I Am One, Let Me Become Many
On the Spirit of Education and the Expansion of Self
The soul in learning: ever expanding, ever becoming.
The ancient phrase "Eko’ham Bahusyām"—"I am one, may I become many"—originally attributed to the cosmic desire of Brahman, finds profound reflection in the human experience. It signifies the soul's inner yearning to transcend limited individuality and merge with the vast, collective wholeness.
This vision was eloquently articulated by Mahadevi Verma—one of modern India’s greatest literary minds and philosophers.
She reminds us that a human being is forever a learner, a student of thought and emotion, constantly evolving.
“I feel I haven’t even turned the first page of life’s book,”
— Mahadevi Verma
This statement captures the boundless spirit of curiosity and humility that true education demands.
Education, in this light, is not a finite achievement.
It is the very backbone of a nation. It bridges the wisdom of the past with the needs of the present and illuminates the map for the future. Just as the heart pumps fresh blood throughout the body, education sends vibrant thought and creativity into every sphere—governance, science, literature, art, and social consciousness.
If the blood is pure, the body thrives; if it carries disease, the system falters.
Mahadevi ji beautifully articulates that the essence of Vidya—from the Sanskrit root Vid (to know)—is a timeless force that has withstood history's trials. It is not just a tool for livelihood, but a luminous force that guides humanity through storms and stagnation alike.
Animals can be trained through repetition and coercion, but they do not experience inner joy or awakening.
In contrast, human learning—especially that which stirs the soul—brings immense joy and a sense of belonging to something greater.
This spiritual longing, Verma says, births religion, philosophy, literature, and art.
It is not a hunger for information, but for connection, transcendence, and truth.
The desire to "become many" is not about expansion in the material sense,
but the flowering of one’s essence into the shared soul of humanity. In this sense, education is both a preparation for life and its highest calling.
But in today’s world, education often becomes directionless, mechanical, and soulless.
Without purpose, even the best efforts become unstable—like a building built on shaky ground.
Like a rudderless ship, a life without a clear goal drifts with every wind.
But with purpose as our compass, each step becomes sacred.
Mahadevi Verma’s insights remind us that education must not only awaken the intellect but refine the heart.
It must help us live—not merely to survive—but to become, to connect, and to transcend.
In embracing this, we honor the spirit of learning not as a race to the top, but as a path to our shared humanity.
—Inspired by the philosophical vision of Mahadevi Verma
With Learning and becoming,
🌿
It is not a hunger for information, but for connection, transcendence, and truth.
"If the blood is pure, the body thrives; if it carries disease, the system falters." - that really says it all!
Thank you for writing this. 💙