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Rahim and Marcus Aurelius had identical thoughts

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Rahiman dhaga prem ka, mat todo chatkaay—don’t break the thread of love, says Indian poet Rahim.

Kamlesh Tripathi

    The wisdom of Indian poet Rahim (officially titled Khan-i-Khanan, meaning ‘Khan of Khans’) and Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, though separated by centuries, cultures, and geography, can be beautifully tied together through their shared understanding of human relationships.

    Rahim sees ‘human relationship’ as a delicate thread of love. Whereas Marcus Aurelius sees human beings as branches of one great tree. For Rahim, when the thread breaks, it may be tied again, but the knot remains. For Marcus Aurelius, when a branch is separated from the tree, it may be grafted back, but it will never be quite the same as a branch that continued to grow in natural unity with the tree.

    Both are therefore saying something very profound. We are all well-connected, but the breaking of that connection has consequences not only for the other person but also for your own self. Rahim’s popular couplet (Doha) says:

    “Rahiman dhaga prem ka, mat todo chatkaay;

     Toote se phir na jude, jude gaanth pari jaay.”

    Do not break the thread of love abruptly. Once broken, it may be joined again, but the knot will remain.

    Marcus Aurelius extends this idea from personal love to the whole of society. A person who hates or withdraws from another human being is like a branch cutting itself away from the tree. In separating himself from his neighbour, he unknowingly separates himself from the larger human community.

    Both Rahim and Marcus offer wisdom, hope and caution. A broken branch can sometimes be grafted back; and a broken relationship can sometimes be restored. Human beings possess the extraordinary capacity to forgive, reconcile and begin again. But repeated breaks make restoration increasingly difficult.

    Perhaps the two metaphors can therefore be joined into one: Love is the thread that binds the branches of humanity into one tree. When we break the thread, we wound a relationship. When we cut ourselves away from another person, we wound the larger tree of society. We may later tie the thread or graft the branch back, but the knot or scar always reminds us of what had happened.

    That is why the wisdom of both Rahim and Marcus Aurelius ultimately teaches us not merely to repair relationships, but to protect them before they break.

    Rahim gives us the thread. Marcus gives us the tree. Together they give us a philosophy of human connectedness: we belong to one another, and every unnecessary separation diminishes the whole.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, poet and columnist Kamlesh Tripathi

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EVERGREEN TEACHINGS OF ROMAN EMPEROR AND PHILOSOPHER MARCUS AURELIUS … by Kamlesh Tripathi

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EVERGREEN TEACHINGS OF ROMAN EMPEROR AND PHILOSOPHER MARCUS AURELIUS

Kamlesh Tripathi

   “He that is unjust is also impious. For the nature of the universe, having made all reasonable creatures one for another, to the end that they should do one another good, more or less according to the several persons and occasions, but in nowise hurt one another.” These profound words of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of Rome, in his ninth book, continue to resonate with remarkable relevance even after two thousand years.

    They summarise the Stoic philosophy that justice is not merely a social virtue but a hallowed obligation. To be unjust is not only to wrong another human being, but is also to violate the divine order upon which the universe was founded. In a world increasingly polarised by selfishness, conflict, and indifference, this timeless teaching reminds us that our true purpose lies in cooperation, compassion, and mutual respect.

    Marcus Aurelius reckoned humanity as a single family. Every individual, irrespective of nationality, religion, race, or social standing, is gifted with reason. He therefore belongs to the same global community. Just as the organs of the human body work together for the well-being of the whole body, human beings are also intended to support one another.

    The eyes don’t compete with the hands. The heart doesn’t envy the lungs. Every organ performs its duty faithfully in the interest of the body. Likewise, society flourishes only when its members work in tandem and not in opposition. Aurelius’ contention that an unjust person is also impious tells us that morality is inseparable from spirituality. People think that piety consists merely of rituals, prayers, or visits to places of worship. Marcus Aurelius challenges this notion. A person who cheats, deceives, exploits, or humiliates is not morally and spiritually close to the Almighty.

    True worship resonates in one’s conduct. Every act of fairness, honesty, kindness, and generosity is an act of universal brotherhood. Conversely, every deliberate act of cruelty or injustice is an affront towards mankind. Modern society considers personal success above collective welfare. Ambition, competition, and material achievement are praised, sometimes at the expense of integrity and compassion.

    Marcus Aurelius warns us that success loses its value when it is built on another person’s suffering. Wealth acquired through exploitation, power gained through deception, or fame achieved by trampling upon others may seem impressive, but they leave the soul impoverished. Justice is the true measure of greatness. Another important aspect of this passage is the phrase, “more or less according to the several persons and occasions,” as people speak differently to different people depending upon their status and the occasion.

    Marcus Aurelius acknowledges that not everyone has the same abilities, resources, or opportunities. A king, a teacher, a physician, a labourer, or a parent each contribute to society differently. It is not the magnitude of one’s contribution but the sincerity with which one fulfils one’s duty that matters. A smile, a comforting word, an honest day’s work, or a helping hand may be as valuable as grand acts of charity. Every person has the wherewithal to make someone else’s life better. Equally significant is Aurelius’ exhortation that we should “in nowise hurt one another.” Harm is not confined to physical violence alone. Words can wound, prejudice can exclude, dishonesty can erode trust, and indifference can deepen suffering. In today’s well-connected world, where communication travels in lightning speed across continents, the responsibility to act with kindness and restraint is far greater than ever. Before speaking or acting, we should ask ourselves whether our conduct contributes to harmony or to division. History repeatedly warns about the consequences of abandoning justice. Wars, oppression, discrimination, corruption, and social unrest often begin with the belief that some lives matter less than others. Against this destructive tendency, Marcus Aurelius offers a simple yet powerful principle. Recognise the common humanity that binds us all. Differences in culture, belief, or status should never obscure our shared dignity. The teachings of Marcus Aurelius are both practical and relevant even today.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Film Review: The Odyssey 2026 … by Kamlesh Tripathi

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The Odyssey 2026

‘It has mythology, adventure and morality. Reminds you of Gulliver’s Travels, Marcus Aurelius and the epic Ramayana.’

