What super power do you wish you had and why?
The post explores humanity’s enduring desire for superpowers, such as the universal wish for superpower, rooted in the awe and fear of nature’s elemental forces. It discusses how ancient civilizations personified these powers into deities, reflecting both reverence and a longing for security. Mythical figures like Lord Krishna represent divine assistance in overcoming adversity. The narrative emphasizes that while nature endows animals with specific strengths, humans have been uniquely gifted with cognitive abilities, enabling them to replicate powers through innovation. The conclusion suggests that instead of yearning for unattainable power, humans should responsibly utilize their mental capabilities and remain grateful to nature for its gifts.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Humans have an enduring wish for superpower, driven by awe and fear of nature’s forces.
- Ancient civilizations personified natural powers as deities, seeking security through divine assistance.
- Nature balances power with limitations, gifting humans with cognitive abilities instead of physical superpowers.
- Using mental capabilities responsibly fulfills the human desire for power while promoting gratitude towards nature.
- The narrative emphasizes that longing for unattainable power is impractical; instead, humans should embrace their natural gifts.
Human wish
Since the dawn of civilisation, humans have sought to be all-powerful. They wanted to be omnipotent and full of strength. Imaginations about an ogre or a huge “Yeti” or the so-called Snow Man are but a few figments of imagination which often do the rounds. Why do humans have a wish to be powerful? What is the use of it? Do they need to wish for superpower?
Power of Nature
Humans observed the immense brawn of natural elements like fire, water, air, earth and the vastness of space. The immense power that could burn anything to ashes, sway humongous trees like a sprig and blow away huge physical structures in a puff amused them. It was beyond their imagination. They wished for superpower. Unable to cope with them, they personified them as God and started worshipping them.
Awe and terror
Early humans would see natural and paranormal occurrences with awe and terror. The lightning, thunder and its blaze would terrorise them and force them to seek refuge. Word Thunder is evolved after the Norse god of thunder, “Thor”. In Indian mythology, the rain and thunder god is “Indra”, who also rules his kingdom “Indralok”. It is said that annoyed with the villagers of Braj, he let loose all hell and caused rains, cats and dogs. He intended to avenge Lord Krishna, who advised the people to worship the mountain Govardhan, not Indra. Lord Krishna saved his people by bringing them under the Govardhan, which Lord Krishna lifted like an umbrella. Lord Krishna is the incarnation and is believed to possess many celestial powers. This is the manifestation of the human wish for superpower.
Nature’s trade off
Nature trades off. It gives a power to an organism for its survival but in a limited manner. It balances the power with some weakness. Cheetah, for example, is a sprinter which can run at a maximum speed of 140 kmph, but the animal can’t run constantly at that speed. Soon it exhausts. The reason is obvious. To run at that speed needs extra force, energy and a lot of oxygen. The body uses them up at a faster rate causing the animals exhaustion. It is true in all cases.
Elephant
Let us consider the elephant as another example. It is a big and powerful animal, having immense physical power. At the same time, it is slow. Its leisurely motion and slow behaviour help save energy. The pachyderm is vegetarian. To fulfil its nutritional requirements, it has to consume a lot of fodder. The elephant can use its power and intellect in a localised area without running or catching speed.
Blue whale
The largest animal on Earth is the blue whale, whose tongue weighs as much as an elephant. Such a humongous animal would be difficult to move. Thus, Whales live in water which gives them buoyancy and makes them feel light. To bear the tremendous water pressure, Nature has awarded them with a cartilaginous skeleton and a large amount of blubber. This gives them the required elasticity to sustain the huge water pressure.
Immense animals of aeon
In the primary stage of Earth’s history, the atmosphere was less competitive. With the availability of plenty of food and space to live, animals and plants grew unabated, so much so that a few animals mostly lived in water. It was the time of huge lizards, popularly known as Dinosaurs. Some of them reached up to fifty feet or more, while some were the size of a hummingbird. Larger, more monstrous lizards used to spend most of their time in the water. Some had developed flippers instead of limbs.
