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Lessons from Mahabharata and

Ramayana
I have often felt that our epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata have great lessons to teach us.
Here are some life lessons that I have learnt from them.
Wednesday, 29 June 2016 About Me
EVERYONE GROWS
The beauty of dharma is that it is progressive and not stagnant.
Death may seem to be the end of everything for those who are ill informed about the wheel of life.
Death is a small journey in the big picture of the life cycle. Educationalist
What about hell? Hell is surely scary but it is not an eternal damnation. View my complete
Hell is a place of reformation. It's not a destination but a diversion for some time so that the living profile
being can come back to the main avenue of life and live a life of dharma.
Therefore when we read the Mahabharata and other such dharmik literatures we observe that even Blog Archive
the so called asuras, demons and rakshashas had the facility to undo their sins if not in their
current life then in their next life unlike in the abhrhamic culture where the sinful are eternally 2016 (25)
damned to hell. In the vedic tradition the evil after being eliminated by the power of lord Narayana June (3)
progress towards a better facility to take tangible action towards perfection. EVERYONE
The infamous Dhrithrasthra who was highly attached to position, infatuated in his relationship GROWS
with his children and always playing the victim to gain sympathy was a sure candidate for a hellish MY
FREEDOM
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FREEDOM
destination.
KILLS
It was Vidura who inspired Dhritrashtra through a strong dose of verbal medicine and pushed him YOU
to take the decision of active detachment so that he could grow in life. SUPERFICIA
The consistent efforts of Vidura to change the king were eventually successful in inspiring L OR
Dhrithrasthra to take the decision of peacefully walking out of the palace as he genuinely developed SUBSTAN
TIAL
detachment towards everything around him. He became sober at the time death.
Everything has to move in the direction of the destination .The rest is nothing but a complex May (5)
journey which is painful and sometimes pleasurable but the destination is where we want to reach. April (1)
March (9)
Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , June 29, 201 6 No comments:
February (1)
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January (6)
2015 (96)
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
2014 (130)
MY FREEDOM KILLS YOU

The fresh incident of a young man jamming his car over three people and taking two of their life is
a typical action of attitude rather than an accident. When seen from the Mahabharata perspective
the haughty, Duryodhana had inculcated the arrogance of " who cares, I am a son from the royal
family." He did not hesitate to wage a war and be responsible for the death of millions of people,
plus all of his brothers. The cause for this was not the war but limitless arrogance and ego.
Similarly the Delhi incident is not accident but an attitude which is becoming the culture of many
of our youth today. It kills, it makes one desensitised and we citizen question only the laws of
governance but not the laws of the value system within our family. No systems, no governance
neither legalities can alone bring efficiency of actions in all spheres of life. It is values and character
alone which our surroundings gives will benefit us in doing things rightly and of course the right
things.
Wealth and influence has the power to bring us down or take us up. The young man rather than
taking the responsibility for the crime and doing something tangible by being a sensitive human
being and doing welfare work for the under privilege, will spend his father's money to free himself
from the legal problem (most probably hire a very efficient lawyer) and hope to drive back on the
streets of Delhi to celebrate his legal victory. (we hope he is not so insensitive).
Where does the crime begin to happen, in action or in attitude? The Dharmik scriptures answer, it
begins in the attitude of I don't care for the world but I care for my carnal pleasure at the cost of
other people's life.
Hence accident is detail which will keep happening , but a sensitive human being stands up, learns
his lessons and reverses his life cycle by being responsible and changing his course of action. We
certainly pray for the departed but raise an alarm against all those who wish to continue with the
attitude of "who cares." These accidents will continue to happen if we do not change our attitude.
Posted by Educationalist at Tuesday , June 1 4, 201 6 No comments:

Thursday, 2 June 2016
SUPERFICIAL OR SUBSTANTIAL
Dhruva is a short name but it has a long history and an impact of eternity behind it. Dhruva was
slandered by his step mother and neglected by his father simply for trying to fulfil a common
childhood need--to sit on the lap of his father along with his step brother.
When Dhruva expressed his desire to sit on his father 's lap his step mother "Suruchi" meaning one
who is after tasteful things, told Dhruva harshly to take birth in his next life if he desired to sit on
her husband's lap.
Basically she told Dhruva to die. Dhruva mortified, pained and breathing heavily approached his
mother. Suniti meaning one with auspicious morality or ethics seeing Dhruva's predicament and
her own helpless condition of not being able to fulfil her sons wish asked Dhruva to not be angry
with those who caused him pain for they would face their consequences. She did not force Dhruva
to be loyal to her husband and his father who was neglectful.
As a son he had full freedom to choose his path.
She empowered him, even though she was bound by her own cultural loyalty of wife hood. Dhruva
took the words of his mother seriously. He travelled to distant lands and worshiped Vishnu to get
something which was priceless and valuable and beyond the reach of most extraordinary men.
He got what he wanted by the grace of Narayana,the great Narada, and his own mother who was
representing substance; Suniti.
Suruchi represents superficiality of a human being and Suniti represents substance of a human
being. Suruchi's disturb, destabilise and destroy inner satisfaction.
They represent small mindedness, sensuality and happiness which is derived by causing pain to
others.
But Suniti directs Dhruva to see happiness in seeking divinity and fighting the odds but not with the
intention of destroying the opponent but by growing beyond the opponent intellectually spiritually
and as a byproduct growing materially too.
Superficiality has caused and is still causing pain to Dhruvas of the modern world and
unfortunately rather than getting Suniti to guide them they find more Suruchi's who are asking the
Dhruvas to compete, destroy and destabilise.
They die but never give up their small world of sensuality. But if someone gets Suniti then their
direction of life changes and they grow beyond sensuality.
What are we looking substance or superficiality?
Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , June 02, 201 6 No comments:

