Have you noticed? People have stopped truly thinking for themselves. The air is filled with loud opinions, yet the mind is eerily silent.
I’m not one of them — and perhaps, if you’re reading this, neither are you.
In Indian mythology, Lord Shiva stands as the embodiment of Boiragyo — a free-thinking state of mind, untouched by the lure of materialism, unafraid to wander beyond the known. It’s not escapism. It’s clarity. The kind of mental liberation that makes service with no strings and return expected (Seva) and devotion (Bhakti) not duties, but natural extensions of one’s being.
There is no precise English translation for Boiragyo. It’s not just “detachment” — it’s a luminous independence of thought, a refusal to be enslaved by illusions. And the truth is, each of us carries a spark of it.
But here’s the paradox: humans have survived not on Boiragyo alone. We’re an intricate blend of mental strengths. The other great force, equally revered in mythology, is Byabostha, embodied by Lord Vishnu — the guardian of order, the preserver of life, the architect of stability. Without Byabostha, Boiragyo could drift into chaos. Without Boiragyo, Byabostha could calcify into lifeless routine.
When the two dance together, humanity thrives. When they fall out of step, we lose our rhythm.
The Blueprint Nature Gave Us
From a global perspective, human beings are nature’s most advanced tool — capable of intellect and emotion, able to shape the destiny of the planet. Nature doesn’t operate on quarterly reports; it thinks in Yugas. Each generation inherits not only a planet but a responsibility: to protect and evolve it.
At the granular level, that responsibility translates into daily decisions — how we think, feel, act and preserve. The Boiragyo mindset lets us see beyond conventions, question norms and envision better futures. The Byabostha mindset helps us preserve what matters and sustain the structures that hold life together.
In theory, they should work in unison. In practice, they’ve drifted apart.
The Modern Misalignment
Our age is dominated by a distorted Byabostha. Instead of preserving truth, beauty and harmony, we preserve comfort zones. Instead of sustaining what elevates life, we sustain habits that dull it.
Why?
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Industrialization & Consumerism have equated “progress” with speed, convenience and acquisition.
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Technology Dependence has outsourced not just our tasks but our mental agility and memory.
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Fear of Loss makes us cling to safety and avoid risks that might lead to genuine growth.
Everyday Proof of the Drift
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In Careers – We settle for high-paying but purposeless jobs because uncertainty feels like a threat.
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In Relationships – We avoid emotional discomfort, ghost instead of confronting and prefer surface harmony over real connection.
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In Health – We know what’s good for us (real food, movement, mindfulness) but choose what’s easy because breaking habits feels unbearable.
This isn’t preservation in the Vishnu sense — it’s stalling. A quiet surrender to mediocrity disguised as stability.
The Forgotten Strengths of Being Human
We are born with treasures: Love, Peace, Happiness, Purity of Soul and Energy. They’re not decorative values; they’re tools for survival and elevation.
Yet, these qualities fall into two categories:
| Quality | Primary Nature | How It Lives in Us | Current Misuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Love | Attitudinal & Actionable | Acts of care, empathy, sacrifice | Reduced to convenience-based affection |
| Peace | State of Mind (needs upkeep) | Calm clarity within chaos | Outsourced to vacations & distractions |
| Happiness | State of Mind (action influenced) | Contentment beyond possessions | Dependent on external validation |
| Purity of Soul | Attitudinal & Actionable | Integrity in thought & deed | Compromised for quick gains |
| Energy | Attitudinal & Actionable | Physical & mental vitality | Squandered on overstimulation |
Where They Belong in the Mythic Balance
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Boiragyo draws on: Peace, Happiness, Purity of Soul → fuels vision, clarity and fearless exploration.
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Byabostha draws on: Love, Energy, Purity of Soul → sustains relationships, systems and collective stability.
Notice the overlap? Purity of Soul sits at the heart of both — the ethical spine without which vision becomes fantasy and preservation becomes corruption.
The Science Behind the Myth
Neuroscience echoes this ancient wisdom.
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Boiragyo-like thinking engages the default mode network and prefrontal cortex, allowing for creativity and long-term perspective.
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Byabostha-like stability relies on the limbic system and habit circuits, ensuring continuity and resilience.
The problem? Modern life overstimulates the limbic system with fear and gratification, leaving the creative networks underused.
Breaking the Cycle
The goal isn’t to reject Byabostha. Without stability, free thinking collapses. But stability must serve vision — not suffocate it.
Small but radical shifts can restore the balance:
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In work → Question the why, not just the how fast.
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In relationships → Have the uncomfortable conversation instead of avoiding it.
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In lifestyle → Pick the nourishing choice even when it’s inconvenient.
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In thought → Practice mental minimalism — fewer distractions, deeper reflections.
Why It Matters Now
If we continue to choose preservation of comfort over preservation of truth, we risk becoming a civilisation that’s efficient but soulless, connected but shallow, informed but unwise.
Shiva and Vishnu were never rivals. One births the vision; the other nurtures it. Our modern tragedy is that we’ve built preservation systems without a guiding vision. We have order without purpose, and comfort without meaning.
Disclaimer
This article draws on Indian mythological symbolism and author's understanding as a philosophical framework, not as a theological claim. The psychological interpretations are for reflective purposes and not a substitute for professional mental health or spiritual guidance.
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