The Indian Dharma

In the previous episode, we had witnessed two important aspects of “Raaja Dharma” as explained by Bhishmachaarya to Yudishtra – “Prayathnam” and “Purushaartham”. While “Purushaartham” signifies the end-goal or the long-term goal, “Prayathnam” signifies the effort that we are putting so as to reach the long-term goal. We’ve seen applications of this “Purushaartham-Prayathnam” combo, both in professional and personal spaces. While “Purushaartham” for an organization is to achieve its “Vision” statement, and in due course make profits and sustain, the “Purushaartham” in our personal lives is to strive and attain the highest “Moksha”. In this pursuit towards the long-term goal, we’ve seen that there should definitely be short-term goals that need to be achieved as well. For instance, in an organization, making profits in the short-term is important, because this will take care of the working capital to sustain everyday operations. In our personal life too, getting married, having a family, earning money, etc. are important short-term goals to sustain our everyday life. 

However, there is a catch here – This is where many of us go wrong. Of course, as spiritual seekers, if anyone asks about our “Purushaartham”, all of us know to say that it is nothing but attaining the highest “Moksha”. However, do we really put in that “Prayathnam” to get there? Or, are we getting carried away by the short-term goals in our lives? This is where we’ve to introspect within ourselves. Having a family, earning money for a living, etc. are important. However, if our only goal in life becomes earning more and more money, building a luxurious house, enjoying all kinds of other luxuries in this world, it means that we’ve got completely carried away by short-term goals only! If we spend all our time of the day into these activities, and forget to think of Bhagawan even for a moment, it simply means that we’ve lost our track somewhere! While we still might keep saying that our “Purushaartham” is to attain “Moksha”, our “Prayathnam” is somewhere else, isn’t it? This is what we’ve to address immediately. Our “Purushaartham” and “Prayathnam” should align with each other, and only then we’ll be able to succeed in our life mission. 

This is very similar in an organization’s context as well. While we say that “Purushaartham” is the long-term goal and to achieve the “Vision” and purpose of the organization, our “Prayathnam” should also be in line with it. For instance, if there is a restaurant and its vision is to provide high-quality food items to its customers – This should be the “Purushaartham”. While short-term goals of making profits in the restaurant are important, this should not become the end-goal. For instance, if the restaurant’s sole aim starts to become money-oriented, obviously the quality of food would be compromised at some point in time, which should ideally be the “Purushaartham” for the restaurant. With this, obviously, quality-conscious customers are going to turn away from the restaurant and go to the competitors! Hence, the whole aim of starting this restaurant goes for a toss, isn’t it? This is why in Management we say that our “Vision” should be aligned with our “Mission” and the operational practices. This is exactly what Bhishmachaarya is also telling here when he talks about how the “Purushaartham” and “Prayathnam” should be aligned with each other. 

Moving on further, Bhishmachaarya continues his accord to say thus, “Oh Yudishtra! A king should always be transparent in nature (“Satyam”). In addition, a king should be very approachable to his people, however, he should maintain a safe distance from them at all times!” This is another important couple of points which Bhishmachaarya is explaining here. While we’ve spoken at length about being truthful and transparent with others, Bhishmachaarya is highlighting that even if a leader should be approachable, he should maintain distance. This is where “Detachment” comes into play. It is important for a leader to give time to his / her employee’s / followers, but if he / she starts getting closer to one or a particular group of employees at the workplace, it starts sending out a wrong message to the others working under him / her. In Management terms, we call this as bias / favouritism towards a few and leaving the others in lurch! While the leader should be a neutral entity, he should also have the compassion to listen to everyone’s concerns. This is important to earn respect amongst people. In an organization too, it is not wrong when the leader converses with his employee’s, but he / she should know the limit to which the conversation can go. If the leader maintains this limit correctly, he will be able to balance between all employees equally. This is a very fine balance here – It’s very easy to get carried away, because some employee’s who might be very opportunistic in nature, will try and “butter” the leader and get closer. If the leader falls for this buttering, danger is knocking doors! Hence, the leader has to be extremely cautious not to fall for this buttering from any employee in the organization. 