Friday, 27 May 2016
VOW NOT BROKEN

The reasons for Sri Krishna rushing to attack Bhisma were that with his fierce warfare he was
causing havoc in the Pandav army and more importantly Arjuna's repeated reluctancy to strike his
grand father. Sri krishna's decision to attack Bhisma and to kill him brings us to the debate about
his promise.
Many question the reason as to why would krishna break his promise which he made before the
battle about not raising weapons and not actively fighting?
It's a relevant question and needs to be answered by remembering Sri Krshna's original promise in
fact his eternal promise and his eternal occupation.
All the devatas along with mother Bhumi approached Brahma about the troubles caused by the
demons disguised as rulers, Brahma in turn approached Sri Krishna who promised to appear in this
world to set things right. Krishna appeared and started to establish dharma, by eliminating the
demons or eliminating their rebellion.
Bhisma was not a demon in fact he was one of the most ardent devotee of Sri Krishna but Bhishma
had chosen to fight on behalf of the Kaurvas, who were the last remaining burdens on earth.
Sri Krishna had a choice to break his eternal wow or his temporary vow.
Which vow would we ask Him to follow the real or the apparent?
The superficial people challenge him for breaking the apparent but the substantial people eulogise
him for keeping his eternal promise.
What are we looking for the substance or the shadow?

What kind of questions are we raising the integral ones or the isolated ones? Therefore the very
Bhisma seeing Sri Krishna strike at him dropped every thing, all his weapons and requested Sri
Krishna to release him from his superficial commitment and allow him to follow the real
commitment of being an instrument in the hands of God rather than in the hands of Duryodhana.
Therefore Bhishma who was eventually struck by Arjuna kept on remembering Sri Krishna rushing
at him during the battle at the time of death and he wanted this event to stay forever in his very
existence.
Why so?
Because Bhisma knew Sri Krishna's eternal vow of liberating the bound and liberating the affected
and tormented.
For this Sri Krishna the lord of all life chose to protect his original vow and not his temperory vow.
Posted by Educationalist at Friday , May 27 , 201 6 No comments:

Sunday, 22 May 2016
CLASH OF CIVILIZATION
The Ramayana shows us an artificial Lanka, a natural Kishkinda and a cultural Ayodhya and
many other civilizations in between.
Lanka was very organized with man made systems and resources stolen from everywhere.
Within Lanka was the dictatorial Ravana. He while breaking all the laws himself expected complete
subordination from his subjects.
This subordination was driven by fear and laws were imposed by brutal force. Hence there was an
unnatural orderliness.
In Kishkindha Vali was powerful but not as brutal as Ravana. The vanaras had the same habit as
their king Vali. The subjects of kishkindha were powerful and sensual but not brutal . Of course
with the exception of Hanumana and Jambhavanta. They were untouched by such culture.
Ayodhya was a land of culture, the citizens and the royalty were responsible for each other.
Rules here were followed by inspiration not by imposition.
The legal system was in existence but it was more of a moral system which was self inspired.
None of the people wanted Sri Rama to go to the forest, but he chose to go respecting his father's
promise to Kaikeyi.
Sri Rama did not want Sita to go the forest, but she insisted on going with him. Laxmana was not
even asked to go to the forest and he had no moral or legal obligation to go to the forest.. On the
contrary Laxmana convinced Sri Rama by quoting what Sri Rama had said at the time of his own
coronation that Laxmana would enjoy the prosperity with Sri Rama and now Laxmana chose the
path to go along with Sri Ram as Sri Rama's grace.
Bharata was legally the future king, but he tried his best to bring back Sri Rama and when he failed
he chose to install the wooden shoes of Sri Rama on the throne and performed similar austerities as
Sri Rama was performing in the forest.
He chose this out of his own free will.
We can settle wherever we want to.
In the legal system of Lanka, the Vanara system of Kishkindha with a free life and legal binding
and less moral binding or we can chose to live in Ayodhya with self inspired rules. What do we
want?
Posted by Educationalist at Sunday , May 22, 201 6 No comments:
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
FORGOTTEN HEROINE-----URMILA
In modern times the human mind tries to uncover what the authors of an epic may have over
looked. Urmila is one of the unsung heroines of the Ramayana. She has been completely
overlooked by Valmiki and many have accused the writer of doing injustice to Urmila and other
ladies.
It is important to understand the foundational principle from the characters of Ramayana and the
compiler himself rather than trying to be sympathetic to some one and spoil the taste of
Ramayana.
For eg:- whilst cooking all the hard labor of the farmer who grows the different ingredients used in
making the delicacy is not seen .Most of the times the host is glorified rather than the cook so what
to speak of the harvester, the farmer.
The farmer remains unnoticed all his life producing what he is meant to produce.The theme of the
Ramayana is that some characters are noticed and others remain unnoticed but both perform
unlimited sacrifice.
This is the core theme of the Ramayana, Urmila remains unnoticed but never makes an issue.
Why? Because she is happy serving, being in service is her pleasure and recognition is immaterial .
Valmiki muni is a sensitive author and entertwines different characters according to the mood and
plot of the story.
The underlying principle of the Ramayana is that sacrifice is sacrifice it is made with or without
recognition.
Like the farmer is not even remembered while enjoying the high quality food.
Do we ever think of them while eating?
Do we ever glorify them for producing good quality?
Seldom, is it not?
But without them food is not there.
Life moves on with so many sacrifices which are completely unnoticed but the sacrifice is sacrifice.
A person with substance does not sacrifice with the intentions of being recognized. If he is glorified
he feels dirty. For them sacrifice is a great privilege, and recognition is nothing but a by product.
Let us not tamper with the sensitive Valmiki and silent Urmila who did everything to make their
sacrifice since time and immemorial.
A perspective other than this one is not the substance of Ramayana. It is a hollow and shallow
imagination of the selfish and small mindedness of non-Ramayana.
Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , May 1 8, 201 6 No comments:

Sunday, 8 May 2016
COMPASSION AND QUALIFICATION

Do we need to be compassionate only if we have resources? The Ramayana sometimes may
indicate this to us.
Sugriva was extremely hesitant in accepting Vibhishana as their ally, fearing that he might harm
Sri Rama and Laxmana. Sugriva was arguing and warning Sri Rama of the dangerous
consequences.
Sri Rama was unmoved and made it clear to every one saying " I can trample the entire world
what to speak of Vibhishana, with one of my little finger."
No one could dare abuse Sri Rama's kind heartedness, if they tried then he was competent enough.
Sri Rama had the ability, courage and unlimited power to take the risk of being compassionate to
Vibhshana without fearing about the consequences.
Sri Rama had practicality in his compassion. Similarly Sri Krishna had compassion in his
practicality too.
When Sri Krishna came as peace maker and the attempt failed the fate was sealed and war broke
out.
Sri Krishna advised Karna to join the Pandavas till Bhisma was living. Since Bhisma and Karna
had decided not to fight simultaneously till one of them was alive .
Sri Krishna was hoping to use Karna for breaking the confidence of the Kuravas, and at the same
giving an opportunity to Karna to render some tangible service to dharma.
Karna declined the golden opportunity.
Whether one is qualified like Sri Rama to be compassionate to Vibhishana or Sri Krishna being
practical towards Karna the foundational principle is the same.
It is an integral part of life rather than conflicting. Ordinarily our compassion is abused and
attacked and our practicality lacks the trace of humanness.
But the great Sri Rama and Sri Krishna teach us eternal life lessons .
Are we learning?
Posted by Educationalist at Sunday , May 08, 201 6 No comments:

Thursday, 5 May 2016
HANUMANA THE LIFE GIVER

When Meghanath, the son of Ravana attacked the army of Sri Rama with the weapon of
Brahmastra the monkey army was reduced by one sixth. Some of the monkey chieftains survived
even though attacked by this weapon. When Vibhishana, regained consciousness, he asked
Jambhavana are you alright? Jambhavana responded by raising a question whether Hanumana
was living are not?
Vibhishana was surprised and asked Jambhavana, why was he not asking about Sri Rama or
Laxmana's safety? Jambhavana answered ,
" if Hanumana is alive then every one can be revived, but if Hanumana is gone we have no hope. "
Jambhavana's confidence in Hanumana is fascinating. One who was equally powerful in the past
but currently was reduced to being less powerful had no regrets about being less powerful. He had
the heart to find some one who was better than him. Even in his unconscious conscious stage,
Jambhavana was discerning about whose living will bring life .
Eventually Hanumana went to the north and brought the medicinal herb to revive one and all, but
it was Jambhavana whose confidence in Hanumana played a key role in Hanumana getting the
medicinal herb.
The victory of Sri Rama over Ravana is the story of many stalwarts pushing the potential warrior
to take the lions of credit to benefit Sri Rama while they remained in the background seeing them
perform the Herculean task.
Certainly we celebrate Hanumana's glory, but we are silently also grateful to Jambhavana in
steering Hanumana by reminding and boosting him about his valour.
Jai Hanumana and Jai Jambhavana.
Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , May 05, 201 6 No comments:

Monday, 4 April 2016
YUDHISTHIRA ANSWERS
Y aksha asked, "what is asceticism and what is true restraint?
What constitutes forgiveness and what is shame? "
Y udhisthira said "staying within the boundaries of one s own svadharma is true asceticism;
the restraints of the mind is real control,
forgiveness consists of enduring enmity and
shame in withdrawing from all unworthy acts. "
Y udhisthira's answer is brilliant, especially with regards to svadharma. In essence what is

svadharma? Svadharma is the force of our psycho- physical nature.
Sri krishna says in the Gita it is better to perform one's own duty imperfectly rather than perform
another's duty perfectly. It is tempting to do something which gives money rather than doing that
which makes one happy and responsible.
Modern civilisation has geared us to be successful and avoid failure. In reality life is to be qualified
by a man of character. In the Mahabharata this was the battle between Duryodhana and
Y udhsthira. Duryodhana wanted to be successful and Y udhsthira wanted to be qualified.
Success requires position, power and prosperity of matter. But qualification looks for responsibility,
character and values. Therefore the other three restrain. forgiveness and shame are unknown, non
experienced concepts for someone who is looking for successful. But for those who are looking for
qualification their life is governed by shame, forgiveness and restrain. Since Y udhsthira was
practicing these it was not difficult for him to answer the questions raised by his father who had
disguised as the un-embodied Y aksha.
We can only answer questions if we have experienced the answer. If we have not then we need
coaching classes. To experience the answer or to write the answer without understanding , the
choice is ours.
To be a student like Duryodhana without experiencing the answer or to be a student like

Y udhisthira living the answer , it's our choice.
Posted by Educationalist at Monday , April 04, 201 6 No comments:

Thursday, 31 March 2016
YUDHISTHIRA'S INTEGRAL ANSWER

The questions raised by Y aksha, the disguised the father of Y udhisthira are intriguing and
Y udhisthira's answers are deeply integrated.
Y aksha asked, " What is the most laudable thing?
What is the most valuable of all his possessions?
What is the best of all gains?
And what is the best of all kinds of happiness?"
Y udhisthira answered; " the most laudable thing is skill,
the best of all possessions is knowledge,
the best of all gain is health
and contentment is the best of all kinds of happiness. "
Basically the questions cover many facets to life. For some one who is not mature and not having
an integral approach to life would give contradictory answers , but Y udhisthira's answer was fully
integrated and there was no contradiction in the answer
We need skill, but not at the cost of knowledge and health. One may have knowledge and health
but what about contentment?
One cannot say a poor man is content. Either he is lying or he is lazy or he is a useless bum.
If none of the above then he could be a highly evolved self realized yogi. Now none of these
category of people are relevant to ordinary folks, the bums are a burden , liars are socially and
morally corrupt, the lazy ones are demotivating and the yogi is fascinating but cannot be
emulated. So Y udhisthira's answer is relevant for the most of the people who are active in this
world doing their duties and trying to harmonize skill, health, wisdom and happiness. If they are
successful they are yogis in their own might .
Y oga is the science of integrating from ordinary to divine, connecting human to God and
harmonizing the practical and the ideal.
For the ordinary people these were apparently different questions but for some one like Y udhisthira
who saw things in harmony it was easy to see harmony in the questions and what to speak of the
answer.
Hence Y udhsthira's approach is the real and practical approach to life as compared to the yogis
who are lost in their own bliss.
Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , March 31 , 201 6 2 comments:

