You are about to step on an imaginary extension of the Prime Meridian. I was told so by our younger daughter-in-law,
Archana. It was our first day in London
and we went for a walk on Thames Path. The above was spoken when we were in
front of North Greenwich Underground Station. To tell the truth, I was awe
struck because I could not believe that
life was about to teach me another lesson; a lesson based upon the universe,
a creation of the God Almighty; a creation which the mankind endeavor to
unravel by their imagination and submission.
What a beautiful way to learn a lesson? I thought. As
beautiful as God’s own creation was the reply. World is a classroom and life is your teacher. It added.
My thoughts still immersed in the
beauty of God’s creation, I went along few black and white lines which were supposed to be the
imaginary extension of the Prime Meridian or Zero Degree Longitude. Written
towards the end was something which made me bow in front of an invincible power
called Time.
What strong hand can hold Time’s swift foot back?
--- William Shakespeare
Taken from Sonnet 65 written by William Shakespeare, it brings out a time
tested universal truth; Time is
invincible and no force can hold it back. Towards end of the Sonnet, Shakespeare explains that there
is a chance of a mortal being facing time without being destroyed, which in his case is
through his verse.
Deep Thoughts once again! The power of Kaala Chakram (Wheel of Time) and Kaala Garbham(The immense magnitude of Time) has been amply
explained in our vedic scriptures. It
will not be an exaggeration to say that there is no element in this universe
which has not come face to face with Time in one way or the other; as the
ultimate conqueror, creator, destroyer or healer. Vast empires and vibrant
civilizations which were thought to be permanent could not withstand the test
of time and had to be engulfed in Kaala
Garbham to come up again in some other form in conformity with Kaala Chakram. It was made clear from
time immemorial that all that which a mere mortal builds through generations
and lets his ego inflate, can be brought to a naught by Time in a split second.
Time is benevolent as well. If it wishes so, a new generation and a
new civilization can take birth and flourish out of nowhere.
Truth is Simple. Every life is governed by Time and is embodied in the
bodies itself. Even those creatures which cannot read time through machines
read it through nature and go about their routine with clockwork precision.
That is the all pervasiveness of Time.
The above thoughts were very
young in my mind when I visited Royal Observatory and stood next to the Prime Meridian
or Zero Degree Longitude and the origin of Greenwich Mean Time. I kept standing there for a long time thinking
of the contributions of mathematicians, astrologers, astronomers, mariners,
voyagers, seafarers and knowledge seekers of the world who helped in devising a
common system of time; connecting humanity without any barriers of boundaries
or belonging; of establishing time zones for use and comfort of people to learn
and earn and to travel through continents and time zones as easily as one does
from one room to another at his home.
Last but not the least, the larger than life role played by the Time in
our lives was made evident through their endeavors.
The Sun Dials, huge chronometers
with pulleys and gears, some basic and some advanced, which led to the modern
digital watches were all there to see and take a flight into the past.
More than going into the past, I visualized being drawn towards a huge globe with
the Prime Meridian prominently etched on it and there I stood having a
bird’s eye view of the Earth. I floated across Longitudes, Latitudes,
Continents, Countries, Oceans, Seas, Rivers, Mountains and Forests.
Is it possible? I asked.
Certainly. Did you ever imagine that one day you will be standing on
the Prime Meridian? I am sure you did not. Likewise, you may be able to do so.
Keep your imagination healthy. A voice answered.
Above all, learn to respect the power of Time. It will respect you said
the voice and became silent.
I stared into the sky and nodded
my head. The heavenly bodies who were in the know of everything about Time read my thoughts silently.
