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IS AMBITION A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD OF GREATNESS? … by Kamlesh Tripathi

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    To quote Mark Antony in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, “    Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;/I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him./The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones;/So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus/Hath told you Caesar was ambitious./If it were so, it was a grievous fault,/And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it”.

    Ambition is highly incendiary. It can illuminate the path to greatness or burn everything in its heat. In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Caesar’s ambition is both political and personal. He is neither a clear villain nor an innocent victim. His rise to power threatens to jeopardise the balance of the Roman Republic. To Brutus and the conspirators, Caesar’s growing influence signals a danger to Rome’s liberty and its soul. They believe that if Caesar’s ambition is left unchecked, it would transform a free republic into a monarchy. But as per Shakespeare, Caesar’s ambition is as much perceived as proven. He refuses the crown three times. He speaks for the people and wins their loyalty. His “fault,” perhaps, lies not in the naked greed for power but in his pride. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more,” says Brutus. Ambition must be punished before it turns into tyranny. But Shakespeare refuses to make the judgment easy. Caesar’s ambition is not that of a usurper.   He is neither the villain nor the saint of the play.

    In Indian mythology, we find numerous characters whose fates mirror that of Caesar’s. Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, was a scholar, warrior, and devotee of Lord Shiva. Yet his depraved ambition to be invincible and possess Sita led him to his downfall. As a result, his strength turned to self-destruction. Finally, it wasn’t Rama’s arrows alone that destroyed him, but his own unchecked ambition. The same holds for Duryodhana in the Mahabharata. His craving to rule Hastinapura mirrors Caesar’s political hunger. He could not bear to see the Pandavas prosper. His refusal to grant even “five villages” led to the catastrophic Kurukshetra war. Like Caesar, Duryodhana believed power to be his birthright.

    Karna’s story offers a fine parallel to Caesar’s personal ambition. Born into secrecy and raised in obscurity, Karna’s entire life is driven by a longing for recognition and respect. His ambition is noble. He wishes to prove his worth against Arjuna and rise above the stigma of his birth. Similarly, Caesar’s early life is marked by political struggle and a fierce determination to climb the ranks of Roman power. Yet both men get entangled in loyalties that blur moral boundaries. Karna’s devotion to Duryodhana, like Caesar’s trust in Antony and others, leads him to defend causes that conflict with dharma. Ambition without a noble cause, Shakespeare and Vyasa both suggest, can make even noble men pawns in larger tragedies.

    Hiranyakashipu’s ambition to rule the three worlds and attain immortality resembles Caesar’s own belief that he was beyond human intervention, as he proudly declares himself “as constant as the Northern Star.” Caesar’s rise disrupts the harmony of the Roman Republic. Their arrogance invites downfall—one at the hands of Narasimha, the other at the daggers of Brutus & co.

    Similarly, Mahishasura, who sought supremacy over the gods, embodies unrestrained ambition that disturbs the cosmic balance. He, too, is destroyed by the divine feminine force, Goddess Durga. In every tale, ambition that crosses moral or spiritual boundaries brings destruction, not only to the ambitious themselves but to the world around them. Narasimha’s claws and the daggers of Brutus are but instruments of the same law: that unchecked ambition invites its own end.

    Mythology offers a counterpoint in the case of King Mahabali. Mahabali desired to rule heaven, earth, and the underworld. But when faced with Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar, he chose humility over defiance, surrendering his kingdom and ego. Unlike Ravana or Duryodhana, Mahabali’s humility redeemed him, earning divine grace and immortality in memory. Here lies a profound contrast with Caesar: where Mahabali bows, Caesar refuses to yield. Shakespeare’s Caesar, standing tall against the soothsayer’s warning, “Beware the Ides of March”, becomes the very image of a man too proud to listen, too ambitious to step back.

    Ambition, then, is the fire that can both create and consume. It is political when it seeks power, personal when it seeks recognition, and tragic when it forgets restraint. From Caesar to Ravana, from Duryodhana to Macbeth, the pattern endures; the greater the climb, the greater the fall. As Shakespeare and the epics remind us, ambition is not inherently evil. It becomes dangerous when it blinds the heart and mind. To be ambitious is human. To be over-ambitious is to challenge the divine. The lesson of Caesar and his mythological counterparts is eternal. Ambition must be guided by wisdom, or it becomes a double-edged sword. One that wins glory in one stroke and brings ruin in the next.

    From Caesar’s Rome to Ravana’s Lanka, from Duryodhana’s Hastinapura to Macbeth’s Scotland, the story remains unchanged. Ambition is both the sculptor and the destroyer of greatness.  Ambition is divine when guided by purpose, but deadly when driven by ego. It can build empires, yet when it loses sight of humility, it consumes all that it touches.

    So, is being ambitious a double-edged sword? Indeed, it is. One edge gleams with glory. The other drips with ruin, the cost of believing oneself to be larger than the truth. Caesar’s blood on the steps of the Senate, Ravana’s fall in battle, Duryodhana’s broken crown, and Karna’s dying smile, all remind us that the line between greatness and downfall is as thin as a sword’s edge.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are designed for our readers, including children and adults, and feature a diverse range of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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THE STORY OF BHISHMA PITAMAH

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        Long ago, the capital city of Hastinapur was ruled by the great King Shantanu. Once, while he was walking along the banks of the Ganges River, he met a beautiful maiden. Shantanu asked if she would like to marry him. She agreed, provided Shantanu was ready to fulfil certain conditions: ‘She desired that he should not interfere with what she does whether he likes it or not and he should address her respectfully. The moment these conditions are broken she would leave him forever.’ Shantanu agreed and married the maiden and started living with her happily.

    Each time a child was born, the maiden would go and throw the child into the river. This disturbed the king. But he didn’t dare to ask her why because he was bound by his promise and feared she would leave. But when their eighth child was born, King Shantanu couldn’t hold himself. He advised her to desist from the cruel act of throwing the infant into the Ganges.’ The maiden replied, ‘You have broken your promise.’

    She spared the child but revealed her identity, ‘I am Goddess Ganga and the children born to us are the eight ‘Vasus’ cursed to suffer human birth. Your reproachful words freed us from the curse. My time has come. I will leave now.’ And she disappeared with the child.

    Years passed … Once while chasing a deer on the banks of River Ganga, Shantanu noticed the river was abnormally shallow. He began to look for the cause. He saw a boy checking the river’s flow. He looked Godlike. The boy knew that the king was his father, but Shantanu failed to recognise him. The boy clouded the king’s mind with his mystic power and disappeared. Shantanu realised the boy was his son. He pleaded with Ganga, ‘Please be merciful and give me back my son so that my dynasty lives.’

    Ganga appeared with her son. She said, ‘He is Gangeya, our eighth child. He has mastered the Vedic Knowledge and knows the duties of a king. Hereafter, he will be known as Devavrata. Take care of him, for he will perform wonders.

    King Shantanu returned with Devavrata. Devavrata was declared the heir apparent to the royal throne. Once while riding along the banks of the River Yamuna, Shantanu saw a young woman. He enquired about her identity.

    ‘I’m Satyavati, the daughter of the chief fisherman.’ Enchanted by her beauty, the king desired to marry Satyavati. He approached her father for consent. The father said, ‘Maharaj! I can never find a more suitable husband than you for my daughter but the son born to her should only be the successor to the royal throne of Hastinapur.’

    The intense desire for Satyavati wanted King Shantanu to accept, the condition of the chief fisherman but his deep love for his son Devavrata stopped him from doing so. This depressed Shantanu very much. He returned to Hastinapur and started suffering in silence. Seeing his father in this condition, Devavrata enquired about the reason.

    The King replied, ‘Devavrata you’re my only son. But what if you’re slain in a war, the great Bharat Dynasty will come to an end’. Devavrata understood this wasn’t the real reason for his father’s sorrow. From the king’s charioteer, he came to know about the inner story and the king’s desire to marry Satyavati. Devavrata approached the chief fishermen and begged on behalf of King Shantanu. He even promised he would never accept the royal throne.

    ‘But what about your sons? They might claim the throne despite your refusal.’ Pointed the fisherman. Devavrata knew where this was heading, so he took another oath.

    ‘I vow to observe Brahmacharya (celibacy) all my life.’

