As Much as God Winds the Key, So Long We Move

There was a song in the film Andha Kanoon:

Learn to smile through tears,
And to accept tears while smiling.
As much as the Lord has wound the key,
That much the toy shall move.

How beautifully the poet expressed such a profound truth in such simple words. None of us knows when the call from Yama (the god of death) will come. How much “key” God has wound within us—that secret is known only to Him.

Even though we all understand this reality, we still indulge in conflict, rivalry, and bitterness. Brothers quarrel with each other. In the race to earn more money, we do not hesitate to lie or behave unfairly. Ego grows so large that pulling others down becomes our only goal. We often realize our mistakes only when we are close to our final moments.

At the cremation ground, when people gather for the last rites, they speak very wisely. They advise each other to live rightly, to avoid wrongdoing, and to maintain harmony. Such positive thoughts arise because witnessing someone’s final departure shakes us deeply. We cannot deny that one day, we too will be carried on four shoulders to the same place. Elderly people often take an active part in such discussions—and rightly so, for they have seen and understood much in life. But once the rituals are over and people leave the cremation ground, they soon return to the same chaos and routine of life.

We hear many stories of people who passed away young—despite being healthy, disciplined, and free from bad habits. At the same time, there are many who live long and healthy lives. Ultimately, it all comes down to this: life lasts only as long as God has wound the key.

If we keep God in our hearts, treat everyone with kindness, and never hesitate to help those in need, we can surely live a happy life. In one discourse, a speaker said something very meaningful:
“Grant us devotion, grant us strength, and while we are still walking, grant us liberation.”
No one desires death, but if in our final days we remain healthy and capable of taking care of ourselves, what greater blessing could there be?

Keeping all this in mind, it becomes essential that we take full care of our physical and mental health. We should not become complacent thinking that since the key of life is in God’s hands, there is nothing for us to do. Our goal should be to remain happy and healthy until we reach the final stage of life’s journey.

At this stage of life, it hardly matters whether our house is big or small, or how much wealth we possess. There are no longer desires to buy new clothes or dine in fancy restaurants. The only aim should be to remain happy, stay healthy, and not become a burden on anyone. Build friendships with people of your age, create WhatsApp groups, talk freely, meet often, celebrate together, sing, dance—live fully. Do not worry about what others will say. This life is yours, and you alone have the right over it. Everything else is God’s grace.

Let us perform good deeds and pray to God that He winds the key in our lives just right.