Life is a hurdle race

There is a Sanskrit sloka about Sun god as in Hindu mythology

एकचक्रो रथो यन्ता विकलो विषमे हयाः।

आक्रामत्येव तेजस्वी तथाप्यर्को नभस्तलम्॥

ekachakro ratho yantā vikalo viṣame hayāḥ|

ākrāmatyeva tejasvī tathāpyarko nabhastalam||

Sun god is said to have a chariot with only one wheel, a disabled charioteer ( अरुणः had impaired limb), and the chariot was drawn by  an odd number of horses (seven). Despite these the brilliant Sun always attacks the sky (to dispel darkness)

Notice the many hurdles. His journey spans across the universe. One wheel does not give any stability, odd number of horses hampers coordination and direction and as if his woes are not complete his driver has a physical disability. Yet the Sun god undertakes the eternal journey successfully day after day undeterred by these obstacles.

Like Sun god exists with his impediments, there is also no human life without its hurdles. Be one high or low, rich or poor, man or woman, young or old there are always obstacles in the way. What may be a small hurdle for one may be big for another but no life is free from hurdles. Their nature and intensity may vary according to one’s preparedness, attitude and mental ability to overcome them. Have you ever pondered over what would life be without obstacles?

I read in the net the question posed by a Rabbi and his own answer on an event in Olympics where people run, jump over hurdles and race to the finish line. His question was would it not be easier to simply remove the hurdles or remove the obstacles? Wouldn't that make more sense?

His own answer was "That is the event! The hurdles are the event, overcoming these obstacles is the whole point of the event. Remove the obstacles and you have negated the entire event.”

It would be fair to say then that life is an event designed by god with obstacles (remember karma theory or as you sow, so you reap belief) and if you remove them then it is no life at all. Imagine a life for everyone without hurdles of any type; it would be like a frictionless space where particles keep moving with no control what so ever. It would not call for any human effort and everything involuntary. It is a scary thought as life would then be long uncontrolled monotonous boredom. It is the challenges that invest some charm to life and overcoming them makes it interesting. There is also the touching faith in the Providence and hope in the heart that animates life.

How we overcome the hurdles differs from one to the other depending on our attitude towards obstacles, preparedness to meet them and our effort to overcome. But it is on this tripod rests the success or otherwise in life. Life indeed is a hurdle race.