Adaptive power: snakes
The adjustments that nature makes are seen in many animals and plants. Snakes are devoid of limbs, have a cylindrical body and can slither easily on Earth. Their ability to move swiftly in a wave-like motion, their unblinking glare, flickering bifurcated tongue and lightening strike are the cause of awe and terror. Humans have a peculiar, emotionally ambivalent relationship with snakes. The awe-inspiring qualities that include their deadly fang and poison earned them a fame of deadly creature. Unique ophidian features tempted humans to possess such powers and resulted in a wish for superpower. Nonetheless, not all snakes are poisonous and do not harm humans.
Powers lured humans
Such tremendous, extraterrestrial powers lured human beings. The presence of diabolical forces and the terror they created cemented the fear and prepared the ground for the longing of superpowers. Imaginary humans started emerging as central characters in literature and artwork. Norma looking but having immense paranormal powers and physical strengths, these characters soon attracted attention and became popular. The protagonist having such powers would come to the rescue of helpless, terrified people. Numerous comic strips, comics, stories, fables and parables came up making them heroes. Famous characters Phantom, Mandrake and Lothar et cetera became instant hits.
Indian society
The trend was also common in Indian society. Philosophical discourses and religious preachings created the Almighty powers incarnated in human form. They would come to rescue righteous and simple people from the atrocities of satanic powers. In famous epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata this feeling is ingrained, said by Lord Himself. Leaving everyone, come to me, says Lord Krishna in Gita.
"Sarvārdhmān Parityajah
Māmekam Sharanam Brajah"
This is an assurance of protection Lord gives to people. It assures safety and salvation to humans. The longing for security and safety led people to wish to have an Almighty superpower.
Humans created god
Humans imagined, created gods with specific powers and worship them. One Superpower oversees them all. In all ancient civilisations, the common thread is the imagination of a world other than this mundane world which is permanent and has everything of comfort and luxury a human mind can imagine. The archaeological excavations reveal it in great detail. In the ruins of ancient temples in Egypt, human figures with faces of wild animals are commonly seen. It underlines the latent fear and longing of immense animal power and instinct in the people of that time. Egyptians in ancient times used to embalm their dead and keep them preserved as mummies with various things of use and ornaments for their use in the next world. (Smithsonian)
“Sanatan” (eternal)
In the Sanatan tradition, some gods and demigods control a specific power. Fire is controlled by “Agni Dev”, Air by “Pavan Dev”, and “Varun Dev” is the deity of water, while “Indra” is superior and oversees them all. It is simply not possible to possess every power. It inculcates an ill mendacious feeling, transforming a person into a demon. Knowing the weakness, Nature did not give physical power to humans, but it compensated for it with brain power, which is like the wish for superpower comes true.
Birds: flying creatures
With the long and tedious experimentation, Nature learned the lesson of economising resources. Nature experienced it in birds. Birds can fly but to achieve this, they had to shed many “unwanted” features and acquire some. Characters like hollow bones, presence of air sacs, diminished some body organs, sharp vision, powerful flight muscles are but a few that are beneficial and helpful in making a bird light and consequently, flying.
Humans have brains
Humans don’t have to have these special provisions because Nature gifted them with a powerful brain and cognitive power. Using them, humans achieved phenomenal heights in every field. They fly like a bird, swim like a fish and sail like a Dolphin. Humans used armoured carriers like rhinos and fought bravely like lions. Besides, using their brains, they ventured deep into the cosmos, landed on the moon and vied to go nearer to the sun.
Accept bounties with humbleness
Humans should feel indebted to Nature for the bounties it has given them. Nature is all-powerful, benevolent and compassionate. The human race, which is still evolving, must owe its existence to Nature and accept the bounties with humbleness, without complaining or grumbling and wishing for superpower. With the foresight nature gives and takes as and when required. The human race should be obligated for the great gift of the brain which helped them grow.
Longing for extra power is not a practical solution. Using the best power judiciously and having an obliged feeling towards Nature is the principle congruent to humanity.
Further reads:
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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