Vanity Fair
I started reading English books with mass-market fiction. One such book was The Carpetbaggers written by American novelist Harold Robbins (1916-1997). I was thrilled by the big life of the characters in the novel. “From New York to LA they brawled, lusted, and carved out an empire, blazoned in banner headlines and their enemies’ blood–only to learn that money and power, revenge and renown were not enough. . .The higher they soared, the more their ambition demanded . . . the darker and deadlier their fiery passions grew.”
“Carpetbagger” was a new word I learnt. In the novel, it was used by Southerners to describe opportunistic Northerners who had come down for business to the Southern States after the American Civil War and were perceived as exploiting the local populace for their own financial, political, and/or social gain. I could see later, people rushing to first Mumbai and then Bengaluru, playing our own Indian version of carpetbagging. Even politicians moved to different states to acquire power at the Centre.
A few years down on my literary road, I had I read The Prize, a novel written by Irving Wallace (1916-1990). This novel delves into the dreams and nightmares of people aspiring for the Nobel Prize, and others in the game of the decision making involved in the Nobel Prize, life in Stockholm, and the state of world politics in the years following World War II. Irving Wallace’s words, “Every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure,” were like a matchstick that lit the tinderbox of my young mind. I would walk and talk vainly.
Providence saved me when I found Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who stripped me off my false notions about myself and put me on a spiritual track. He taught me about the negative power of Iblis (Satan) on the prowl in the mortal world and how he snares people by inflating their egos by false praise and bestowing upon them undeserving appreciation and rewards. I could see thereafter, scientists ruining their careers by believing in their unsound hypotheses without testing them and businesspeople investing in their fantasies. Thanks to Dr Kalam’s presence in my life, I remained grounded and modest.
The lure of money can mask most people’s negative behaviors. It is easy for the financially strong and those in positions of power to get away by doing bad things when they are young. However, when they become old and face problems of their children, they often realize their folly. A whole lot of bad effects on their health like high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, and piles set in. One complication leads to another. I know dozens of my once-upon-a-time high-flyer acquaintances now suffering chronic ailments and living in miserable loneliness.
I relished recently reading the spiritual classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That Which Is to Come, written by English writer and Puritan preacher John Bunyan (1628-1688). Written as an allegory, the book presents complex theological ideas in a captivating story form. As reported by The Guardian, a British newspaper founded in 1821, “there’s no book in English, apart from the Bible to equal Bunyan’s masterpiece for the range of its readership.”
The protagonist of the book is a poor married man with four children, named Christian, who feels the “burden” of his sins and undertakes a journey from his hometown, the “City of Destruction” (which means this world), to the “Celestial City” (the afterlife Heaven) atop Mount Zion. He faces difficulties, obstructions, and outright opposition from evil forces. The path of the pilgrim crosses the Town of Vanity. There is a festive market in which, every sort of vanity is sold, and it is open all year-long. It struck me that we all are living in a Vanity Fair, which is not only a year-long event but is open 24×7.
I had read some time ago, a beautiful novel written by Tom Wolfe (1930-2018) The Bonfire of the Vanities, portraying life in New York City in the 1980s, driven by ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed. It was later made into a Hollywood film of the same name, starring Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis in their early careers. “Bullshit reigns,” says police detective Martin in the novel.
Dictionaries describe vanity as inflated pride in oneself or one’s appearance. It is something that is vain, empty, or valueless. It covers a very wide terrain – from dresses, cosmetics, to mannerisms, false appearances, and even outright superiority and arrogance. Vanity is essentially false and cannot stand a reality check. Flop films of big movie stars, the defeat of powerful leaders in elections, and the failure of sports heroes are so commonplace.
English writer Jane Austen (1775-1817) in her famous novel, Pride and Prejudice, clarifies, “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.” It gives a big clue. The whole purpose of vanity is a good public image. More important than what “I am” is how “I appear” in public. The number of “Likes” is the new measure of “stature” in the modern world.
Technology companies have very shrewdly snared billions of people through the Internet and established a robust consumer culture with their advertising messages that appeal to physical beauty, and vain achievements. “Honorary Doctorates,” “Life-time achievement Awards,” and “Person of the Year” are auctioned. There are surveys, bogus and dubious, declaring the highest bidder “award” for whatever. “Ratings” mean everything. Being amongst the world’s top 100 will also do if India’s top 10 is costlier.
