Life is not decided by lines on a palm but by the power of the

“Life is not decided by lines on a palm but by the power of the will, hard work, and discipline.” These words from the great Milkha Singh strike to the heart of an ancient truth — that life is not shaped by fate or the stars, nor by the signs found in the palm of a hand, but by the strength of the human will and the effort we put into forging our own path. The ancient Greeks understood this well. Heraclitus, a philosopher of profound insight, spoke of life as a river in constant flow, where change is inevitable, but it is the individual's actions, guided by will and discipline, that determine whether they thrive or sink. Destiny is not some fixed course, but a series of decisions, each influenced by our ability to focus, to strive, and to persevere.

In the stories of the ancients, the idea of fate was often seen as a force to be challenged. Achilles, the great hero of the Iliad, was told of his inevitable death at Troy, yet it was not the certainty of his fate that defined him, but his choices in battle, his will to become the greatest warrior, and the discipline he showed on the field. Similarly, Milkha Singh, who rose from the devastation of personal tragedy and national adversity, exemplified this very principle. From the untold hardships of his youth, Singh did not look to the lines on his palm or the whims of fate. Instead, he transformed his destiny through relentless hard work, willpower, and unyielding discipline in the sport of athletics, carving out a place for himself among the world's greats.

Singh’s journey is a living testament to the truth that we are the architects of our own fate. Born into poverty and faced with the horrors of partition, where he witnessed the death of his family, he could have been consumed by grief and despair. But instead, he turned his pain into power, using his will to drive him through grueling training and countless obstacles. Singh became the Flying Sikh, setting records and conquering international tracks not through luck, but through unrelenting effort and focus. His life proves that the key to success is not found in the hand of fate, but in the strength of one's resolve.

Throughout history, the most revered figures — whether they were warriors, poets, or leaders — understood the value of discipline in shaping their destinies. Mahatma Gandhi, though not a warrior by sword, shaped a nation with the power of his will and discipline. He did not wait for fate to free India from colonial rule; he worked tirelessly, leading through nonviolence, showing the world that personal discipline and collective action can move mountains. It was the unwavering strength of his will and his ability to inspire discipline in his followers that brought about one of the most significant changes in modern history.

Thus, Milkha Singh’s words echo the wisdom of the ancients, urging us to look beyond the illusions of fate and the uncertain lines of our palms. Our power lies not in the forces outside of us, but in the choices we make and the dedication we show to our goals. Hard work, discipline, and a resolute will are the true architects of success, and it is through them that we carve our paths, no matter the challenges that lay before us. The future is not dictated by what is written on our hands, but by what we choose to write in our hearts.

May we take these words to heart and live with the understanding that our fate is not sealed, but is shaped by our hands, by the power of our will, and the discipline we carry within. It is through these qualities that we can overcome any adversity, rise to any challenge, and carve out our own place in the world.