A song to awaken the modern human self?

I have enjoyed this song since Masan came, but last Saturday it occured to me in absolutely different tune. I kind of peeled another layer and a new meaning became visible to me through the song.

For me this song, in a simple yet profound way summarises the predicament
of the modern human selves,
the self which is in incessant pursuit.

a search for infinite in the finite world 

a search for happiness in material wealth.

Not realising that wealth comes from well being

and well-being is a state of being

and so is happiness.

The world has always been an illusionary reality
to seek its true meaning, one would need to go beyond it

Modernity with its sophisticated ways
has just expanded its influence on the selves
In a way that we are always running
And yet getting nowhere.

This song showed the mirror to me
See if it does to you?
If yes, we will sing it along..

Here's the song, lean in..listen.

Beginning with setting the metaphor of musk deer, the song sets the context of modern selves.

पाट ना पाया मीठा पानी
पाट ना पाया मीठा पानी
ओर-छोर की दूरी रे

Even the sweet water can't get 

the two sides of the river to meet

मन कस्तूरी रे, जग दस्तूरी रे

मन कस्तूरी रे, जग दस्तूरी रे
बात हुई ना पूरी रे

The conversation of truth doesn't get complete

With the outer pursuits of the mind

Looking for happiness & contentment outside

While everything is inside. 

खोजे अपनी गंध ना पावे
चादर का पैबंद ना पावे
बिखरे बिखरे छंद सा टहले
दो होवें यह बांध ना पावें

Like the musk deer who keeps dancing 

To the essence/odour 

Not realising it was right within him

In the navel.
Like a broken verse
That can't be sung.

नाचे होके फिरकी लट्टू ओह

नाचे होके फिरकी लट्टू
खोजे अपनी रूड़ी रे

Dances like a revolving top

looking for its own axis

मन कस्तूरी रे, जग दस्तूरी रे

मन कस्तूरी रे, जग दस्तूरी रे
बात हुई ना पूरी रे

--

उम्र की गिनती हाथ ना आई
पुरखों ने यह बात बताई

उल्टा करके देख सके तो
अंबर भी है गहरी खाई

In this era, we are constantly told 'Sky is the limit', 

Aspire for the top 

Climb high 

Pursue success.  

Not realising sky is also a trap, 

Pursuit for outer success traps

In a vicious cycle that 

sucks out meaning out of life.

Modernity seeks to severe our bonds with the wisdom of our ancestors. 

Not paying attention to the wisdom 

we are just ageing and not growing.

we run and run 

the conveyor belt escalator

seeking that one day 

when we will have found happiness.

रेखाओं के पार नज़र को
जिसने फेंका अंधे मन से
सतरंगी बेज़ार का खोला
दरवाज़ा ..

Eyes is the most important sense here. 

Look around, through our eyes we are caught into 

believing the illusionary reality. 

Did you notice the advertisements that we are shown 

On the billboards, on the metro trains, on our gmail accounts 

and on the tv?

When the mind is asleep, what we see glittering 

through the eyes 

We get sold at the rainbowy market.

Although we think we are ones who is buying/selling

The truth is we get sold and bought. 

.. बिन ज़ोर जतन के हे

फिर तो झूमा पागल होके

फिर तो झूमा पागल होके
सर पे डाल फितूरी रे

And you know what's the fun part

There is no force that's put, no effort

Remember how emperors had to fight such fierce battles 

To enslave a populace, remember Alexander or Ashoka or Babur?

But remember how the Europeans came as shopkeepers 

And colonised our minds. 

And with even less effort came the Americans 

with the agenda of development.

And enslaved our souls.

So without much ado, force, effort - we get sold and bought. 

(We here - all of 'humanity')

And we dance to the tunes of modernity. 

With such intense passion, like a madman

To earn a livelihood

And to spend to live a life of joy. 

मन कस्तूरी रे, जग दस्तूरी रे
बात हुई ना पूरी रे

The conversation of truth isn't complete

With the outer pursuits of the mind

Looking for happiness, contentment outside

While everything is inside

like the musk deer who keeps dancing 

to the odour

Not realising it was right in him

In the navel. 

So what does a journey to contentment, harmony, joy, happiness look like?

Shall we walk along?

Would you sing too?

मन कस्तूरी रे, जग दस्तूरी रे

बात हुई ना, बात हुई ना

बात हुई ना पूरी रे

# The song is part of the film Masaan, written by Varun Grover and composed & sung by Indian Ocean.