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Saturday, 26 March 2016
NEUTRALITY IS DEATH
There was one person who was rejected by both the parties in the battle of Kurukshetra --Rukmi,
the brother of Rukmini.
He approached the Pandavas first. He boasted about his power as if he was going to finish all the
Kurus but the Pandavas were not impressed.They conveyed to him that they did not need his
services .
Rukmi in an upset frame of mind approached Duryodhana.
The fearless and boastful Duryodhana was not impressed with Rukmi. Once again Rukmi was
rejected and he was forced to be a neutral party.
Balarama, the Lord of the Y adus, had sympathy for Duryodhana and he too avoided the war .He
did not wish to upset his dear brother Sri Krishna by being on the side of Duryodhana and hence he
went on a pilgrimage.
On the last day of the battle when the final onslaught between Bhima and Duryodhana was about
to start the great Y adava Balarama appeared.
He was about to witness a battle amongst two of his students who had turned into enemies for life.
They were on the verge of deciding their own fate and the future of Hastinapura.
Bhima was strong and powerful , Duryodhana was skilful and fierce. Bhima struck Duryodhana
below the belt and broke the rule of mace fighting.
Balarama was furious and was about to strike, Sri Krishna hastily intervened reminding Balarama
of his resolve to be neutral.
Sri Balarama was forced to take sides and this is life.
People say they are neutral and hence speak indecisive language which indicates that their loyalty
and conviction is on neither side .
However in certain situations their inner feeling manifests and they take sides.
Sri Krishna had made it clear that he would not fight but he would chose or be on the side of
dharma.
In fact he had given the choice to Arjuna to choose between him and his army. Arjuna was happy
chosing Krishna and Duryodhana was happy with the army.
Therefore taking sides is important.
in fact life challenges us to take decisions.
Neutrality also makes us take sides eventually and at times back fires because it is abrupt.
Making a conscious choice of taking sides and sticking for life with that choice is reality.
Whose side are we on ?
Certainly on the side of dharma and those who represent it.
Posted by Educationalist at Saturday , March 26, 201 6 1 comment:

QUALIFICATION OR RECOMMENDATION
When the Pandavas completed their 12 years of exile and one year of incognito they were
discussing the future course of action .
The assembled members after deep deliberation decided to send a very qualified person in the
assembly of the kurus on behalf of Pandavas, to get back their kingdom. Draupada maharaja found
a person who could fit the qualification to deal with the Kurus in an effective manner.
Mahabharata describes the person who is actually qualified to handle the challenging situations.
"Drupada said, 'Of all the beings those who are endowed with life are superior. Of all living beings
those who are endowed with intelligence are superior. Of the intelligent creatures men are superior.
Of the men the twice-born( those who have duly imitated based on their qualification ) are
superior.
Of the twice-born, students of the Veda(not simply bookish but over all knowledge of dharma ) are
superior.
Of students of the Veda those of cultured understanding are superior.
Of cultured men practical persons are superior.
And finally, of practical men those knowing the Supreme Being are superior.
Y ou, it seems to me, are at the very top of those that are of cultured understanding.
Qualification is not inherited automatically but one has to earn it by one's own endeavour and
God's grace. Goodness is not a noun it is a verb. In Sanskrita it is called 'kriya pada.' It is action
centric and not appointment centric. It's not a position it's a journey while fighting with one's
limitations.
Draupada did not choose him primarily because he was recommended by some friendly relatives
rather the Brahmana had proved his qualification by constantly upgrading his skills values and
character.
Choosing is not appointing it is empowering the person to walk the journey in life of leadership.
Does it make sense?
Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , March 24, 201 6 2 comments:

Tuesday, 22 March 2016
RELIGION, RACE AND SPIRITUALITY
When we study the history of humans in this world, we find that three components have always
existed. One is religion, the other is race and the third is spirituality.
Religion is superficial in one sense as people can convert, reconvert and and can give up their
connections to join religion. Most of the time it takes strategy, imposition and bribing to make
people religious.
With regards to race and natural identity, it is deeper than religious identity. Europe became a
christian country but their racial identity remains unchanged.. The Germans have trouble with the
English and the English with the French. One continent, one currency one religion but racism
keeps them apart from each other. Racism supersedes their religion.Their white body too can't
unite them. Racism gives a strong identity. A frenchman was narrating an incident about how
most of the young French have stopped attending church only the old are visiting and with lack of
clergy the church in France once had to call an African priest to conduct the sermons.The power
of racism in the old French was so high that they decided to quit the church rather than the race.
Race has connection to ego, religion has connection to belief. Belief can be challenged and race can
be covered artificially but to give up is almost impossible as long as one is not evolved spiritually.
Till then race will keep sticking out its face all the time.
How is spirituality different from religion and race?
Spirituality is the journey of the living entity beyond the identity of body and belief. It's the
constitutional nature of a living being to be eternally existing, blissful and full of knowledge or
wisdom. It transcends everything, while using race and religion but never gets entangled in the
superficialities of it. The Dharmik scriptures give a universal definition of God saying that "God is
one from whom everything emanate and is full within himself. He is the master of everything. "
We do not serve him out of any imposition rather we serve him because it is benficial to us .
Hence spirituality and healthy identity with scientific rituals need to be harmonised according to
our situations and implemented so that our eternal identity is established.
Posted by Educationalist at Tuesday , March 22, 201 6 No comments:

Sunday, 20 March 2016
PROPAGANDA RIGHT OR WRONG?