So for today, let us understand these two points, and moving forward, Bhishmachaarya is going to explain thirty-six important qualities of a great leader. We’ve already seen Valmiki Maharishi explaining sixteen important qualities of a leader during the Ramayana episodes, but now, we’re going to see a thirty-six quality-package from Bhishmachaarya! We shall commence this discussion in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂 

We’ve witnessed a beautiful and a structural build-up for Bhishmachaarya’s all-important accord on “Raaja-Dharma”. This is as part of the important “Shaanti Parva” of the Mahabharata text, wherein Bhishmachaarya is going to render important pieces of advice to Yudishtra pertaining to several aspects of “Dharma”. For now, we’re going to commence this discussion from the context of “Raaja Dharma”. In other words, what are the key roles and duties of an able administrator. These are going to be invaluable lessons, not only for Yudishtra, but also for all of us, and we are going to spend considerable time in this section of the Mahabharata, owing to the relevance that we have for today’s context. As we’ve witnessed yesterday, Yudishtra comes forward to talk with Bhishmachaarya, upon Bhagawan Krishna’s recommendation. Initially, Yudishtra feels shy and guilty upon seeing Bhishmachaarya’s pitiable state. He thinks that it is only because of his actions, Bhishmachaarya is in this sad state of affairs, only to be refuted by Bhishmachaarya himself! With this, Yudishtra gains some courage to come forward and thus, requests Bhishmachaarya to teach him more on the “Raaja Dharma”. 

Now Bhishmachaarya begins with a very important note thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve asked an important question, however, my tongue shivers with the thought that I’ve to give you an answer pertaining to “Dharma”. Here is Bhagawan Krishna, who Himself is an epitome of all “Dharma” in this world. However, He wants me to talk about “Dharma”! Of course, Bhagawan Krishna has provided me with His divine “Anugraha” to do so, and if it is His divine “Sankalpa” that words pertaining to “Dharma” should come out of my mouth, who can stop it from happening? Hence, with this courage, I’m commencing my accord! Oh Yudishtra! Please understand – For a king to be successful, two things are very important – The first one is “Prayathnam” (Effort) and the second one is “Puruhsaartham” (Goal). Every administrator, both in the professional and personal space should understand this very carefully. All of us should have a goal to achieve in life, and for doing so, we’ve to put in the requisite effort. For instance, if there is a CEO in an organization and if we’ve to ask him / her what their “Purushaartham” is. What will they answer? The CEO will say that his “Purushaartham” is to take the organization to great heights, in line with the “Vision” statement. In corporate terms, we can idealize “Purushaartham” as the “Vision” of an organization and “Prayathnam” as its “Mission” statement. We can see here that the Vision of any organization is the long-term goal that it wants to achieve for the benefit and transformation of the society in some way (depending upon the domain / industry in which the organization operates), and also for the organization’s own growth and development. “Prayathnam” here indicates the small baby steps that the organization takes every business day to achieve its long-term goal. There might of course be several short-term goals as we pass through the path, but ultimately the “Purushaartham” (Long-term goal) is important. Bhishmachaarya begins the entire discussion with this note, and this is why even today, when we teach “Strategy” in Management classes at top business schools, the discussion always commences with this concept only! 

As we’ve understood the meanings of the terms “Purushaartham” and “Prayathnam” in the modern-day business context, now let us turn our lens towards our own spiritual growth and upliftment. If someone asks us thus, “What is your “Purushaartham” in life?” What will we answer them? We should say that our “Purushaartham” in this birth is to wash away all our “Karma-Phalam” (Both Sanchita Karma and Praarabhda Karma) and walk the path to attain “Moksha”. As ardent “Bhaktas” of Bhagawan Krishna, this should be our “Purushaartham”, isn’t it? Of course, we have Bhagawan Krishna’s guidance in several aspects of “Dharma” from His own Bhagawad Gita, and now we’re discussing Bhishmachaarya’s accord on “Dharma” in the divine presence of Bhagawan Krishna. What more guidance do we require? Hence, if we follow whatever these two people have told us, it implies that we are putting in the “Prayathnam” (Effort) to attain our “Purushaartham” (Long-term goal). 

Now having said this, we’ve to understand the difference between having “Short-term goals” and “Long-term goals”. Why do we say that long-term goals are more important than short-term goals? Should we at all have short-term goals in life? Or, should we only have the long-term goal in our focus and leave the short-term goals completely? All these questions might keep haunting us in several walks of our professional and personal lives, don’t they? Bhishmachaarya is clearly explaining answers to these questions here – He says that while short-term goals are important for an administrator, the ultimate focus should be the long-term ones. When he talks about “Purushaartham”, he technically means the long-term goal, however, we’ve to balance the short-term goals, in order to attain the “Purushaartham”. For instance, in our personal lives, even though we have the long-term “Purushaartham” as attaining “Moksha” by washing away all our “Karma Phalam”, however, we’ve to get married, have a family, earn money, work with an organization, raise our children to the next level, take care of our own professional growth, etc. While all these are important too in life, we should treat them as “short-term goals”. Whereas, if we’re going to take the above-mentioned agenda as the long-term goal, we would be in for a soup! We would be deviating from our real “Purushaartham” as spiritual seekers. So the point here is that we’ve to prioritize what “Purushaartham” is for us and how we put in the “Prayathnam” to achieve it! 