    Happy, the demigods showered flowers on Devavrata and exclaimed, “Devavrata is worthy of the title ‘Bhishma’ (mighty) for taking such a vow for the sake of his father.”    Delighted, Satyavati’s father agreed to marry his daughter to Shantanu and Bhishma escorted her to Hastinapur.

    Pleased, King Shantanu granted Bhishma a vardan (blessing) of not dying against his own will. Shantanu married Satyavati and had two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Chitrangada died in a duel with the king of Gandharvas, leaving Vichitravirya as the successor to the throne.

    When the King of Kashi held a Svayamvara (self-choice marriage) for his three daughters- Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, intending to marry them to his step-brother Vichitravirya, Bhishma abducted them by force and challenged the other kings in combat. He defeated them all. After that, he set out for Hastinapur with all the three princesses in his chariot. On his way back, Salva the king of Saubala, who was in love with Amba, fought with Bhishma but he was defeated. At the request of the princesses, Bhishma spared his life.

    After reaching Hastinapur, Amba pleaded with Bhishma, not to force her to marry Vichitravirya, as she had chosen Salva as her husband. Bhishma pondered and then let her go.

    Vichitravirya was married to Ambika and Ambalika. Amba went to Salva and told him what had happened but Salva wasn’t happy. He decided not to accept Amba. Helpless she returned to Hastinapur and explained the situation to Bhishma.

    Bhishma tried to convince Vichitravirya to marry Amba but he declined. Nowhere to go, Amba asked Bhishma to marry her. But since the oath of Brahmacharya bound him, he refused Amba. Enraged, Amba approached sage Parashurama and implored him to slay Bhishma and avenge her. Parashurama directed Bhishma to marry Amba.

    Parashurama was Bhishma’s guru. But Bhishma desisted from heeding him because of the oath he had taken for his father’s sake. Parashurama challenged Bhishma. They fought for several days, but neither could defeat the other.

    Amba held Bhishma responsible for her misfortune. She undertook penance by jumping into a funeral pyre and was granted a boon by Lord Shiva—that in her next life, she would be born as Shikhandi, the eunuch child of King Drupada.

    Meanwhile, Dhritarashtra and Pandu were born to Ambika and Ambalika. Their sons were the hundred Kauravas and the five Pandavas respectively, whom Bhishma looked after as his own. From childhood only Kauravas and Pandavas were rivals. The enmity thus continued.

    Bhishma advised the cousins to distribute the kingdom amicably amongst themselves to avoid conflict but the Kauravas were not happy with the idea and the great war of Mahabharat broke out for eighteen days. Bhishma was constrained to fight from the Kauravas’ side.

    Though the two armies fought furiously the Pandavas were one up. They struck terror in the heart of Duryodhana. He spoke harshly to Bhishma that he was not fighting to his full potential and that he was letting the Pandavas win. The accusation pricked Bhishma’s heart like a dagger. Infuriated, he took a wow that he would kill Arjuna the next day. The third day of the battle between Arjuna and Bhishma was very fierce.

    Krishna observed how Bhishma was strategizing his moves on that day. Arjuna was unable to stop him. Just then Bhishma’s arrow hit Arjuna’s chariot and he fell. This angered Lord Krishna. Despite his vow not to wield a weapon in the war, he took out his divine disc to attack Bhishma. But before Krishna could make a move, Arjuna clasped Krishna’s legs and begged him not to do so. He vowed he would kill Bhishma very soon. As a result, Krishna retracted the disc.

    On the tenth day of the battle, Arjuna rained arrows on Bhishma, while taking cover behind Shikhandi. Bhishma realized Shikhandi was none other than Amba in her previous life. So he allowed himself to be attacked by them knowing fully well of the consequences. Soon he fell from his chariot. On seeing Bhishma the commander of the Kaurava army fall, both sides halted the war as a mark of respect and circled him.

    Bhishma, the descendant of King Bharat, lay on a bed of arrows, now preparing to leave his body. With tearful eyes, the family members gathered around Bhishma Pitamah. Bhishma was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. Thus Krishna bowed down before Bhishma and everyone followed.

