7 lessons from the the epic Mahabharata

It was 1995. Every Sunday at 11am, we gathered about in front of the television to watch the Mahabharata. Even if we kids were out playing, we would all sharply disperse by that time or crowd into the nearest house, eager to not miss out on the story. My mother would finish her cooking by then or pause it until the episode finished airing.

All these memories recently came flooding back as I read the Mahabharata. Strangely, I remember nothing from the school textbooks but definitely have clear visual memories of the TV show as I was reading this great epic. Interesting, how our photographic memory works.

However, this time I read the Mahabharata with a different purpose. It was to gain deeper understanding of human behavior, situations and how strategies play out. While reading, I could easily draw parallels into the corporate or business world. Here are some of my insights.

1.      Might is right. But only in certain contexts.

It was known from the start that the Pandavas were born of the Gods. They possessed a might greater than anyone and were blessed to have conquered their senses. They were also virtuous and gifted. It already put them on an unfathomable pedestal in comparison to others.

Sometimes, knowing your greater competitors and acknowledging that you cannot defeat them at their own game is wise. Know your own strengths but know your competitors well.

2.     Develop and work on that second skill.

Yudhisthira loses in the game of dice and as a consequence, the Pandavas are sent into exile for 12 years. In the 13th year, the clause applicable was that they should not be discovered by the Kauravas otherwise they would face another 12 years in exile. To avoid being discovered in their true form, the Pandava brothers bring into play their second skill. Although Kshatriyas by birth and meant to be great warriors, all 5 of them pick up odd jobs in the kingdom of King Virata, where they hide in the 13th year of their exile.

Bhima – for example, becomes a cook for the King. Yudhisthira becomes a counselor for the king, learning how to become better at the game of dice. Arjuna – the greatest warrior among the 5, teaches singing and dancing to the King’s daughter. The twin brothers (Nakul and Sahadeva) adopt roles of horsemen (keeper of horses) and cowherd (cattle rearing) respectively.

This got me thinking that maybe along the journey of your linear career, developing or working on a second or third skill might be worthwhile for you never know, when it comes to use!

3.     Setbacks can be transformed into positive outcomes.

Arjuna goes into exile twice. The Pandava brothers had agreed upon a code that when any of the brothers was with Draupadi, no other brother could interrupt them.

Unfortunately, due to the call of duty to protecting some Brahmins, Arjuna had to enter the room to pick up the weapons that were kept in the room, while Yudhisthira was sitting with Draupadi. Although he took his brother’s permission before entering, since he felt he had broken the rule, Arjuna sought his brother’s permission to head to the forest for a year.

The second time, all the Pandava brothers along with Draupadi go into 12 year exile, as Yudhisthira loses the game of dice.

Both the times, Arjuna comes out stronger than before and so do the other family members. While in the forest, the Pandavas learn more about the Vedas from the Brahmins, learn to control their senses, strategize about getting their kingdom back and acquire skills and weapons training for the foreseeable war.

We are all running this invisible race and chasing something that we believe will complete us at some level. It has become the norm to grind and churn every second lest, social media makes you feel like a non-value add entity in this universe. Whether you are on a forced break or a voluntary break, it is a great time to take a few steps back, introspect and align with a focused approach towards whatever you aim to do next.

4.     Inequality exists

Markets aren’t perfect. Beauty is not same across the world. Financial dispositions aren’t the same for everyone. Yes, the world is not perfect or fair or equal or balanced. It’s the inequality that creates opportunities but also an emotional turbulence. Duryodhana was driven by malice towards the Pandavas. However, the malice leads to his own downfall and the wiping out of the entire Kuru race.

Acceptance that there will be bosses, team members and even juniors, better than one in some of the aspects, is a great start. Harboring unnecessary feelings of envy or insecurity, plotting or scheming at work to race past against some can only get you so far. Those meant for success, succeed irrespective and are never ones to indulge in these energy depleting activities.

5.      An aligned team is stronger than an unaligned enemy

The Kauravas had a bigger army than the Pandavas. However, within the Kauravas, there was discord. Sometimes Duryodhana garnered no support from the wise and knowledgeable due to his arrogance and poor judgments. Even in the battlefield, he had to personally assuage the hurt he had caused to some of the members of his side to get them to perform their duty. On the other end of the spectrum, the Pandavas were united and kept in check by the eldest brother Yudhisthira, who constantly reminded them to focus on the goal.

A small but aligned, trusting team can achieve much more than a mightier but disjointed team.

6.     In times of need, step down from your designation and accept a role.

When the time comes for Karna to face Arjuna in the battle, he needs a skilled charioteer who is an equal match to Krishna. Karna goes to Duryodhana to ask him to convince Salya, who was a King, to become his charioteer. As per the scriptures, Karna, who was a Sudra, was supposed to serve Kshatriyas (Salya in this case) and not vice versa. However, Duryodhana manages to convince Salya and he agrees to become a charioteer for Karna.

While designations determine your identities at work, when it comes to taking up a responsibility higher or lower than your designation, it can be an opportunity to showcase your skills.

  7.     The multigenerational workspace is real

Bhishma was appointed general commander of war for the Kauravas. Although old, Duryodhana got impatient many times with Bhishma, doubting Bhishma’s skills and wondering whether he took the right decision of appointing Bhishma the commander of his forces. In reality, Bhishma could alone slay the Pandavas and his prowess was unrivalled on the battlefield. In fact, there comes a time during the war, when the Pandavas themselves go and ask Bhishma in earnest on how to slay him, as he was invincible.

Many of us still work in a multi generation workspace. If you are Generation Z or a Millennial and working with Gen Xers or Baby Boomers in your team, be patient and learn from their experience. While you may be bubbling with ideas, some of your team members or colleagues may have already tried them or even possess better skills & insight.

 All opinions expressed in the article are purely mine and not influenced by any external source.

There might be some different variations of the stories that you may have read or heard as it’s a 5000 year old epic and retellings are common. I have read the version written by Krishna Dharma.

References : Krishna Dharma’s Mahabharata

                     Remix – by Lindsay Pollack