With this note, we shall ponder over these points for today, and we shall wait till the next episode to continue further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna commencing an important conversation with Bhishmachaarya. Bhagawan feels that Bhishmachaarya is the best “Guru” in this world who can teach Yudishtra several important aspects of life as well as “Dharma”. Even though Yudishtra himself is an epitome of “Dharma”, Bhagawan Krishna feels that he still needs to learn a lot. For this, who apart from Bhishmachaarya can be the right person to impart the wisdom into Yudishtra? Moreover, this is Bhagawan Krishna’s divine “Sankalpa” that Bhishmachaarya passes on his divine wisdom to the next generation, so that the knowledge doesn’t get stagnated with him as he passes away. 

Moving on thus, with Bhagawan Krishna’s divine “Anugraha”, Bhishmachaarya obtains the power to talk continuously and flawlessly, even though he is suffering from several physical ailments, given his present situation. As Bhishmachaarya is ready, he asks Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! What do you want me to talk about?” As Bhishmachaarya asks a naive question thus, Bhagawan Krishna laughs a bit. He replies back thus, “Oh great Bhishmachaarya! Your grandson Yudishtra has also come alongside me. He is standing behind me, feeling shy and reluctant to meet you! He is unable to utter even a single word to you because he is feeling guilty for your present physical condition. He is disgusted with this guilt and is reluctant to move forward from here. He is not understanding the reality of life. Hence, this is your starting point. You should make Yudishtra aware that he is not the one who is responsible for your current state of affairs. You should make him realize that life is beyond just war and injuries. Oh Bhishmachaarya! Start your accord from here on!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna looks at Yudishtra and smiles! With Bhagawan Krishna setting up the context beautifully, Bhishmachaarya commences his accord thus, “Oh Bhagawan! I perfectly understand what you are trying to convey to me! Yudishtra is my grandchild. He is still a child in my eyes! How can a grandfather abandon his dear grandson? I shall take up the responsibility to alleviate him from what he is going through. However, the first thing here is that, Yudishtra should open himself up and come forward in front of me! If he is not able to do that, how will I converse with him? Yudishtra still has a long way to go! He doesn’t understand that it is due to my “Karma” and actions that I’m in this current state of affairs. He is thinking that only because he hit me with the help of Shikandi, I’m like this. It’s actually not the case! Shikandi coming in front of me, Arjuna using this opportunity to hit me, etc. are all part of a larger picture! It was my destiny! Arjuna, Yudishtra, Shikandi, etc. were all divine instruments under Bhagawan’s hands. They have no role to play at an individual level. I shall highlight this to Yudishtra in detail!I know Yudishtra’s love, affection and respect towards him! Oh Keshav! Yudishtra still doesn’t understand that you are the only one on this earth who cannot be affected by any kind of “Karma”! All the others are into the “Karma-Cycle” and we are going to continue being the same in future as well. If we’ve to come out of this “Karma-Cycle”, the only way is to surrender at your divine lotus feet! Yudishtra is not understanding this at all!”

As Bhishmachaarya says thus, Yudishtra feels better. He slowly comes forward and falls on Bhishmachaarya’s feet as a token of his enormous respect towards the great man! Acknowledging Yudishtra’s token of respect thus, Bhishmachaarya calls him near. As Yudishtra comes closer, he says thus, “Oh grandfather! I understand what you are saying! I want to listen more from you in terms of “Raaja-Dharma” and how I should take the Hastinapura kingdom forward in the path of “Dharma”. You’ve protected this kingdom all through these years with your immense “Tapas” and valor. I should continue your legacy and take it to the next level with my administration. Hence, teach me more about the intricacies of “Raaja Dharma” and how I should move ahead from here on!” 