In 2010, public relations practitioners from 33 countries met in Barcelona, Spain and established seven voluntary guidelines to measure and evaluate communications activity in a meaningful and relevant manner. Known as the Barcelona Principles, these were updated in 2015 and 2020. The idea is that by measuring what is important, and continually testing and validating procedures, the industry can save itself from vanity metrics.
Life is all about outcomes and no output guarantees a peaceful exit from this world, which is essentially a Vanity Fair. Everything here is ephemeral, impermanent, and transient, including one’s health and life. So, be aware of your Immortal Self and mindful of not violating it by being a hypocrite and hankering after false objects, bogus positions, and sinful relations. Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) has declared the secret of a good life with the words, “Or, rather, let us be more simple and less vain.” Try it.
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Your sagely advice on awareness of immortal self in a world of vanity is enlightening, Prof Tiwariji !
Your words of wisdom embedded in the blog goes long way in pursuing good life !!
Respected Arun Tiwari Sir , Thank you very much for such an educating blog. This blogs inspires me to be aspirational to sticking to my immortal self . I do understand one can’t know all about universe, And believe it is not mandatory to know all But there are things that one should & Must know & behave accordingly , One of them is keeping away from ” Vanity ” ,About which you elucidated in blog .
Dear Sir , You articulately distinguishes in blog between Pride & Vanity , Which enables us to be aware of pride & disastrous Vanity. After reading blog I inferred that vanity works like compound interest, It may have its own unique dopamine to catalize & further its process . And yes there are ubiquitous antibiotic to Vanity like disease, One of them is this blog of yours ( If we consider it as a bacterial disease, I am currently reading ” Decoding The Pandemic ” an excellent book , I am enjoying due to simplicity in book like blog , Though I have never touched any biology book after high school due to fear of tough jargon ).
Dear Sir you are a walking encyclopedia of wisdom! , I want you to write one day How you choose & decide subject of blog or chapter of book .
Dear Sir, Thank you so much for a blog on vanity self improvement.The blog brings out the subtle difference between pride and vanity and how one leads(influences) the other. Majority of us suffer from this Vanity syndrome. A guru like you can tell us and keep us rooted to ground. Like PROF APJ helped to get rid of the false notions and to be true to yourself, you are helping all of us through your blog.
As mentioned in the blog, there a no of organisations and institutions which can inflate your ego or pride by their bogus awards and honorary decorations. During my working days I used to get letters from these organisations that I have been picked up by an eminent jury for “HR MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD” and then they expect me to sponsor the whole award function. Some NEWSPAPER names are attached with these awards.
As you have rightly brought out in your blog, everything in this world is temporary and short lived including our health. We all should appreciate the fact that what we know in this world is infinitesimal and there are many who know more and yet maintain a low profile and are always grounded. One simple yet a very powerful take away from this blog is “LET US BE TRUE TO OUSELVES and WHAT I AM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW DO I LOOK FOR OTHERS”. This world is indeed a vanity fair and let us have FAIR VANITY. thank you once again for and educative blog
It’s an excellent piece on vanity and pride. I enjoyed reading it. Initially, I was shocked that you picked Harold Robbins’s novel as he is considered as the popular fiction and romantic novelist. Your analysis on vanity and pride and your last quote by Rousseau are mind blowing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is nice to know how Dr. APJ Kalam has helped you to be grounded.
Prolific writer and sagely writing! Really loved it.
Given the social norm on vanity, understanding “Let us be more simple and less vain” is neither simple nor easy. Thank you, Professor Tiwari, for making us understand it. The narrative before this conclusion is essential for this wisdom to sink in. Focusing on this insight brings sense to our actions. Thanks for guiding us through the labyrinth.
Very perceptive, sublime and evocative write-up, dear Bhai saab!
This world is a game of light and dark. Every bright object has a shadow. The Creator makes us see both sides over many lifetimes- so do the Realised Masters tell us- and then we begin to see the “straight and narrow”, middle path – as Christ himself said, and that narrow path slowly but surely begins to lead us upwards. Every souls path is unique and personal.
Wide is the gate to hell, and narrow is the ‘Dagar pan ghat Ki’ ! There is only room for one on the razors edge.
The sinner, and the ‘repentant reformed’ are both his children. None is to be blamed. Although lesser beings- as we are, are quick to judge.
The father loves all, he is love itself.
I now believe- and so thankful to the Lord for this- that the only thing that counts in this world are love, and kindness. To all. If at all we will be judged, it will be this criterion. We will surely fail, but there are abundant Grace marks in his computer for the prodigal child.
And then Will our Heavenly Father lift us to his bosom.
