Lessons from Mahabharata

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    Recently I happened to read Mahabharata in English by CR (C. Rajagopalachari). It is not the first time that I have read Mahabharata. Being Indians, most of us are familiar with this epic piece of literature. But what is unique about any Classic is, you have a new interpretation of it each time you read it based on your situation. The following things struck me this time:

  • Focus on your core skills
  • Fight for yourself
  • Practice patience
  • Make friends
  • Slipping standards could mean doom

Focus on your core skills: Arjuna is one of the prominent characters. He focused on his core skills, and that is the secret of his success. He is among the great heroes. He learns warfare tricks under the best trainers and gains skills in weaponry and warfare strategy. He identifies that he is better than most others in his skills with bows and arrows. Instead of being overconfident, he relentlessly practices archery. He is always vigilant and never leaves a thing for a chance. He is self-aware. He understands his strengths and limitations. He constantly works on making himself better and finally wins. He focused on his skill with bows and arrows and tried to be the master of it. 

Fight for yourself: Fighting for oneself is never a choice for anyone. Draupadi, Duryodhana, Karna, and most other prominent characters find themselves in situations where they had to fight alone for themselves. They all belonged to mighty clans and had strong allies and friends. Despite that, they all find themselves in situations in which they have to fight alone for themselves. This reality applies to everyone.

Practice patience: Life is very often a waiting game. It is never possible to win without having patience and strategy. The Pandava brothers got their due after a long wait and after a long struggle.

Make friends: Pandavas had friends even in the opposition camp. The ability to love and be loved is the key to survival.

Slipping standards could mean doom: Falling business standards means trouble for everyone. Youdhistira agreed to the game of dice, which was among the root causes for the Mahabharata war. People who are held in high esteem failing in some way will have a cascading effect on society. The disgraceful turn of events in the game of dice rocked the nation. The event had unthinkable consequences and created a wedge that was impossible to fix.  People on both sides ended up hating each other intensely. The Kurukshetra battle was the logical climax for the events that happened in the hall of dice.

When the standards slip, they slip endlessly till the abyss. Everyone transgressed righteous conduct in the course of the war. People on both sides sought to annihilate each other. It was near-complete destruction. It is correct to term Pandavas as survivors of the war than as the winners of the war.

Title image source - the internet

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The ability to learn is the key to survival. We can learn faster by learning from each other.

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