As Yudishtra asks thus, both Bhishmachaarya and Bhagawan Krishna heave a huge sigh of relief! Till this point, both of them were thinking that Yudishtra is still not ready to take over as a king. The fear amongst both of them was, what if Yudishtra asks Bhishmachaarya to explain about the “Tapasvi Dharma” instead of “Raaja Dharma”? The story should begin from the first, once again! Thankfully, Yudishtra asks about the “Raaja Dharma”, moresoever because he had assumed the responsibility of a king of Hastinapura during the recently concluded “Pattabishekam” ceremony. As Yudishtra asks thus, Bhishmachaarya is now going to happily commence his first important accord on the “Raaja-Dharma” and for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we had witnessed a beautiful event unfolding at the Kurukshetra battlefield, wherein Bhagawan Krishna comes to see Bhishmachaarya and spend some time with him during his last moments. Upon understanding that Bhagawan has come searching for him (rather than being the other way round), Bhishmachaarya welcomes Him with tears of gratitude. Due to his age and also due to his current state of affairs, Bhishmachaarya is unable to see Bhagawan Krishna properly with his two eyes. However, he correctly understands that Bhagawan has come near him. Thus, as Bhagawan arrives, Bhishmachaarya heaps praise on Him for protecting the Hastinapura kingdom through the path of “Dharma”. Bhishmachaarya feels guilty of being on the wrong side during the war. However, even though Bhagawan Krishna would have been on the opponent’s side, Bhishmachaarya’s “Bhakti” towards Bhagawan did not come down an inch. We’ve seen this during the discussion of the first ten days of the war as well. We’ve seen how Bhagawan Krishna had a high reputation towards Bhishmachaarya even then, and vice-versa. 

Thus, through all these incidents, as mentioned earlier, the concept of “Guru-Sishya” relationship takes the centre-stage here. In this present context, we’re also witnessing a very important characteristic of a “Guru” – A real Spiritual Master is the one whose heart melts with Bhakti, the moment he sees Bhagawan in front of him! It is only because of this heart-melting, the Guru gets the highest status to talk and propagate about Bhagawan and His divine significance. This can be seen in several instances in our “Sanaatana Dharma” literature. In this same Mahabharata, we’ve seen how Vidura was an ardent “Bhakta” of Bhagawan Krishna. The moment Bhagawan entered Vidura’s house (during His visit to Hastinapura as the “Paandava-Dhoota”), Vidura’s heart melted for Him the same way as we’re seeing here. This is why Vidura is considered a great “Mahatma” and a Spiritual Master, and the “Vidura Neeti” which we’ve seen earlier, holds enormous significance. In similar lines, Hanuman also exhibited the same characteristic towards Bhagawan Rama. We’ve again witnessed this during our Shrimad Ramayana project, wherein Hanuman’s heart melts immediately the moment he worships Bhagawan Rama for the first time. Thereafter there was no looking back – Hanuman played a vital role of a “Guru” (Aachaarya) in explaining the significance of Bhagawan to Mother Sita and thereby uniting both of them once again! 

So in these lines, we can see that our “Sanaatana Dharma” literature is packed with the enormous significance of the “Guru” and how the “Guru” plays a vital role in moulding the Sishya’s pursuit towards the path of “Dharma”. Moving forward from here, Bhishmachaarya continues further thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! You are completely surrounded by “Maya” (Illusion). Very few people in this world know that you are the ultimate “Paramatman”. Thousands of people have lost their lives not because of Yudishtra or Arjuna or anyone else. They’ve not realized this fact that you are the ultimate Bhagawan who is protecting this world. Had this realization happened, this war would not have taken place at all!” 

As Bhishmachaarya says these words, Bhagawan Krishna smiles and picks up the conversation from this point. Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh great Bhishmachaarya! You’ve touched upon a very important point here. This is the reason I’ve asked Yudishtra to come and meet you! He is thinking that he was the one who destroyed everybody in the battlefield and is constantly feeling guilty about it. I’m requesting you to render him some important words of advice, and I’m sure if he listens to you, he will get the much needed clarity as a king. Oh Bhishmachaarya! Are you in a position to render these important pieces of advice to Yudishtra as divine words of wisdom?” As Bhagawan Krishna asks thus, Bhishmachaarya starts feeling shy! He lets out a small laugh and replies back to Bhagawan thus, “Oh Keshav! Oh Vasudeva! I do not know why you want me to talk about these things. You are an epitome of all “Dharma” put together! Instead of you doing the talking, why do you want me to do it? Moreover, I’m not in a position currently to give such a lengthy accord. I’m struggling to talk even a few words at length. How will I be able to render something which you have to do?” For this, Bhagawan immediately responds thus, “Oh Bhishmacharya! Please do not worry about your physical limitations! I’m providing you my divine “Anugraha”, with which you will be able to talk for hours together! But I want you to do the talking, rather than me doing it! The “Dharma” and wisdom should always come through the words of an “Acharyaa” / “Guru” while passing it onto the next generation. Yudishtra has a lot to learn. He still doesn’t know the reality of life. Hence, I’m leaving it you to take over from here!” 

Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna provides His divine “Anugraha” and with this, Bhishmachaarya gets ready to talk with Yudishtra! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall commence with the marquee discussion! Stay tuned! 🙂 

In the previous episode, we witnessed an associated discussion on who can become a “Sanyaasin”. This comes from an accomplished Sage, and along with this, we’ve had an offshoot discussion on how this terminology is grossly getting misused. In today’s scenario, several “Ashrams” have popped up in several places. In every “Ashram”, there are several “Sanyaasins” who reside there. The moment one becomes a “Sanyaasin”, he / she should not get anything royally in hand. However, these “Ashrams” take a lot of donations from others, maintain a lot of wealth and feed these “Sanyaasins”. While outwardly this might sound right, the primary aim of being a “Sanyaasin” gets defeated, isn’t it? As per the Vedas, a “Sanyaasin” should obtain food through “Bhiksha” from a “Grihasta’s” house. The “Sanyaasin” has to wander here and there for food, and whatever the person gets as a “Bhiksha”, he / she has to consume only that much food for the day for survival. A “Sanyaasin” should never get food ready made without any effort. However, this is not happening in several “Ashrams”. On the contrary, some “Ashrams” even serve five-star food to “Sanyaasins”. This entirely defeats the purpose! At the same time, “Ashrams” are supposed to be simple places with minimal facilities. No wealth of any sorts should be transacted at “Ashrams”. In today’s world, even this is gone for a toss in many places! 

Hence, the point here is that, “Sanyaasam” is not an easy thing to accomplish. One has to strive and struggle for anything and everything, with a sole focus on Bhagawan and attaining “Moksha”. As Sage Devasthaanam explains this to Yudishtra, Sage Vyaasa is giving his accord. He grossly agrees to what all of them have spoken till now. Even Bhagawan Krishna has a say here, and He too adds similar points, in a bid to convince Yudishtra to go back to Hastinapura. Sage Vyaasa says here thus, “Oh Yudishtra! I have a doubt here – Is laziness preventing you from ruling the kingdom?” This blunt statement from Sage Vyaasa surprises Yudishtra. He is clearly taken aback! As Yudishtra has a surprised look on his face, Sage Vyaasa continues further thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Perhaps, after the Kurukshetra battle, you’ve slightly become complacent, because there are not many enemies for you any more! You should not get into the trap of such lazy attitudes! For a king to be successful, several important qualities are required. If you are lazy, you will not be able to administer the kingdom properly. You will end up taking wrong decisions at the wrong time. If you have laziness in you, it will lead you to disaster straightaway! As a king, you should be rich with wealth. You should earn a lot of wealth. You should be ready to donate your wealth to the needy. You should possess the desire to give more and more to those who deserve it. You should have the “Dhairyam” (Courage) to face and overcome any kind of challenge. You should be an embodiment of “Keerti” (Fame). Your name and fame should spread everywhere around the world, for all the “Dharma-Kaaryam” you are performing! Finally, you should have the smartness to run the kingdom the way you want to! Oh Yudishtra! Only if you have these qualities, will you be able to succeed as a righteous king in this world! Moreover, a king is termed to be a righteous administrator only if he has a proven ability to punish wrongdoers! You’ve done it to those people who have gone down the path of “Adharma”. Hence, rather than feeling happy and proud about it, you are trying to demean yourself! This is not expected from a great king like you!” 

Saying thus, Sage Vyaasa continues further – “Oh Yudishtra! I’ve been listening to you for a while now. You’ve been talking so much about “Vairaagya”. This is something which I should be talking about as a Sage. I do not understand why you are talking about it. By going to the forest with “Vairaagyam”, you are not going to accomplish anything in life. Going to the forest with “Vairaagyam” is something that I should be doing. This is not for you. Your statement on “Vairaagyam” will be true for you only if you are in the kingdom and discharge your duties correctly as per “Dharma”! Hence, refrain from going into these kinds of thoughts and plans!” Saying thus, Sage Vyaasa too asserts his stance to Yudishtra that he has to rule the kingdom and should think of nothing else other than that. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