    By the skill of his archery, Arjuna gave support to Bhishma’s head and also created a water fountain to quench his thirst. Bhishma had promised his father King Shantanu that he would live until Hastinapur was secure from all directions. To keep his promise Bhishma used the boon of Ichcha Mrityu (self-wished death) granted to him by his father. After the war ended, and when Hastinapur had become safe from all sides and after giving lessons on politics and occupational duties to Yudhishthir (eldest Pandav sibling), Bhishma died on the first day of Uttarayana. He was finally relieved of his oath of perpetually serving the Kuru King.

    Bhishma meditated and chanted the thousand names of the Lord Krishna, now known to us as Vishnu Sahasranama and stopped breathing.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety in content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause? The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Kamlesh Tripathi’s Publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 8 prestigious libraries of the US which include Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed at MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada; Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India; Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi; It is also available for reading in the Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity, which is the undying characteristic of Lucknow. The book was launched at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, USA; Black Gold Cooperative Library Administration, Arroyo Grande, California; Berkeley Library, University of California).

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2016).

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his way through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10th February 2018 at Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day-to-day life. A few poems from the book have been published in Shillong Times, Bandra Times and Bhavan’s Journal. The book is available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available on Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

AWADH ASSAM AND DALAI LAMA … The Kalachakra

(The story of the man who received His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his retinue in 1959 as a GOI representative when he fled Tibet in 1959. The book was launched on 21st November 2022 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama at Dharmshala. The title is archived in the library of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) Government of Tibet, Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) and the personal library of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The title is also archived in The Ohio Digital Library, USA. It was recently included in the digital library of the world-renowned company APPLE).

BHAVANS JOURNAL

Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3. Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20, 2020; 4. Indica, 15.8.20; 5. The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6. Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9. The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10. Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11. Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12. Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13. Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14. A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15. Are Animals Better Teachers? June 16, 2021; 16. Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17. Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18. Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19. Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20. Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25. Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26. The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22;27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29. Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good Name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34. Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35. When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23; 37. Theogony 15.2.23; 38. Poem: Mother 14.5.23; 39. THE NAG MANDIR 30.6.23; 40. The Story of Garuda 30.7.23; 41. Janmabhoomi vs Karmabhoomi 31.8.23; 42. The Ghost Town of Kuldhara 15.9.23; 43. The Tale of Genji 15.10.23; 44. The Soul Connection 1.12.23; 45.Book review: Jungle Nama … a story of the Sundarban 16.3.24; 46. Book review: A Forgotten Chapter 16.5.24;

THE SHILLONG TIMES

ARTICLES & POEMS: 1. POEM: HAPPY NEW YEAR 8.1.23; 2. POEM: SPRING 12.3.23; 3. POEM: RIGHT AND WRONG 20.3.23; 4. THE GUSH OF EMOTION—WRITING, 26.3.23; 5. THE NAG MANDIR, 7.5.23; 6. POEM: MOTHER 7.5.23; 7. POEM: RAIN RAIN 9.7.23; 8. POEM: YOU COME ALONE YOU GO ALONE 6.8.23; 9. RAIN RAIN (SECOND TIME) 10.8.23; 10. POEM: GURU TEACHER 10.8.23; 11. POEM: AUTUMN … THE INTERIM HEAVEN 15.10.23; 12. POEM: HAPPY DIWALI 12.11.23; 13. OVERCOMING BLINDNESS: LEARN IT THE JOHN MILTON WAY 10.12.23; 14. THE HAPPY PRINCE AND THE HAPPY MAN’S SHIRT 31.12.23; 15. ANNUS MIRABILIS 2024 7.1.24; 16. GANDHI TO MAHATMA GANDHI- Incidents that Shaped Gandhi in South Africa 28.1.24; 17. POEM: TOGETHER BUT NOT MADE FOR EACH OTHER, 11.2.24; 18. THE BIRDS BEES AND THE SPIDERS OF NICHOLAS GUILDFORD AND JONATHAN SWIFT 25.2.24; 19. THE OVERCOATS OF NIKOLAI GOGOL AND RUSKIN BOND 10.3.24; 20. THE ETHNIC COLOURS OF HOLI 24.3.24; 21. A LESSON FROM DALAI LAMA, 21.4.24; 22. POEM: MORNING WALK 28.4.24; 23. TRIP TO RHINE FALLS, SWITZERLAND, 19.5.24; 24. POEM: HURT 2.6.24;

THE ASSAM TRIBUNE

ARTICLE: 1. THE MAGIC OF READING 11.12.23; 2. GANDHI TO MAHATMA 29.1.24; 3. GEOGRAPHY OF SOLITUDE 8.4.24; 4. A LESSON FROM DALAI LAMA, 22.4.24; 5. A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION, 29.4.24; 6. THE FOUR-LEGGED LIBRARY, 12.5.24; 7. AGE AND ACHIEVEMENT, 10.6.24;

BANDRA TIMES, MUMBAI

ARTICLES & POEMS: 1. POEM: SPRING, 1.4.23; 2. POEM: MOTHER, 1.6.23; 3. POEM: RAIN RAIN, 1.8.23;

ARTICLES IN THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE ESAMSKRITI

29.12.2020: INDICA BY MEGASTHENES; 14.3.22: ABOUT THE DIMASA KINGDOM ASSAM; 10.12.22: GRAND TRUNK ROAD-UTTARAPATH; 5.10.23: THE GHOST TOWN OF KULDHARA NEAR JAISALMER;

(ALL THE ABOVE BOOK TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

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U.P. THE LAND OF SUPERNORMAL ROLE MODELS

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    In the complex understructure of India, UP sits like her invisible heart and spiritual voice. One can also address her as a headstrong folklore and tradition champion. Indeed the most populated state that celebrates its lineage in its diversity. It has an irrefutable matrix of society that hails, from two major communities, the Hindus and the Muslims—both passionate lovers of their native.

    Even though, the expanse of Hinduism resonates much beyond India and goes right up to the global frontiers. UP has always been its formidable pillar in the ever lengthening axis. Rather, it has been the primordial hub of religiosity since time immemorial. If we deconstruct her, she expands to a vast region much before it was converted into administrative hedges like states and districts. Which, Gods loved and nature adored. So, one can say she has been the showcase, the playground and even the reliable archives of Hinduism since grand old times.

    She doesn’t require administrate boundaries to conjoin. As, she, connects, consolidates and even identifies herself in many other ways. To begin with she is the mix of Pancha Bhoota—where the elements of Prithvi (Earth), Jal (Water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Akash (ether or the sky) combine for her cosmic creation.

    If we translate this into ground realities we find. Starting from the texture of the soil, to the pitch of the lingo it is one. It has no less than Gods and super humans, as its role models. To say, some of its role models are even better known than the land they belong to won’t be a misnomer. And they all performed their incredible leelas in this very soil. We will come to that a little later.

    UP has that enduring fix of festivals, along with bucolic handholding and even similarity in cereal crops to live and breathe in congruence. There is no life without water they say and water forms the lifeline of any society. To that effect there are vaguely a series of some six or seven imposing rivers, leaving aside many small ones that almost run parallel but certainly from the western side of the state to the eastern corner. And finally,   they all merge as tributaries with Ma Ganga. The main stem of Ganga, begins with the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers in the town of Devprayag in Uttara Khand. As per mythology she was brought to earth by king Bhagiratha, where, eventually she grew up to the status of Ma Janani in the vast expanse of the state. She is indeed the queen mother of all the water bodies as she carries along with her almost all the rivers. Therefore, for certain she can be called the icon of motherhood the provider—an unbeatable role model again. So blessed is the state that there is hardly a district or a town that is not within the easy catch of a river. Where, inhabitants even identify themselves with the rivers, such as ‘Sarjupari’—person living across river Sarju. There are many annual melas that connect the rural fraternity and its vendors across the sub-regions like Ballia and Nauchandi, to name a few.

    Hinduism has four ashrams when it comes to completing a lifetime—Brahamcharya, (Balkal … Birth to student like), Grihasta (householder), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (renunciation). The holy land of UP connects you to some quintessential examples of how some incarnations or avatars of Maha Vishnu have spent their time in these defined ashrams. Hinduism doesn’t come through, without UP. And all lessons of life are available here.