An eye opener blog. Vanity in people’s lives mostly starts with comparison, pride and admiration of one’s own possessions. This is one of the main sins that plagues humanity today. Much of our country and economy is built on people’s vanities, and it could potentially destroy the world as we know it today.
Vanity is conquering because we can’t admit our wrong deeds. Vanity is creating untrustworthiness among people; it is causing obsession especially with oneself. One must never lose sight of the fact that you are very small in this big old world. You are not good at everything, and there are people out there who know much more than you do. Therefore, be humble and grateful. Vanity is as strong as we let it be, let’s not let it be.
Vanity stems from pride, which is one of the 7 deadly sins. Young people don’t like to admit that they are vain as you so plainly expressed. In fact, the vainest among us are probably the least likely to admit it. It is important to own up to self-preoccupation with ‘looking attractive’ to others. The widespread tendency of advertisers to use brand-name manipulation in the marketplace is indeed a 24×7 vanity fair. People are constantly seeking expensive labels to prove your own worth and success. Thank you for pointing out this very serious problem of our times. Thank you Sir.
Sir, My take-home message is that it is worth taking stock of my own motivations before I make my next sizeable purchase of a brand-name item. Who am I trying to please? Do I feel that I need to look better than other people, and that is why I need that validation of my worth? It is not always necessary that the high-priced item is of better quality, and that my investment will prove worth the financial sacrifice. अपनी प्रेरणाओं को समझने से, मेरे बजट और मेरी स्वयं की छवि, दोनों को फायदा हो सकता है।
Vanity = Low self-esteem + peer pressure + influence of social media.
A lot of people are not content with who they are and what they have, therefore as a safety mechanism, they are becoming more arrogant and paying less attention to reality.
Sir, your blog remind a poem I had read in school:
Let Observation with extensive View,
Survey Mankind from China to Peru.
Remark each anxious Toil, each eager Strife,
And watch the busy scenes of crowded Life.
Then say how Hope and Fear, Desire and Hate,
Overspread with Snares the clouded Maze of Fate.
Where Wavering Man, betrayed by venturous Pride,
To tread the dreary Paths without a Guide.
Thank you for being our guide.
Very thoughtful blog. Let us face it; we live in a world dominated by vanity. We all want to look and feel good, and we will stop at nothing to achieve this. Vanity causes us to go to extremes to fit in, we get into debt to buy that trendy car, we spend our precious time in front of mirrors, we spend more time patting ourselves on the back instead of loving all to be something we are not.
I have recently read an article about social comparison theory. It proposes that people are constantly evaluating themselves in relation to other people. They feel better by viewing themselves as more fortunate than others and feel far worse about hen they see that someone is outdoing them. The article declared downward social comparison as a great coping process because it allows one to view a bad situation by looking at others who are worse off than them.
DEAR ARUN, it was very interesting analysis of vanity, I and them and the societies and countries hypocrisy I was reminded of the novel I read titled VANITY FAIR by British novelist William Makepeace Thackeray (1811 – 1863).
Dear Professor Tiwari, I do not think the comparison of people (excluding mafia) moving to Mumbai and Bengaluru in India with those of opportunistic Northerners moving to South in the USA in the past is fair. The latter went there to exploit the local populace and the former for earning livelihood. These are the people, who are often exploited.
Indeed, Vanity Fair is an on-going 27×7 event. Inflated ambitions, greed, lust for power etc. are the elements, which push one to the Vanity Fair. However, one does have a choice not to go to the fair. There is nothing wrong with pride per se, provided it relates to honest achievements, simplicity, humility, high moral standards etc.
If goals and objectives of life are set properly and appropriate activities are conducted to achieve them, the resultant outputs should lead to the desired outcomes leading to the attainment of the goal set earlier (peaceful exit from this world). In the whole process, the role of the mentor is very critical.
Thank you Arun ji for very educative and insightful blog. Nice Sankranthi gift. Being versus Becoming is what you described nicely as “What I am versus How I appear”. At the end, some day you have to pay for and suffer with Health and Life issues.
अति सुंदर अतीव सुंदर विचार एवं लेखन । यही तो सनातन धर्म हमेशा से कहता आ रहा है । लेकिन सुनता कौन है। अरुण जी, हमेशा की तरह ही एक और उत्कृष्ट लेख।गीता में भगवान श्री कृष्ण कहते हैं कि:
श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाजज्ञानादधानं विशिष्यते ।
ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् ।।१२.१२।।
अभ्यास से ज्ञान श्रेष्ठ है; ज्ञान से श्रेष्ठ ध्यान है और ध्यान से भी श्रेष्ठ कर्मफल त्याग है त्याग; से तत्काल ही शान्ति मिलती है।
Beautiful blog Sri Arun Tiwariji..
