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The Pigeons' Gift: A Story of Hospitality and Redemption

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Grandparents are the best storytellers! My grandma's tales have always inspired me, and her wisdom continues to guide me even today. King Yudhishthira, curious about the importance of protecting those who seek refuge, asks Bhishma, the wise elder, to explain. Bhishma, known for his storytelling, agrees and launches into a tale filled with moral lessons. The story unfolds in a vast forest. Here lived a vicious fowler, a man as dark as a raven with eyes like blood. He resembled the god of death himself, Yama, with long legs, short feet, and a pronounced mouth. Shunned by everyone for his cruel profession – killing birds for a living – he wandered the forest alone. This fowler, a source of fear for all creatures, spent his days setting traps and selling the flesh of innocent birds. Blinded by his actions for years, he never grasped the sinfulness of his life. One fateful day, while the fowler was deep in the forest, a monstrous storm erupted. Trees swayed violently, threatened to be...
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Beyond Hero and Villain: Unpacking the Mystery of Ekalavya

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The Mahabharata is full of unforgettable characters, some with grand roles and others who appear briefly but leave a lasting mark. Ekalavya is one such character. Though his story is short, it continues to spark discussions and inspire even today. The Mahabharata, the epic Indian saga, is filled with stories of heroism, betrayal, and the enduring human spirit. One such tale, often recounted but rarely without debate, is the story of Ekalavya, a young man whose passion for learning defied the limitations of his social status. Ekalavya, a prince of the Nishada tribe (considered lower in the caste system), harbored a burning desire to master the art of archery. Dronacharya, the revered teacher of the Kuru princes (Pandavas and Kauravas), was known for his expertise in warfare. Because of Arjuna's ability, dedication, and hard work, Dronacharya promised to impart all his knowledge and train him with utmost focus, with the ultimate goal of making him the world's greatest archer. Fue...
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The Kiratarjuniya: A Timeless Tale of Humility and Respect

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The epic Mahabharata is a treasure trove of stories that explore the complexities of human nature and the divine. One such tale, the Kiratarjuniya, follows the legendary warrior Arjuna on his quest to acquire celestial weapons. This pursuit, however, becomes a journey of self-discovery, testing his strength, humility, and respect for all beings. Through his trials, the narrative imparts valuable lessons that resonate across generations: the importance of humility, the power of respect for all beings, the influence of divine intervention in shaping human destiny, and the enduring need for guidance even for the most skilled warriors. Prepare to embark on a journey alongside Arjuna, where his triumphs and tribulations illuminate the path to becoming a truly exceptional hero. During their exile, Duryodhana's mischief troubled the Pandavas. Sage Vyasa advised Yudhishthira to impart the knowledge of Pratismriti (Kind of Yoga Vidya) to Arjuna, along with urging him to s...
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The Deceptive Deer - A Social Media Metaphor

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Let's talk about something we can all confess to - getting sucked into the endless scroll of social media. Ever lose an hour to Instagram, only to look up and realize you've completely neglected your to-do list? Social media platforms are like illusionists, crafting beautiful, engaging content to keep us glued to our screens. But just like the classic story of Maricha's Maya in the Ramayana, these illusions can be deceiving. Maricha's Deception     Maricha, cursed to be a monster alongside his mother Tataka and brother Subahu, initially terrorized sages. Tataka and Subahu were killed by Rama on Sage Vishwamitra’s request, and Mareecha ran away. Ravana, the demon king, commanded Maricha to lure Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita so he could abduct her. Initially horrified by the idea, Maricha, who had firsthand experience of Rama's strength, pleaded with Ravana not to challenge him. He warned that the plan would be disastrous for Ravana, Lanka, and all the demon-folk ...
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Beyond the Plan: Mastering the Shaolin Principle of Opportunity

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Shaolin movies have always blown me away! The monks' focus, determination – it's truly inspiring. So, imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon "Shaolin: How to Win Without Fighting" at the airport! I had to grab it. And let me tell you, this book didn't disappoint. Those Shaolin principles – they're powerful! One story in particular stuck with me. It's a short one but perfectly explains the principle of opportunity. 'Shaolin: How to Win Without Fighting' book contains a story that perfectly illustrates the principle of opportunity. The cat and the rat: In Shaolin, a story is told about a farmer who could not get rid of a rat that had got into his house. So he bought a mangnficent, strong and brave cat. But in vain. The rat was too quick and outsmarted the cat. The farmer then got another cat. This one was extremely clever and cunning. But the rat was careful and appeared only when the cat was asleep. A monk from a nearby temple then loaned him hi...
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Amrita's Price: A Tale of Teamwork and Delayed Gratification

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In this "push-button get-it-done" or "just-ask-Alexa" world, haven't we all wished for a magic lamp? Bam! Instant promotion (and a raise to keep up with inflation - our extravagant lifestyles need some love too, right?! ). But hold on, my impatient friend (we've all been there, refreshing a slow-loading webpage! ), there's a story in Hindu mythology that throws a bucket of reality on that fantasy. Devas and Asuras joined forces to churn the ocean of milk, hoping to obtain Amrita, the elixir of immortality. But churning the ocean wasn't a quick fix. It was a slow, laborious process pushing both Devas and Asuras to their limits. The churning of the Ocean of Milk wasn't a walk in the park. It was a monumental undertaking, that initially fueled impatience. They uprooted the Mount Mandara and used as the churning rod. Vasuki, the mighty serpent who resided on Shiva's neck, volunteered his immense form as the churning rope.While carrying th...
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The Many Shades of Forgiveness: Lessons from Hindu Mythology

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Last week, a conversation with my friend/colleague/mentor, my guiding light in both life and the office labyrinth, took an unexpected turn. We were dissecting a tricky situation at work, one that demanded a decision: escalate or forgive?   Where to draw  the line between letting someone off the hook and standing up for what’s right? As usual, I turned to the wisdom of Hindu mythology, hoping for a crystal-clear answer. But forget a straight shot! It was more like getting lost in a funhouse mirror maze. Divine GPS, I thought. Instead, I ended up lost in the forest with no signal, completely confused about which turn to take as every path seemed to lead somewhere new. Talk about confusing! Lord Rama, the epitome of righteousness, ultimate good guy,  embraced Vibhishana, the righteous brother of the demon king Ravana, with open arms. Yet, Vali (brother of Sugriva), another seemingly wronged party, faced Rama's wrath. Sri Krishna, the embodiment of compassion, the ultima...
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