Impermanence: Life’s Eternal Truth

Life is transient—this timeless truth echoes vividly through the profound verse from Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda:

सर्वे क्षयान्ताः निचयाः पतनान्ता समुच्छ्रयाः।

संयोगा विप्रयोगान्ता मरणान्तं च जीवितम्।।2.105.16।।

'Sarve kshayanta nichayah patanantah samucchrayah,
Samyoga viprayoganta maranantam cha jivitam.'

In these two succinct lines lies a vast ocean of wisdom about the ephemeral nature of existence. The verse encapsulates a fundamental principle of Hindu philosophy: impermanence. It emphasizes that everything in this world — wealth, power, relationships, and life itself —i s fleeting, destined to end, change, or dissolve.

All Accumulations End in Dissipation (Sarve kshayanta nichayah)

Human beings are naturally inclined to gather possessions and wealth, believing these will offer security and lasting happiness. Yet, the truth revealed in these words reminds us of the inherent decay that awaits every accumulation. History abounds with examples illustrating this stark reality.

Consider the ancient kingdoms and empires — once the pinnacle of global might, now lies in ruins. Their vast accumulation of wealth and territory gradually disintegrated, leaving only historical remnants. Similarly, great dynasties like Maurya and Gupta empires flourished, accumulated unimaginable riches, and then vanished, leaving behind relics that speak of both their grandeur and inevitable decline.

In everyday life, we witness this truth regularly. Wealthy business magnates, acclaimed actors, and powerful political leaders see their amassed fortunes or statuses diminish due to market downturns, changing public sentiment, or simply the unstoppable flow of time. Each individual's experience underscores the verse’s warning: all accumulations eventually dissolve, urging us to seek deeper meaning beyond material possessions.

All Rises End in Fall (Patanantah samucchrayah)

The second phrase reveals the transient nature of success and power. Height, status, position—all are temporary. Every rise in life is ultimately balanced by a fall.

Take Emperor Ashoka, who at one point ruled a vast Indian empire, achieving unparalleled power and wealth. Yet, following his death, his empire rapidly fragmented and diminished. Similarly, Harsha of Kannauj established a remarkable empire across northern India, celebrated for its culture and administration, only for it to disintegrate shortly after his death.

Even in contemporary contexts, we see companies and individuals rising to prominence before spectacularly falling from grace—be it corporate giants collapsing due to mismanagement or sports heroes whose careers fade rapidly due to injury or scandal. The fleeting nature of power, fame, and achievement reminds us to handle success with humility and caution, fully aware that permanence is an illusion.

Every Union Ends in Separation (Samyoga viprayoganta)

Perhaps most intimately painful is the truth that every relationship formed carries within it the seeds of eventual separation. Human relationships—friendships, marriages, familial bonds—are sources of deep joy and fulfillment, yet all are destined to experience separation through various circumstances such as misunderstanding, distance, or ultimately, death.

For instance, close childhood friendships that promise eternal bonds often fade with time as individuals grow apart due to divergent paths. Even the deepest love relationships—such as between Lord Rama and Sita, whose poignant separation is narrated in the very epic this verse is from—eventually face profound trials of separation.

In our personal lives, the pain of losing loved ones to death vividly demonstrates this reality. Each departure underscores the importance of valuing relationships while they last, nurturing them with compassion, and yet holding them gently, knowing separation is inevitable.

Life Inevitably Ends in Death (Maranantam cha jivitam)

The final part of this verse boldly states the most universal truth: life itself is temporary, inevitably culminating in death. This stark yet profound reality forms the very foundation of many philosophical and spiritual teachings across cultures.

Death spares no one—rich or poor, powerful or humble. The ancient Indian king Yudhishthira, asked by Yaksha about the greatest wonder, profoundly replied that though people see death all around, they live as if immortal. Such denial of mortality, though comforting momentarily, blinds us to the deeper truths of existence.

Consider great sages like Adi Shankaracharya who continuously reminded humanity about the inevitability of death. Their teachings encourage people not to fear death but to use awareness of mortality as motivation to live ethical, meaningful lives. Realizing life's fragility propels one toward spiritual awakening, kindness, and the pursuit of truth beyond material attachments.

Lessons and Reflections for Modern Life

Understanding and accepting impermanence does not mean cultivating despair; rather, it inspires us to appreciate every moment more fully, live more authentically, and love more deeply. The transient nature of life invites us to examine our priorities. Do we chase fleeting pleasures, or do we seek lasting fulfillment through wisdom, compassion, and inner peace?

This verse from Valmiki Ramayana gently urges us toward spiritual maturity. It teaches detachment—not cold indifference, but a wise and compassionate detachment that appreciates and enjoys the temporal world without clinging desperately to it. With awareness of impermanence, we learn to approach success humbly, handle loss gracefully, nurture relationships genuinely, and face life's end courageously.

In conclusion, this timeless verse from Valmiki Ramayana is a profound reminder of the ephemeral nature of life, power, wealth, and relationships. By deeply internalizing this truth, we can navigate the impermanence of existence with grace, wisdom, and genuine peace, transforming life's inevitable endings into meaningful journeys toward spiritual realization.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi