Sometimes Say Nothing!!

There is a great burden that comes with knowledge and vision, and I’d like to illustrate this through a story from the Mahabharata, focusing on the character of Sahadeva.

We often hear about the three famous Pandavas—Arjuna, Yudhishthira, and Bhima, the sons of Kunti. Much less is said about Nakula and Sahadeva, the sons of Madri, with Sahadeva, the quietest of the brothers, being spoken of the least. But what exactly made Sahadeva so reserved? There is a fascinating story from the Telugu version of the Mahabharata that sheds light on this.

When Pandu went into exile after killing the sage Kindama, he lived as an ascetic with his two wives, Kunti and Madri. Saddened by the prospect of dying childless, Kunti used her divine boon to bear children, sharing it with Madri, who gave birth to Nakula and Sahadeva.

Pandu, a wise and learned man, taught his children about the world and how to be virtuous. Sahadeva, the most attentive of his sons, absorbed these lessons keenly. One day, Pandu told his youngest son, "You must consume my brain. Only then will you truly understand everything about this world." Sahadeva, with his innocent eyes, agreed.

When Pandu died and Madri chose to follow him into death, Sahadeva, witnessing his father’s body on the funeral pyre, remembered his promise. As Pandu’s head burst from the heat, Sahadeva, in the midst of chaos, took his father’s brain and ran into the forest. Krishna, aware of what was happening, disguised himself as a sage and chased after the boy to stop him. But it was too late—Sahadeva had already taken a bite of his father’s brain.

With that bite, Sahadeva gained the ability to see all that had happened in the past. With a second bite, he became aware of everything happening in the present. And with the third bite, he could see all that was yet to come. Sahadeva had become ‘trikala gyani’—one who knows the past, present, and future. He immediately recognized that the sage chasing him was Krishna Himself.

Krishna asked Sahadeva to keep his newfound knowledge a secret. Sahadeva agreed, but only after making Krishna promise to protect his brothers, the Pandavas, ensuring that none of them would fall in battle unless Krishna Himself perished.

Throughout his life, Sahadeva carried the weight of this knowledge. He knew of every scheme against the Pandavas—Duryodhana’s plot at Varnavat, the loaded dice in the gambling match, Draupadi’s humiliation, and the deaths that would follow in the great war. He even knew that his own son would be slain by Ashwatthama. Yet he could not reveal any of it—not to his brothers, not to his wife, Draupadi. Only Krishna shared this burden with him.

This constant awareness of tragedy and his vow of silence shaped Sahadeva into the most patient and self-controlled of the brothers. He endured the torment of foresight and remained quiet, knowing that some events had to unfold for the greater good, even if it meant witnessing terrible things without intervening. His patience and restraint are why Sahadeva is often remembered as the most enduring figure in the Mahabharata.

Sahadeva’s story teaches us that sometimes, despite our knowledge and foresight, it is wiser to remain silent. Speaking the truth, though powerful, can sometimes cause more harm than good. As the saying goes, “Once, a wise man... said nothing.”

In today's corporate world, we often find that the loudest voices dominate the room. Yet, it is not always the loudest who are the wisest. Often, those who know the most are the quietest, observing and thinking deeply while others make noise to hide their own ignorance. As the proverb says, “Empty vessels make the most noise.”

If you are a team manager or leader, make a point to listen to the quiet ones. Often, they possess the insights and knowledge that can be key to success. Silence is not a sign of weakness or ignorance—it is often a mark of wisdom. Encourage your organization’s “Sahadevas” to speak up. You may find that their input is invaluable.

A lines which make this piece of article alive!

When actions speak, their voice is strong, Louder than words that don't last long.But when they're paired with wisdom’s grace, and silence holds its quiet space, With knowledge deep, the truth will shine—A power far beyond the line.

Good luck!