In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important message from Sage Maarkandeya to Yudishtra and Co. wherein he emphasizes the point that “Sathyam” (Truth) and “Dharma” (Righteousness) are the two important weapons with which one can win over the entire world. It doesn’t matter if one has enormous financial strength and positional powers. If both the above-mentioned weapons do not accompany these powers and finances, one is sure to get doomed. This is also an indirect message to Duryodhana and Co. that they are going to face the doom within a short period of time. Saying thus, Sage Maarkandeya consoles Yudishtra and Co. and makes them feel better. This is an important message for all of us as well – In today’s context, most of us keep running behind enormous wealth, money, positions, powers, etc. But little do most of us remember that we should also do the same running behind in pursuit of “Dharma” and “Sathyam” as well. For this, we’ve to focus on our spiritual pursuit too, along with our professional commitments. Just like how we have “commitments” at our workplace, we also have “commitments” with Bhagawan to fulfil as part of taking birth in this world. Now what are the commitments that we’ve to fulfil for Bhagawan? They are nothing but following the path of “Sathyam” and “Dharma”.
We should ask a simple question here within ourselves – Are our everyday actions focused on “Sathyam” and “Dharma”? Our actions might be in terms of fulfilling our personal or professional commitments here. Even at our workplace in our respective organizations wherever we work, we should constantly have a check on whatever actions that we perform – Are we performing the actions as per the “Dharma” of our workplace? Every workplace would have its own set of “Dharma” isn’t it? We should ensure that we follow them correctly without any deviation. Especially when it comes to organizational ethics and values, we should be very careful. Just because there is an opportunity to swindle enormous amounts of money without the knowledge of anybody around, or by exploiting someone else, do we still go ahead in doing it? Or, do we pause and think whether this act of ours is wrongful or unethical? This is where the test is – Are we steadfast on our “Dharma” of not cheating our organization that is duly paying us and taking care of our needs in all ways? Or, are we going ahead in cheating the organization by swindling its money, just because we see an opportunity to do so? If all of us start thinking on these lines, every organization would become the most ethical and value-based in the world! We should strive forward to bring about this change and this change should begin from ourselves.
In today’s corporate scenario, there are many surveys being taken all across the world with regards to “Best places to work”, isn’t it? If we look at the various parameters within the survey, most of them would point to some form of ethics, value systems, etc., that the organizations have built over time, which again corresponds to what we’re currently talking about – “Sathyam” and “Dharma”. If these two vital parameters are taken care of, every organization in this world would qualify to be “Best places to work”, isn’t it? Hence, as employees ourselves, we should bring about the change. We shouldn’t expect someone else to start this. We should create this awareness and we should “walk the talk” with our righteous actions, focused on the truth. We should always remember one thing very clearly – There can be no instance wherein a person following the path of “Dharma” is cheated or dethroned from any position! This is the same across all the “Yugas” including the present ‘Kali Yuga”. We should not come to a quick conclusion that whatever Sage Maarkandeya is saying here, is applicable only to the “Tretha Yuga” and the “Dvaapara Yuga”. The applications are there for all of us to see in the present “Kali Yuga” as well. Hence, we should not get into this shell that no “Dharma” is applicable to the “Kali Yuga” and lose hope. “Kali Yuga” has its own “Dharma” and it would persist if we persist with it.
Hence, the important point for all of us to ponder here is that, whatever may be our actions – whether it corresponds to our professional or personal commitments, we should follow the path of “Dharma” and “Sathyam” in executing them. At any point in time, we should never compromise or go against our “Dharma”. Maybe at that time, it might seem and sound juicy and attractive to deviate, but in the long-term, we might have to face disastrous consequences for our actions. We should always keep this in mind. Moreover, there has never been an instance where one person dumps or “outsmarts” another person in a perverted manner and achieves long-term success. We can cheat and outsmart one person today, or many people tomorrow. But this process can never be a continuous one. At some point, if we get caught, we would have to face the music! Thus, readers should always have this in mind that as far as we can, we should never cheat or try to dominate over another person to achieve success. Success should come from our hard work and there is no substitute for it! It should never come at the cost of others’ downfall. This is exactly what Sage Maarkandeya is advising Yudishtra and Co. here, and this is exactly where Duryodhana and Co. went wrong as well! Thus, from all these instances and narratives, we should learn our lessons very carefully! So for today, let us understand these important points and let us wait till the next episode to continue further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 