expression
not going as one wishes; beyond one's control; unable to do freely
Fixed negative expression meaning things do not go as one hopes; often used with 世の中 or 人生. Equivalent to ままならない.
See also: ままならない
世の中はままならぬものだ。
Things in life don't always go as we wish.
ままならぬ現実を受け入れる
We have no choice but to accept the reality that is beyond our control.
Synonymous; ままならぬ is the classical negative form, while ままならない is the modern colloquial equivalent.
From まま (as it is, one's own way) + classical negative of なる (to become), literally 'does not become as one wishes'.