Now as you say, it becomes so evident all around that “World is essentially a vanity fair”! And looking inwards, can find how much caught up even self is in creating a self image over vain achievements, for most of which there is little to give credit to the self..
“Bullshit reigns”, “Life is all about outcomes and no output guarantees a peaceful exit from this world”, “The number of “Likes” is the new measure of “stature” in the modern world”, “once-upon-a-time high-flyer acquaintances now living in miserable loneliness” are such eye-openers and powerful statements to be remembered every single day..
And, find myself so fortunate to having known someone like you who is truly living by the principle of “let us be more simple and less vain”!
Thank you Prof Tiwari ji for a fabulous Blog. Last para really summarises the purpose of life. We are blessed ones by the almighty, since we can do good for the mother earth and its inhabitants, if we desire to do so. Probably that is what we are expected to do also!
Lovely topic…lovely reflection…lovely deliberation, a real good thought to ponder!
Makes me wonder what all topics/opinions/ideas you carry in your bag of goodies slung over your shoulder… A-la, long Khadi Kurta clad, Kolhapuri chappal, and a Nehruvian cloth bag dangling from your shoulder and walking towards Hostel No.5, Pant College of Technology (1974 -76) that’s the Arun Tiwari of lore years, I resonate with. Wish I was aware of the bag contents then – history would have been different. Vanity Fair, simply put is the last of the topics many would have contemplated thus needs a special applause.
Having read Harold Robbins – Carpetbaggers and many of Irving Wallace but The Prize, makes me understand what all you have been driving at. Surely this was fiction catering to the mass on the move, seeking adventure drama sex money and a fast paced life style. They were writers who wrote for making money for themselves. That your mentor Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam influenced you, prevailed upon you, changed the perception of your life is very understandable. The earlier the realization dawns that the wealth accumulated, money stacked, status grabbed or power yielded will not be your baggage accompanying you, the better.
The simple notion that nothing, simply nothing except your naked body will be carried from this world to the next sums the transition of life. What go along though are your good deeds and the good work done for humanity during ones mortal life. One is remembered for ones virtues and beyond one’s life span it’s the history which remembers and makes the future world remember a great human being. We remember Dr. Kalam for these virtues only. Alas…it’s easy said than done. If we mortals look into this perception of life- It would be a changed world.
Shun Vanity…. I would like to make it my slogan, my resolution for 2022…. Culled from your this Blog. Simple living high thinking is what needs to be preached. I do agree everybody in his/her life span goes through a bull rush, to be one step ahead in this competitive world but the earlier one realizes the true sense of one’s existence and stops shopping for the vanity fair the better. I liked your – “The number of “Likes” is the new measure of “stature” in the modern world.” Being simpler and less vain is the perfect conclusion.
Dear Sir, Thank you for sharing once again a masterpiece to read and in-light ourselves,
The last paragraph is inspirational one, I posted on my facebook account, not just to get more likes but for my friends to read and apply in their life,
Starting my carrier in 2010, from 15k INR / month to getting 15k AUD$ / month in 2020 is a satisfactory growth of ones career. Credit goes to all learnings and the value system I received from you to live a purposeful life. Now, I am focused and working on my purpose of existence in this world. Things are moving very slowly but in a positive direction I think. Reading such blogs from your pen motivates me and keep me on track.
Please keep sharing your blessings in the form of blogs.
Thank you Dr. Tiwari for your words of wisdom. I say let us live our lives with the following in mind:
No man is an island.
No one walks this path alone.
What we put into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.
It is a matter of time that we should hang on to shed the inner coverings of false egos and beliefs which we proudly exhibit as if it real. The reality is to become truthfully naked to embrace the transition that is real, peaceful and eternal.
Reading this Blog, explains why it is so educational and enlightening to converse with Prof Arun Tiwari. No wonder Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was so fond of his disciple.
I salute you for the great analyses of vanity and how it impacts our lives. Your association with the late President clearly has moulded you into a personality which is getting extinct today.
Keep educating us Prof Tiwari.
God Bless you.
Dearest Friend
Happy Sankranti and Best Wishes for 2022!
Thank you for article. It simply puts the reader back to somber reflection of life and its purpose.
Vanity and greed are not fulfilling.