    It teaches us, nothing is easy and everything needs to be fought for, whether you’re an incarnation of God or just a human form. Even, when, Lord Krishna was the 8th incarnation of Maha Vishnu. Mathura was under turmoil at least the night little Krishna was born in Dwaparyuga (the 3rd Yuga). He demonstrated the victory of good over evil when he killed his maternal uncle Kans. And by lifting the Goverdhan Parvat he proclaimed nothing is impossible if you are hell bent upon doing it. On bhakti (devotion) no one can beat Radha as a role model and it all happened in the Braj Bhoomi that is now divided into many districts. But Krishna leela has no boundaries.

    In the same land Bhagwan Sri Ram was born in Ayodhya as the 7th incarnation of Maha Vishnu in Treta Yuga (2nd yuga). Although, he was born before Krishna I’m describing him after Krishna because he had a steady childhood, whereas, Krishna had a fighting one. But Sri Ram exemplified himself as Maryada Purshottam—the quintessential example of respecting contemporary times and fairness accentuating into super goodness. He had many mid life crises which he fought through valiantly all by himself and his devoted team. Prime was 14 years of Banvas (exile into forest) and the abduction of his wife by Ravana. Where, on the one hand he did show grief but on the other hand as a true karmyogi he found his bearings and organized himself to fight the great battle of Lanka to get his wife back. But while doing so he ensured he didn’t overstep the laid down tenets of science and its concomitants, even, when, he was an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Today, Sri Ram is a household name and a role model that is not confined to any district or a religion and where his queen Sita is an epitome of devotion. His entire leela happened along the plains of river Saryu and the famous kingdom of Ayodhya where he ruled. Important to say—role models can be followed by any person from any religion or sect.

    Further, the great war of Mahabharat too, had its roots in Hastinapur near Meerut, again in UP. A well known mythological story of intensely disagreeing, blood thirsty royal cousins, that eventually escalated into a holy war. It is said, what is not seen and read in Mahabharat doesn’t exist in the world. It has again given many role models to the world while it was fought in Dwaparyug. It had many stalwarts. Some important names that one can immediately reflect upon are Krishna, Yudhistir, Bhishma Pitamah, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Kunti, Karan, Yudhistir, Bhimsen, Arjun, Nakul, Sahdev, Draupadi, Veer Abhimanyu to name a few.

    Krishna derives his umbilical and founding legacy from Braj Bhoomi. From where he goes on to recite those ultimate verses of Gita, that is destined to happen, only once-in-a-planet-time, to a tranced Arjun, challenging him to pick up arms and fight for righteousness. The heft of Krishna thus becomes so very onerous for any one human form to carry as a role model. Resultantly, he spends his life in the little fragments of his teachings to promote his cause.

    Post the battles of Lanka and Mahabharat you had those iconic—blazing writers and poets like Valmiki, Tulsidas and Ved Vyas capturing the vivid description of the proceedings that led to the deadly wars. Together with awesome description of the scenes of war that remain unparalleled even today.

    And going forward when it comes to Vanaprastha and Sanyas we have Varanasi to teach us how to approach retirement and death as a role model. People come to Varanasi to see live Hinduism and even to die. The pyre is ever lit in Manikarnika Ghat and they say if a person is cremated there he or she goes to heaven directly.

    It is one of the oldest ghats of Varanasi. It is revered in Hindu mythology that when Mata Sati, Lord Shiva’s wife sacrificed her life and set her body ablaze after Raja Daksh Prajapati, her father and one of the sons of Lord Brahma tried to humiliate her husband Shiva in the Yagya. Lord Shiva took her burning body to Himalaya. On seeing the unending sorrow of Lord Shiva, Vishnu sent his divine Sudershan Chakra to cut the body into 51 parts which fell on earth. Lord Shiva established Shakti Peeth wherever Sati’s body had fallen. At Manikarnika ghat Mata Sati’s ornament had fallen. The lesson therefore is loaded with the despicable arrogance of king Daksh and the pristine relationship of Sati and Shiva—that can’t be emulated as a role model.

