MONDAY MUSINGS – EPISODE 178 - Vyadha Gita
MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 – EPISODE 178
10th October 2022
We covered a motivational story quoted by Zig Zigler to emphasize ‘#WorkIsWorship’. There is an even more interesting story in Mahabharatha (Vana Parva Adhyāya 210) on the same concept. This is known as ‘vyadha gita’, yes lessons taught by a butcher (vyadha in Sanskrit roughly means butcher).
The story of vyadha gita has already been covered in an earlier Monday Musings episode and ?in my book ‘GRANDMA IN THE BOARDROOM’ as well. Hence, I am not going to narrate the story yet again.?Those who are interested can read the invigorating story of the ‘righteous butcher’ and the relevance of his teachings to the corporate world from my book #GrandmaInTheBoardRoom (available for purchase from www.authorjaganathan.com).
Dharmavyadha, a butcher in the story will end up teaching ?leadership lessons for a learned rishi Kaushika, because Dharmavyadha attained that eminent status from the sincerity shown in his work.
What can current corporate leaders learn from a butcher? Is it possible? I shall include here some key learnings from #VyadhaGita to prove that it is very much possible. Learnings does not know any limit.
1.???Leave the people to decide their career, you may like it or not
Current generations are very clear about their career choice, and they take every possible effort towards the job they would eventually love. That is a positive change. Give your children enough exposure so that they can decide of a career which they would love. Unknowingly, many of us may fall prey to stereotyping and force our choices on our children. Don’t underestimate any job. It is possible to be the ‘best butcher’ in the world and rise to the level of teaching dharma to a sanyasin. Don’t fall prey to ‘stereotyping’.
Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he / she was born in another time -?Rabindranath Tagore,
Kaushika felt bad for dharmavyadha and discouraged him to be in the cruel profession (as per his thoughts) only to realize later that dharmavyadha is indeed doing the right thing. He learnt the secrets of success in his life from the same butcher.
brāhma?a uvāca karmaitadvai na sad??a? bhavata? pratibhāti me |?anutapye bh??a? tāta tava ghore?a karma?ā || Vyadha Gita 15 ||?
The Brahmin said:– "I really don't think that this profession is suitable for you. O butcher! I deeply regret that you should follow such a cruel trade."
2.???Love your job, whichever job you may land up in
One need to be very focused and work towards landing up in a job which they would love. No second opinion on this. But, many a times, we may end up in roles, positions that is not of our liking. Unavoidable. There is no point in crying foul over destiny, politics, parity or fairness. Accept the destiny and start loving your job.
Dharmavyadha proved in ‘Vyadha Gita’ that one can love any job and can attain perfection in any job if done with sincerity and seriousness.
Dharmavyadha took up the job of a butcher as a family tradition and he never felt ashamed of being a butcher. He was able to deliver his responsibilities to the society and towards his family. He never shied away from his responsibilities destined to him. That gave him the power to learn and practice higher things in life.
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3.???How well you perform your job matters than what you do
satya? vade nābhyasūye yathā?akti dadāmi ca |?devatātithi bh?tyānām ava?i??ena vartaye || Vyadha Gita 18 ||?
O best of Brahmins! I always speak the truth, and never envy others; and I give charity to the best of my ability. I live upon what remains after serving the gods, strangers and the employees that depend on me.
na kutsayāmyaha? ki?cin na garhe balavattaram |?k?tam anveti kartāra? purā karma dvijottama || Vyadha Gita 19 ||?
and the I never speak ill of anything, small or great. O Brahmin, the actions (karma) of a former life always follow the doer.
Dharmavyadha continued to do his family tradition but performed the job still following complete dharmic principles. Your qualities matter and the qualities can be practised in all the jobs.
4.???Be the Best in all you do but don’t lose sight of the Best you can be
Dharmavyadha performed his job with sincerity and mastered the art. However, he never stopped developing the spiritual knowledge and did not let go of the opportunity to teach the young sannyasin.
Likewise, we need to be the Best in what we do to succeed now. Living in Present is important. However, it should not preclude us from the emerging opportunities. Focusing on learning, developing competencies, pursuing your passion and seizing the opportunities is also equally important.
Learnings from ‘butcher’s gita’ will continue in the next episode of MONDAY MUSINGS. Very interesting learnings, is it not?
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Compiled and posted as a weekly newsletter MONDAY MUSINGS by Jaganathan T (www.authorjaganathan.com). Subscribe to MONDAY MUSINGS in LinkedIn to read positive messages every Monday.
GOOD NEWS SECTION
Surprising revolution in a state known for 'gender bias', possible because of strong will of one good samaritan.
Piplantri is a village located in Rajsamand district in Rajasthan State, India. The villagers of Piplantri plant 111 trees every time a girl child is born and the community ensures these trees survive, attaining fruition as the girls grow up. To ensure financial security, after the birth of a girl child, the villagers contribute Rs 21,000 collectively and take Rs 10,000 from the parents and puts it in a fixed deposit, which can be broken when she turns 20. To make sure that girl child receives proper education, the villagers make the parents sign an affidavit which also restricts them from marrying her off, before she attains the legal age for marriage. Sh Shyam Sundar Paliwal, the former sarpanch (village head) started this initiative in the memory of his daughter Kiran, who died a few years ago.?
In a country that still favours the birth of a son, Piplantri village in Rajasthan not only embraces daughters but has created a tradition that benefits both the local people and the planet. This endearing village makes a conscious effort to save girl children and the green cover at the same time, by planting 111 trees every time a girl is born. A brilliant exercise in eco-feminism, this should inspire India and the rest of the world.?
2. My new book COVID2121 shall get published soon. You can read preview, one chapter every week from www.authorjaganathan.com and share your feedback.