Eventually, frustrated and disheartened, Babur returned to Fergana, hoping to reclaim his lost kingdom. Unfortunately, fate dealt him another harsh blow, and he suffered a resounding defeat. Left with no other choice, Babur escaped with a small group of loyal followers and sought refuge in the rugged mountains of Central Asia, relying on the hospitality of local tribes. Enduring poverty and humiliation, Babur gradually lost hope of ever reclaiming his beloved homeland. And this meant he was going further away from his Heart Space.
Rejecting the Inner Calling: Babur’s Struggles and Pursuit of Power
Babur writes in his memoirs that he had an ascetic-spiritual tendency which was unnatural amongst his war mongering clan. One would then imagine that this failure as a warrior was a good time for him to introspect and pursue his inner calling. Yet, instead of embracing his spiritual side, he succumbed to the prevailing trend of pederasty, a practice favored by the Central Asian aristocracy of that time. He developed a strong infatuation for a young sixteen-year-old boy and also entered into several marriages. In a life dominated by bisexual relationships and a relentless pursuit of power, Babur buried his asceticism and humanity.
Gradually, Babur shifted his focus toward building a formidable army and seeking his fortunes elsewhere. He successfully captured Afghanistan, but remained disdainful of the vices and luxuries prevalent in Herat and Kabul. He found liquor and intoxicants repulsive, distancing himself from such indulgences.
Babur’s gaze then turned towards India, where the northern regions were under the rule of Ibrahim Lodi. Invited by those who opposed Lodi, Babur attempted to conquer Delhi. However, he faced initial failures. In 1524, when his army was defeated by Lodi, Babur responded by inflicting devastating damage upon the city of Lahore, resulting in the loss of countless innocent lives. Two years later, equipped with artillery and cannons that were unknown to the Indian army at the time, Babur emerged victorious in the first Battle of Panipat, defeating Lodi. He further defeated Rana Sangha of Mewar, once again leveraging his superior artillery. With these victories, Babur became the undisputed ruler of Northern India.
Heart Space living is the right thing to do
One might assume that Babur now had ample reasons to be content. But, ironically, he now began to drink, host wine parties and take opium and other narcotics. And still, this newfound lifestyle – of sense gratification and constant struggle – did not bring him happiness. Historian Abraham Eraly reveals that even amidst his success in India, Babur lamented his failure to reclaim Samarkand. His heart longed for what he could not attain elsewhere. Babur’s life and exploits resonate with a verse from the Bhagavad Gita (18.34): “But that determination by which one clings to selfish results in religion, economic development, and egoistic gratification is of the nature of passion.”
Understanding why Babur wasn’t content isn’t a challenging task. Greek philosopher Epictetus provides the answer: “Happiness and personal fulfillment are the natural consequences of doing the right thing.”
To be continued…