Kamlesh Tripathi

      Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026) is far more than a cinematic adaptation of Homer’s epic. It offers amazing visuals and emotional storytelling, turning Odysseus’s ten-year legendary voyage into a powerful exploration.  Shot entirely on IMAX 70 mm film, the movie has been praised for its breathtaking scale, emotional depth, and ambitious storytelling, with critics calling it one of Nolan’s finest works.

    Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus (the legendary Greek King of Ithaca and a veteran of the Trojan War) could have been better. Rather than presenting him as an invincible warrior, the film shows him as a leader whose greatest battles are against temptation, pride, grief, and despair.

    Christopher Nolan’s direction places greater emphasis on the psychological dimension of the story. The action sequences are spectacular, but the quieter moments, such as Odysseus questioning his choices, Penelope’s unwavering hope, and Telemachus’s search for his father, carry the emotional weight. Ludwig Göransson’s score and Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography elevate the myth into an immersive cinematic experience.

    The film is not without criticism. Some reviewers found parts of the dialogue overly modern or felt that certain characters deserved more intricacy. A few classicists also questioned aspects of the adaptation’s historical interpretation. Even so, the overall critical response has been overwhelmingly positive.  

    As a film, The Odyssey succeeds because it combines breathtaking spectacle with timeless questions about identity, perseverance, and responsibility. Viewed through the lens of Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, it becomes more than an adventure film.  

    If Homer’s epic poem Odyssey is the story of a hero’s journey, Marcus Aurelius reminds us that the greatest journey is not across the sea, but within the mind. Nolan’s film exquisitely brings these two ideas together. In nearly three hours, the movie takes you through as if it were the seven seas.

    It reminds you of the voyages in Gulliver’s Travels and the voyage of Captain Popanilla. The film also evokes memories of the great voyages of exploration undertaken by Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and British explorer Captain James Cook, who charted parts of New Zealand and Australian coastlines for Britain. The movie ends with the climactic slaughter of Penelope’s suitors, recalling the final triumph of righteousness in the Ramayana, where evil is decisively defeated after a long journey of suffering.

    One of the film’s greatest strengths is its portrayal of the legendary places and creatures from Greek mythology. The Island of the Cyclops introduces Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant. Odysseus defeats him through intelligence rather than brute strength. However, his pride in revealing his name leads to Poseidon’s wrath, teaching that arrogance often creates unnecessary suffering. Aeaea, the island of the witch Circe, presents temptation in the form of comfort and pleasure. Circe transforms Odysseus’s men into pigs, but with the help of Hermes, Odysseus resists her magic. The island symbolises the danger of losing one’s humanity by surrendering to desire.

    The Island of the Sirens tests self-control. The Sirens promise forbidden knowledge and irresistible pleasure through their enchanting songs. Odysseus orders his crew to plug their ears with wax while he is tied to the mast so he can hear the song without acting on temptation. This becomes one of the greatest examples of discipline. Scylla and Charybdis represent two unavoidable dangers. Scylla, the six-headed sea monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool, force Odysseus to choose the lesser of two evils. The scene reflects one of life’s harsh truths. Sometimes wisdom means accepting an imperfect choice rather than waiting for a perfect one. The Island of Helios, where the sacred cattle graze, becomes a lesson in obedience. Despite Odysseus’s warning, his starving crew kills the cattle. Zeus punishes them, and the entire crew perishes. The episode demonstrates how a single act of greed can destroy years of effort. Ogygia, the island of the nymph Calypso, offers immortality and eternal comfort. Calypso promises Odysseus freedom from suffering if he stays with her forever. Yet he chooses mortality and hardship because his true duty is to return to his family and kingdom. This is perhaps the film’s most moving lesson about purpose overcoming pleasure.

    The movie can be linked to several other sea voyages and the teachings of Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius believed in endurance in hardship, mastery over desire, duty above comfort, humility and wisdom while making difficult choices. According to this, Odysseus’s journey becomes a lesson in Stoicism.

    Odysseus’s encounters with strange islands inevitably recall Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. He visits Lilliput, where he comes across tiny people. Then he visits Brobdingnag, the land of giants; Glubbdubdrib, the land of magicians; and the Houyhnhnms’ Land of intelligent horses.

    Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is ultimately less about defeating monsters than confronting the weaknesses within ourselves. Pride, temptation, fear and despair become the real adversaries. By blending Greek mythology with timeless questions of duty, resilience and self-mastery, Nolan delivers an epic that is both visually magnificent and intellectually rewarding. It is a film that deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.

    The Odyssey with Gulliver’s Travels makes for a very interesting literary analysis because both are travel narratives in which the hero visits strange islands, meets unusual beings, and learns important lessons about human nature. However, their purposes are different. The Odyssey is based on Greek mythology. It features gods, monsters, witches and magical creatures. It focuses on courage, loyalty, family, and perseverance. The goal is to return home (Ithaca). Whereas Gulliver’s Travels and The Voyage of Captain Popanilla by Benjamin Disraeli are political and social satire. It uses imaginary societies to criticise human pride, politics, science, and war. The goal is not to return home but to expose the flaws of humanity. Don’t miss The Odyssey.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Like it and Share it

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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