    In the treasured mythological scriptures such as Purans and Upanishads, battles between the Devatas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) have often been described in great detail and on many occasions. Asuras, have always troubled Devatas for some reason or the other. In fact, they were mostly stronger than the Devatas in strength, and therefore Devatas were always scared of them. Even Devraj Indra who was extremely powerful and laced with a lot of divine offence could not harm them in any manner.  Many such wars were even fought, in an around, the present day UP.   Samudra Mathan (Churning of ocean) resulting into Kumbh, has also seen the bitter war between the Devatas and the Asuras for Amrit (Divine Nectar). Where, Lord Vishnu had to intervene. Because, had Asuras drank Amrit they would have become immortal, and that would have meant destruction of the goodness in the world.

    There are innumerable stories and one can go on and on. But the moot point is, whether, the present day generation of the state is living up to the values created by these role models.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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                                                      https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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STORY: MAHABHARAT-DRONACHARYA AND EKLAVYA

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Copyright@shravancharitymission

 

 

     Once while Dronacharya was imparting astra-shastra (Astra– is a fierce form of mantra that comprises of destructive frequency. Shastra– is essentially a physical weapon) training to Kurukul children (Kauravas and Pandavas) in Hastinapur, a black and tough appearing Bheel (tribal) child came up to him. He first bowed and said ‘pranam!’ (greetings) and then said—‘Acharya! (teacher) my name is Eklavya. I have come with the hope that you will be kind enough to teach me astra management, as you are teaching these children.’

    Acharya, though, he appreciated the humbleness of the child. He couldn’t have given permission to a Bheel to stay with the Rajkumars (princes). He therefore said—‘Son! For mere knowledge of weapons to hunt animals you can ask your Guru to teach you. But as far as learning of astra is concerned it is not a must for you, as the same is required only when you have to rule a kingdom or fight a war.’

    Upon hearing this Eklavya was disheartened. But his enthusiasm did not die down. He was determined to learn astra-shiksha. So, somewhere there only. Not far from Dronacharya’s gurukul (residential school) he built a cottage. Along with that he also made a bust of Dronacharya and established it in front of his cottage. And thereafter with his bow and arrow he started vigorous practice.

    One day Dronacharya along with his shishyas was roaming around the jungles. When a dog of Pandavas by mistake dawdled away to where Eklavya was practicing his targets in full flow.     The dog at the frightful sight of a dark and tough Bheel with a bow and arrow started barking. That spoiled Eklavya’s concentration and to stop the dog from barking he filled it’s mouth with arrows but without piercing it.   This frightened the dog so much that he immediately retracted and ran towards Pandavas.

Upon seeing the dog both Pandavas and Kauravas laughed at its condition. But Arjun was immensely surprised. He realized someone had immaculately aimed the arrows in such a manner that none of the arrows had pierced his mouth. Even when, his mouth was completely packed with those arrows. And it was more than evident that the arrows were shot by some proficient archer. Acharya Dronacharya was also stunned and immediately decided to discover this ace archer.

    Meanwhile, when Eklavya saw Dronacharya, he rushed towards him to pay his respects. On seeing his bust in front of the cottage Dronacharya was stunned. But just then Arjun who was right behind him slowly whispered in his ears—‘Gurudev! You had given a word to me that among all your shishyas I will be the topmost archer. But in front of him I look petty. Now how will you protect your own word?’ Upon hearing Arjun’s comment Achraya tried to reassure him. He then decided to demanded guru-dakshina (tradition of repaying one’s teacher or guru after the period of study) from Eklavya. And when Eklavya asked—‘Acharya what can I do for you that will make me blessed?’ Acharya hesitatingly replied—‘You need to give me the thumb of your right hand as guru-dakshina.’

    Eklavya, who was otherwise matchless in strength and was a stalwart, suddenly turned patient. He heard his guru and then took out his sword and cut his right thumb and placed it near his feet. After losing his thumb he had ceased to be an ace archer. Because by performing the skill with his left hand he wouldn’t have been in the list of top archers of his times. But because of the sacrifice and unquestioned loyalty towards his guru Dronacharya. He became immortal in the annals of mythology.

    There is no mention about how Dronacharya must have felt receiving Eklavya’s thumb as guru-dakshina. And at that moment did he feel small? But yes, ultimately he did bless Eklavya to immortality.

    In life there are always gaps in what we plan to do and what actually happens. And at times even a small person can make a tall personality look small in front of his proficiency and attitude.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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