It is said that when a lie is spoken repeatedly for a long time loudly it takes the conviction of truth
in the heart of those who listen to it.
This is called propaganda. Those who make such propaganda are not interested in debating their
conviction with others specially with those who have contrary views. They are happy in getting
gullible and simple folks to their clan.
This was the sad story even in the Ramayana when mother Sita was sent to the forest. She had
proved her purity not because she was asked to but because she wanted to show her purity when
she met Sri Rama the first time after the kidnapping by Ravana. This was done in the presence of
the citizens of Lanka and the soldiers of Sugriva.
The citizens of Ayodhya, had heard the entire story from many people. The exploits of Sri Rama
became their enlightenment and entertainment. Affection for the life and soul of Sri Rama and his
counterpart Sita increased manifold upon hearing these stories. Unfortunately the propaganda of
doubting her purity was spreading, how and why no one knew. The propoganda was completely
false but it made a great impact on the citizens of Ayodhaya. They were questioning the integrity of
Sita and Sri Rama, even though they loved and respected them .
The questioning became the talk of the town!!
This became the turning point of the Ramayana. Sri Rama was forced to take the decision of
sending mother Sita out of Ayodhaya to the ashrama of Valmiki muni. Unfortunately the citizens
did not connect the danger dots which were clashing with each other, the love for Sita Rama ,their
talks of her purity and the consequent ouster of Sita from Ayodhya.
Their freedom of speech took the very life away from Ayodhya.
Similarly in this world we do not realize the power of propaganda, which happens just because it is
fun, or has an element of creating unnecessary controversy to create unrest or with the intention of
breaking the civilization for the sake of creating a rift.
Hence the sin of propaganda has no alternative but to find and speak the truth as strongly as
possible, as loudly as possible ,and as articulately as possible.
Sri Valmiki maharshi taught both the sons of Sri Sita and Rama, the ultimate truth of the beautiful
poetry of Sri Sita Ramas life.This melted the hearts of the citizens and of Sri Rama who had never
questioned the character of Sita. But it was too late and Sita had ended her journey.
The interesting thing is that propaganda is disastrous, causes pain and never gives fulfillment.
Some elements in India are creating propaganda to break this land, but look around the broken
parts of Bharat like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Everyone is suffering immensely. Division causes
pain to everyone, because it is artificial, but diversity in spite of its challenges is beautiful.
Do we want diversity or do we want division caused by the venom of hate.
Stand for diversity and fight against division.
This is the foundational principle of bharatiya culture.
Posted by Educationalist at Sunday , March 20, 201 6 3 comments:

GOD JEALOUS?
The world comprises of multifaceted people, thinking, feeling, communicating, acting and
translating their experiences in their own unique way.This reality is difficult to change. Any
amount of force, imposition or legalisation to create uniformity will only bring division and conflict.
The Dharmik scriptures repeatedly display this, not as a divisive force but as a diverse force. Variety
is nature's speciality, where in men of wisdom are able to harmonise this variety seamlessly .
In the Gita, Sri Krishna talks to Arjuna describing the multifarious worshippers, who they worship
and their destination.
Unlike the abhramic culture which condemns anything that is not confirming to its ideology.
What the Bhagvad Gita says is accomdating. Krishna is not an autocratic God.
We see that in diversity Krishna can unite and coexist with less or little conflict and violence.
Sri Krishna wants people to be connected with dharma either directly or indirectly. Directly by
worshiping him and seeing him in everything that people do. Indirectly by worshiping devas or his
energy and moving and evolving in life.
The Vedas do not describe the supreme Brahman as being a jealous lover. He is supreme and he
lovingly accepts the position of being limited to experience our relationship and gives experience of
allowing relationship to all.
The supreme God gives supreme independence to his Jiva to choose and grow harmoniously and
no one has the right to take this independence away.
Does it makes sense? If yes then use the independence rather than abusing it. When we use our
independence in this manner we experience the power of being supremely independent even whilst
handling diverse individuals who are worshipping the Brahman who has offered us this greatest
gift.
Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , March 1 7 , 201 6 1 comment:

Friday, 11 March 2016
KURUKSHETRA EXISTS !
Kurukshetra the town is a reality which can be experienced by all of us. But Kurukshetra the battle
field of Mahabharata, how can we believe, feel or experience?
Kurukshetra of Mahabharata is an eternal reality .Our experiences of life lead us to make an
attempt to understand the freshness in the dilemma experienced by Arjuna.
The over all structure of Mahabharata is the representation of a continuum of conflict in the heart
of a sincere Dharmik person.
The conflict always being to fight the war or to do away with it ?
In fighting one may become a stimulus to causing pain to one's dear and near one's like grand
father Bhisma and Drona. In not fighting one may cause perpetual violence to the civilization for a
long time .
This confusion of Dharmik Arjuna is the central theme of the Gita and many Dharmik characters
of Mahabharata. The conflict being in the process to be used to eliminate the non dharmik
characters.
The non dharmik have no conflict. They have clarity of what action to perform and why to
perform.
They are selfish and want success at any cost.They know the rules of the game.The Dharmik
person has clarity in what he wants but he experirnces conflict in how to achieve what he wants.
He wants dharma to flourish but he is cornered in regards to how to achieve it. This is an eternal
dilemma for the good people.
The good people struggle to deal with the bad, fearing that they may end up being bad themselves.
They also know that if they don't deal with the bad people then more destruction and suffering will
prevail.
Therefore Sri Krishna teaches them the art being good without becoming nasty and using
diplomatic strategies to eliminate the bad.
This process causes a continuum of struggle of inner reflection and self analysis in the life of
Dharmik people like the Pandavas. Eventually dharma prevails in their life with the help of Sri
Krishna.
Such Kurukshetra is an eternal reality for all of us. Why not learn the art of fighting the war from
Kurukshetra ?The war between the physical emotional and the intellectual conflict.
Does this not make Kurukshetra real for you and me forever?
Posted by Educationalist at Friday , March 1 1 , 201 6 1 comment:

Wednesday, 9 March 2016
BUILDING OR BREAKING
Breaking requires brutality without limits. Building or bringing people requires real valour, not the
valour of sword but the valour of a large heart, deep thoughts, sharp intellect, fierce actions and the
disposition of an innocent child. One may question whether such a combination exists in
humanity?
The seeker of the ideal looks for these kind of people to worship, adore and emulate. They are folks
of the swan club, the swan which is known for extracting milk from water.
The Ramayana consistently depicts this ideal amidst brutality.
Bharata had kingship on his platter offered by the father, agreed by Sri Rama and conceived by
Kaikeyi on the instigation of evil Manthara but he strived for the ideal and united all afflicted
parties as one family. Ayodhya was united to bring back Sri Rama to their kingdom.
Sri Hanumana had the choice to serve King Vali or the homeless Sugriva. He knew very well that
Sugriva had little chance to reclaim the kingdom from Vali. In such a situation Hanumana did not
desert Sugriva. He eventually united him with Sri Rama his family and citizens.
What was Hanumanji's gain? Complete satisfaction.
Jatayu tried to unite Sri Rama and Sita while instructing Ravana to have coherent thoughts and
actions which were harmonious with the laws of nature .Jatayu failed in his life and success was
out of his reach but satisfaction of doing the right thing? That became his reward for eternity. He is
ever glorified in the pages of Ramayana.
When citizens of Lanka experienced disaster caused by Sri Rama's army, they did not blame Sri
Rama, but blamed the cruel and insensitive Surphankha for their ordeal. She was brutal in
breaking for the satusfsction of her ego.
Similarly there are forces in this world who organise their life in ways to break families, societies
and nations. They may get success, but what about happiness?
Therefore it is pertinent to have the right vision .
Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , March 09, 201 6 No comments:

Saturday, 5 March 2016
DIVINITY IN DIVERSITY
The human mind experiences confusion in variety, but one who is elevated sees variety as the
power of divinity manifesting every where.
Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita says, "one who sees me in everything and everything in me, is
never lost to me nor am I lost to him."
Seeing Brahman everywhere is not an artificial imposition on the mind or some brain washed
intelligence rather it is an experience of eternal and fundamental principles. Therefore sanatana
dharma and the laws of nature are synonymous. It is said that dharma is not man made.
It is experienced by sensitive human beings by the process of Y oga.
The great Pandavas could not give up dharma, because dharma was every where for them to
experience and perceive. Their conviction in dharma was internal and not based on the influence of
an external bombardment by a teacher.
Teachers are great benedictions but not those teachers who teach specific exams.They are tutors,
they prepare us for exams.
Teachers facilitate and empower us to experience and translate experiences of life into wisdom and
help create an ability to handle diverse experiences, thrive in them rather than being thwarted by
them, to grow and to translate the confusing and conflicting diversity .
Duryodhana was leading a great life and was blind to the realities of life. He never expected his
relatives to ever challenge him.
His mother was affectionate to him and his father was infatuated by him. His brothers were
submissive and idolised him.The Pandavas came and shattered his world. He could not handle the
different and non confirming experiences.This diverse relation incapacitated him .He wanted to
destroy the Pandavas.
The dharmik Pandavas were trained to be masters in handling diversity . Duryodhana tried to
destroy the Pandavas in many ways.
Duryodhana denied diversity and chose to be a part of the deadly and brutal colossal death of large
people. Uniformity in brutal death. Pandavas continued experiencing diversity as they did from the
beginning of their childhood till their final destination.
Posted by Educationalist at Saturday , March 05, 201 6 2 comments:

Monday, 1 February 2016
BRUTALITY IN REFINENESS
It is easy to suspect criminals and addicts and guard oneself from their assault. Media sometimes
creates a more brutal picture about them and makes them appear as more cruel than they are.
Maybe this is needed for the safety of the public .
But what about the under cover brutal intellectuals, academicians , modernists and even the so
called religious clergies and priests who design a clear plan to eliminate an entire civilisation?
Ravana when he came as a sadhu to kidnap Sita was able to convince Sita about his genuineness,
purity , innocence and kindness. Ravana kidnapped Sita but was unable to convert her. The
modern and young generation are easy, vulnerable, and utterly unaware of realities of life and are
getting converted to Ravana's culture. They are accepting their kidnappers as reformers.
Putana the child killer demoness sent by Kamsa to kill Sri Krishna could cheat the Gopis in handing
over Sri Krishna to her. Sri Krishna an ever alert baby sucked her life and poison instead.
Unfortunately the modern Putana's are in the guise of educational institutes, research centres and
non Government organisations. They are feeding the poison of rebellion against the deep culture of
Dharmik tradition.The innocent mothers and the ignorant kids are drinking this poison and getting
slaughtered of their values and ethics which are rooted in dharma.
Refined crooks have skills, abilities and resources to make people discard their culture and
confidence.
We need Sri Krishna, his knowledge and strategy to deal with these refined crooks.
When Y udhisthira took over as the King, a trusted aide of Duryodhana came to Y udhsthira and
assaulted him verbally by slandering him for being responsible for the war. His goal was to spread
ill feeling about Y udhsthira amongst the citizens so that peace could not prevail.
However alert citizens headed by honest and loyal educationalists destroyed his argument and his
existence.
The alertness and awareness inculcated by the knowledge of scripture and Dharmik tradition is the
only way in which a selfless life can prevail .
Posted by Educationalist at Monday , February 01 , 201 6 No comments:

Friday, 29 January 2016
INTENTION, ACTION AND IMPACT

People ask between intention action and impact which is most crucial? The simple and straight
answer would be impact, since impact is the deciding factor. But when we delve a little deeper we
realize that the above answer of "impact " is superficial and isolated.
The integral answer would be to harmonize the three. Good intention without right actions leads to
perpetual confusion. Right action without right intentions are mechanistic and there is no human
sensitivity. Great impact without intent and right actions leads to short lived celebrations.It is like
watching a movie that gives a great impact, but what intent is there and what actions were
involved in impact is the real question.
When Bhisma decided to fight on behalf of the kurus he had the great intention of being true to his
vows, but his actions were anti-dharma and anti God. There was a conflict between intent and
action.
When Karna decided to perform charity relentlessly, his action of charity was laudable, but what
was his intention?
To eliminate Arjuna by the blessing received by such charity.
Duryodhana's victory during gambling match was impacting the kuru Kula. There was prosperity
for the Kauravas, but their action and intentions were shady and brutal. Another example is of
Y udhsthira's lamentation after the war .The war was fought with good intentions and most of the
time with right actions and the impact was a Dharmik kingdom, but the colossal human loss due
to war caused perpetual pain to Y udhsthira maharaja.
Therefore dharma says try to harmonise the three -intentions, actions and impact to the
maximum degree possible .That is sanatana dharma. It may be difficult at times to be harmonious
then certain rare compromises are suggested. Those comprmises are apadha dharma, meaning
emergency decisions.But apada dharma is not sanatana dharma. when emergency become
everyday dharma, then it is adharma. Hence Balance and harmony becomes our responsibility.
Posted by Educationalist at Friday , January 29, 201 6 No comments:

Wednesday, 27 January 2016
MOVING AWAY
A civilization flourishes and suddenly it becomes uninhabited. Why does this happen and who
causes it?
While Sri Rama and Laxmana were accompanying the great sage Vishwamitra muni to chastise
the intruding demons in the Y agna of the sages they crossed many places. Vishwamitra muni told
them about the history of the places that they crossed .He talked of Angamalaja a place where
Indra was purified by the devatas and where Tataka was living. Such a famous place had now
become uninhabited.
The flourishing city of Mathura after Jarasandh's attack was deserted by the Y adavas.
Ayodhya was given up by Lava and Kusha and Kushasthali was made into a flourishing metropolis.
In due course Kushasthali was forgotten until Sri Krishna refurbished the city and named it
Dwaraka. As time passed Dwaraka was inundated to the extent that people question it's existence
today.
Even in medival history we hear about the great town of Hampi the capital of Vijayanagar which
today has become a historic place of ruins.
Shivaji's Raigad is reduced to a tourist spot.
Britain, who conquered almost the entire world has shrinking number of original Brits staying in
London what an irony?
This is a pattern of life creating something substantial so that eventually it remains in some obscure
pages of history. The beauty and reality is that for the legacy to continue one has to keep doing
what our ancestors have done knowing well enough that all creation has a limited life span but has
a continuum of legacy. So the great Dharmik people create in a way as if what they create is going
to exist eternally and simultaneously have the mental detachment after creation.
In living and leaving is an amazing harmony of life.
One gives meaning and the other gives feeling of non attachment. Living gives legacy and leaving
gives non attachment.
Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , January 27 , 201 6 No comments:

Monday, 25 January 2016
REASONS AND DECISION

When we decide to do something with certain reasons we feel "we have taken the right decision for
the right reasons." However at a later date we realise that there is a big gap between the right
reason and the right decision.
To illustrate this we can study the examples of Arjuna and Hanumana. Arjuna had great reasons
for not fighting the battle, but not fighting was not a choice during the Kurukshetra conflict. Arjuna
reasoned with Sri Krishna that fighting will create lossof life and how could he fight against those
who were worship-able like Bhisma and Drona.
He reasoned that the ancestors would not beoffered due final rites which they deserved, womenfolk
would be neglected and would be prone to exploitation and family traditions would be destroyed.
Sri Krishna did not object to his reasoning but questioned the decision of not fighting.
Sri Hanumana on other hand made the amazing decision of accepting Vibhishana under Sri
Rama's shelter. But Hanumana's reasons for accepting Vibhishana were unacceptable to Sri
Rama. Hanumana reasoned that Vibhishana had no fault and he suggested that Vibhishan had
come to take shelter of Sri Rama on hearing that Sri Rama was giving the kingdom to Sugriva by
eliminating Vali. Sri Rama objected to Hanumana's reasons but was glad that Hanumana was
wanting that Sri Rama accept Vibhishana. Vibhishana s shortcoming was that he had served
Ravana for long and that he was Ravana 's brother.
Arjuna's reasons were worthy but his decision?
Hanumana's decision was wonderful but his reasons?
It is important to minimise the gap between the right reasons and the right decision so that there is
a long lasting effect.
Right reason and a good decision is a great legacy maker.
Posted by Educationalist at Monday , January 25, 201 6 1 comment:

Wednesday, 6 January 2016
COW AND WAR

It is strange that we seldom learn from history and hence history repeats its patterns. Only the
names of the characters and place of action changes. It is true that one can never create a pure
world and such a world does not exist. The world infact is full of duality. Good will certainly bring
the bad, if not today then tomorrow it will certainly come.
Once the great king, Kartiviryarjuna become arrogant, and puffed up, by the daily activities of
ruling the kingdom and every body obeying him. One day he went to hunt in the forest. Being very
thirsty, he visited the Ashrama ofJamdagneya Rishi. The king was expecting some comfort for his
exhaustion but not great luxury.
The king was intrigued when he was welcomed with great opulence.
He wondered how such an ordinary bramin could provide such an opulent treat? What was the
mystery? Instead of simply appreciating, he wanted to know the source of the hosts ability to
entertain.
He heard from the inmates of the Ashrama that the source of opulence was the great Kamadhenu
cow(wish fulfilling cow). The king was determined to have this cow for himself. Jamdagney
refused to part with the cow saying, that it is like asking me to give my pious credits to you , it
needs to be earned by personal endevour. "
The king was in no mood to listen, he became violent and dragged the cow by his military power
.The cow did not budge, the King beheaded the sage, and carried his blood dripping head in front of
the cow. The cow started walking towards the sage as if following her loving guardian.
This henious act of King Kartiviryarjuna was the turning point of his life .
Jamdagneya's son, Parashurama, the warrior brahamana, dismantled and destroyed the king by
wiping out his kingdom .He fought till Aryavrata was freed from such demoniac kings.
There are many such episodes narrated in our dharmik traditions. These incidents indicate that a
cow based prosperity has to be earned with grace and affection towards them. When force and
brutality is used there is bound to be violence and bloodshed .
Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , January 06, 201 6 No comments:

