Epic Lesson

The Mahabharata teaches you to accept life as it comes and evolve independently, authors KAVITA SHARMA and INDU RAMCHANDANI tell  MONA MEHTA

Lessons that can be learned from Mahabharata:

   ·       The Mahabharata teaches you to accept life as it comes and evolve independently

  ·       To accept life as it is and find your own way; stand on your own core qualities,  and then you evolve  

   ·       If things are going wrong,  you don’t hold on to your vows for eternity,  you have to change your tactics.

   ·       You have to move on as things move. ’There is no absolute good or bad. Value judgments are only done in retrospect.  You go by what is motivating you, your desire and emotions. If it is reason, then you may be at less risk.  Once we take life as is, then we move, we don’t get paralyzed.  

   ·       Through Krishna,  you are taught to remain involved in the world,  because otherwise, the world does not move and nor do you function.  Simultaneously,  step back,  so you are able to see what you are doing. Be both a participant and a witness.  That is what awareness is about. 

    ·       There’s no such thing as a just war.  So you have to find other ways to resolve conflicts than through violence.  

   ·       To take any decision, don’t go by what the majority or sages say,  for they could be wrong. Scriptural wisdom too may not work for you. You need to figure things out for yourself.  Cause and effect is an important teaching and two good deeds will not nullify two bad ones.  

   ·       The Mahabharata offers no ideals but recommends acting in enlightened self-interest.  This means if I want my freedom,  I must give you yours;  whatever I allow for myself,  I should allow it for others,  too.  Enlightened self-interest would mean that the brothers could have acted together and kept the kingdom intact. Their vested interest and that of all the elders at different points of time ensured that everything got destroyed.

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