Monday, 4 January 2016
VOICE OF THE DEAD

Voice of the dead creates fear in our minds as we assume that the voice belongs to a ghost. This
voice of the dead is a symbolic connotation.
It refers to studying the history of the dead to learn something substantial. Vidura spoke to
Dhritharasthra when Duryodhana was born. He was wise enough to see death in future if this new
born baby was allowed to live by the blind King in the future.The history of the dead kuru kula was
probably reminding him of taking the right decision at the right moment.
King Bharata who was the ancestor of king Dhritharasthra was a dharmik ruler and hence for the
sake of his citizens had renounced his useless and wasteful children, and instead chose an outsider
for the post of King.
The dead spoke without speaking.
When Gandhari saw her dead children on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, she did not learn her
lesson. Her anger and pain made her curse rather than warn the other living members of the royal
order. She cursed Sri Krishna, that His family would die in a fratricidal war. She believed that her
peace was in making pieces of the royal family by their war. The dead caused her to create more
death in the future.
Y udhisthira on hearing from Arjuna the departure of the Y adavas from this world, including Sri
Krishna and Balarama, was mortified. He was ready to move out of this world. Disappearance of
the lord made him lose all ties with this world, and made him contemplate on moving towards the
ultimate destination.The departed spoke to him and he decided to move. He saw the death of all his
family members as he moved, but he did not stop.
A dog was the only one who followed.
Indra came to take him to a higher realm, Y udhisthira denied and said that he would not go
without the dog.
Indra was amused he asked you have given up your family why not this this dog?
Y udhisthira said, I gave up on my family because they are dead and they cannot go along with
me. This dog has been loyal and I shall not give up on him". The dead Pandavas inspired
Y udhishitra not to waste and to move on.
Eventually they were all united beyond birth and death in transcendence. Every one has a voice,
including the dead.
Do we hear them?
Its our choice to hear the dead deaf or the dead living, does it make sense?
Posted by Educationalist at Monday , January 04, 201 6 No comments:

Saturday, 2 January 2016
DIFFERENT SHASTRAS AND DIFFERENT ROLES
World, life and leaving have different perspectives at different points in time in our life and for
aiding our vision Vyasadeva compiled a range of literatures. They are interconnected, harmonious
and non- conflicting. Conflict exists for those who see them from an exclusivist view point.
For observing the realities of the world, we have the Upnishadas, which are secular, abstract, non
descriptive and principle centric. It is important that our observations about cosmic law.
be based on them .
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana give the vision of how to live in the world. They are not only
descriptive but are depictive. Mahabharata talks of an active world and therefore it always remains
contemporary. Like some one said, immortals always are contemporary. We can see the
Duryodhanas, Dushashanas, Shakunis and the confused Karnas in our lives even today.
Ramayana teaches us about leadership and it's lone battle . It teaches us that if one is honest and
hard working the fulfillment is immense. It talks of Rama who as a leader had to forsake all
relationships for his duty and the kingdom.
Bhagavatam talks about deflecting from this world, seeing everything as futile and going towards
the non-existent. The only reality being that of intense affection for the soul of our soul the
supreme lord, who enchanted every one by his sweet pastimes in Vrindavana.
While living in this world most people live the life of a householder. If one is able to balance the
three aspects of life namely the world , living and leaving then at the right time one becomes
completely detached form this world while being fully active in ones sva dharama.
The Pandavas are a typical example of such behavior. They had upanishadic observation, an epic
like involvement in the world and puranic like detachment. Hence when it was time for them to
move away form this world, they did it in a very beautiful way
Posted by Educationalist at Saturday , January 02, 201 6 No comments:

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Lessons from Mahabharata and

Wednesday, 29 June 2016 About Me

MY FREEDOM KILLS YOU

Posted by Educationalist at Tuesday , June 1 4, 201 6 No comments:

Thursday, 2 June 2016

What are we looking substance or superficiality?

Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , June 02, 201 6 No comments:

Friday, 27 May 2016

VOW NOT BROKEN

What are we looking for the substance or the shadow?

Posted by Educationalist at Friday , May 27 , 201 6 No comments:

Sunday, 22 May 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Sunday , May 22, 201 6 No comments:

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , May 1 8, 201 6 No comments:

Sunday, 8 May 2016

COMPASSION AND QUALIFICATION

Posted by Educationalist at Sunday , May 08, 201 6 No comments:

Thursday, 5 May 2016

HANUMANA THE LIFE GIVER

Jai Hanumana and Jai Jambhavana.

Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , May 05, 201 6 No comments:

Monday, 4 April 2016

Y udhisthira's answer is brilliant, especially with regards to svadharma. In essence what is

To be a student like Duryodhana without experiencing the answer or to be a student like

Posted by Educationalist at Monday , April 04, 201 6 No comments:

Thursday, 31 March 2016

YUDHISTHIRA'S INTEGRAL ANSWER

Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , March 31 , 201 6 2 comments:

Saturday, 26 March 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Saturday , March 26, 201 6 1 comment:

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , March 24, 201 6 2 comments:

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Tuesday , March 22, 201 6 No comments:

PROPAGANDA RIGHT OR WRONG?

Posted by Educationalist at Sunday , March 20, 201 6 3 comments:

Thursday, 17 March 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Thursday , March 1 7 , 201 6 1 comment:

Friday, 11 March 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Friday , March 1 1 , 201 6 1 comment:

Wednesday, 9 March 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , March 09, 201 6 No comments:

Saturday, 5 March 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Saturday , March 05, 201 6 2 comments:

Monday, 1 February 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Monday , February 01 , 201 6 No comments:

Friday, 29 January 2016

INTENTION, ACTION AND IMPACT

Posted by Educationalist at Friday , January 29, 201 6 No comments:

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , January 27 , 201 6 No comments:

Monday, 25 January 2016

REASONS AND DECISION

Posted by Educationalist at Monday , January 25, 201 6 1 comment:

Wednesday, 6 January 2016

COW AND WAR

Posted by Educationalist at Wednesday , January 06, 201 6 No comments:

Monday, 4 January 2016

VOICE OF THE DEAD

Posted by Educationalist at Monday , January 04, 201 6 No comments:

Saturday, 2 January 2016