#Mythology: When Draupadi Calls Krishna as Saviour

In the infamous episode from the Mahabharata, where Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas is in trouble as she is lost and owned by Duryodhana during game of dice, as people recall, she first tried to call upon all elders present in the court and asked them to help her. When no one saved her, in the end she prayed to Krishn, her friend and brother, and he, using his divine power saves her by giving her the ability to keep extending Saree into an endless thing.

There is an interesting aspect about this incident.

We can note that she first called out all elders in the court for protection. During the time she would not have remembered Krishn because she was a 'logical mind' and hence she was arguing with her husbands and all other elders. Because of her arguments she is considered a feminist symbol today. But when nothing else helped, in the end, she gave up i.e. shut down her logical mind and turned ‘inwards’ spiritually. After she did that, she got God's help and was protected.  

Thing to note here is that she was helped by God when she accepted that she was 'helpless' and weak and needed protection. (Something which modern feminists may not like to acknowledge because for them religion is one more constraint.) Until she had her strong ‘ego’, she did not recall Krishn and hence remained vulnerable. Message is that if we have to choose spiritual protection, ego is our biggest enemy.  

This can also be extended in the matters of all relationships – ego is an enemy.  

- Rahul Tiwary

Management mythos by Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik

I am a big fan of Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik and I wait for his column “Management Mythos” in the Economic Times every Friday. Dr. Pattanaik, a medical doctor by education (MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai) turned to become a renowned mythologist. He works as a leadership consultant and holds the innovative position of Chief Belief Officer at the Future Group. You can check his website at: http://devdutt.com/

I am reproducing his today’s article from ET:

Management mythos: Read situations in all the perspectives

30 Sep, 2011, 05.49AM IST, ET Bureau

The sage Narada wanted to marry a young princess. But she said she wanted to marry only Hari. Hari is the name of Vishnu , who is God and the guardian of earth. Narada went to Vishnu and began singing his praises. So Vishnu offered him a boon.

"Give me the face of Hari," said Narada. Vishnu granted that wish. Narada went to the princess but instead of garlanding him, she turned around in disgust. There behind her stood Vishnu. The overjoyed princess garlanded Vishnu. Narada wondered what was wrong. Then he saw his face reflected on a mirror.

It was that of a monkey! He accused Vishnu of cheating him. Vishnu smiled and replied, "I gave you the face of Hari, which literally means monkey, though it happens to be my name."

Narad can be read the situation in two ways: a strategic narrative or a sincere narrative. In a strategic narrative, Narad can see Vishnu behaving like a lawyer, playing with words to make him feel like a fool. In a sincere narrative, Narada can see Vishnu behave like God, using a play of words to enlighten him not to trick a young girl simply because he can.

In a strategic narrative, Vishnu is the wily trickster who wants the princess for himself. In a sincere narrative, Vishnu stops Narada from being a trickster and grants the princess her wish. In a strategic narrative, Narada feels like a fool. In a sincere narrative, Narada is enlightened.

Every situation can be read strategically or sincerely. When we read a situation strategically, we feel manipulated; we feel we have been reduced to a performing monkey. When we read a situation sincerely , we learn from it; we feel someone cares for us enough to demonstrate to us our shortcomings rather than simply pointing it out.

After completing his course in Australia, Jason returned to India with plans to start a fast food joint. His father, Paul, was a renowned restaurateur, with many small boutique hotels in East and South India , saw the business plan and knew that it would not work. But he gave his son the seeding capital he needed.

The hotel started with much fanfare but was in the red in less than six months. That is why Paul sent his team to help out the son. They made two key changes, in the menu and in the advertising. The same place, which was empty for six months, was now full of customers.

Now Jason has two options, just like Narada. Read his father's actions strategically or sincerely. He can see Paul as a manipulator, a dominant father, who wanted to put him in his place. Or he can see Paul as a teacher, a caring father, who wanted to show him what actually works in the restaurant business. Jason can feel like Hari, the monkey, or thank Hari, the teacher. The choice is very much his.

The author is the Chief Belief Officer of the Future Group. He can be reached at devdutt@devdutt .com

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/corporate-dossier/management-mythos-read-situations-in-all-the-perspectives/articleshow/10178045.cms

Book Review: Shiva An Introduction by Devdutt Pattanaik

‘Shiva An Introduction’

By Devdutt Pattanaik

Vakis, Feffer and Simons Pvt. Ltd

ISBN 978-81-8462-013-9

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. My curiosity to know more about Hinduism and to get real meaning of our mythology or the inherent symbolism found a savior in him. His pen is so powerful, knowledge so deep and expression so simple that I think he is changing the way we look at Hinduism and Hindus, and revitalizing the world’s interest in Hinduism and India.

Shiva, the destroyer among the Hindu Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh, is an enigma in himself; a figure who attracts men and women, grownups and children, kings and fakirs alike. Here is a book which presents a very rational and comprehensive picture of the same. The book covers all aspects of Shiva, like his life story, his marriage, family, his different forms and roles, festivals, worship methods, temples and history… The language is uncomplicated and written in such a wonderful encouraging tone that the reader won’t be able to remain without loving the experience of reading this book…

I would also call it a book of revelations. I was able to know about many rather unknown facts from this book that I consider myself lucky to have read it.

The book is full of illustrations and images both colored and B&W. The collection of portraits of ancient temples and images make it such a rare collection to reserve. The book is also printed on very good quality smooth paper and is of a much bigger size. These features make it a book worth collecting and preserving for life…

In my opinion this book is a must read book for all Hindus or anyone interested in understanding Hinduism in general and Shiva in particular.

- Rahul

Book Review: Cradle Takes of Hinduism by Sister Nivedita

‘Cradle Takes of Hinduism’; By: Sister Nivedita (Margaret E. Noble); Advaita Ashrama; ISBN: 978-81-85301-93-8

The land of India/Bharat and its innate religion Hinduism have attracted many souls from all across the world. Sister Nivedita, born Margaret Elizabeth Noble, a Scots-Irish social-worker and disciple of Ramkrishna-Vivekananda is one such, and she is an icon in herself. Recently I have had the opportunity to read some of her writings and I consider myself lucky in this regard.

‘Cradle Tales of Hinduism’, as the title suggests is a compilation of Hindu mythological stories. Most of these stories are already told to us by our mothers, grandparents or elders, and lessons from these stories shape our characters, thinking process, and culture. This is a wonderful book where the stories are told in English in a very touching manner. The writing style of these texts is simple but very charming. While reading the story of Sati, tears came to my eyes many times where she had to sacrifice herself and when Shiva learnt about her loss and felt a pain in heart (which the great God had never experienced before). Or the heart wrenching love story of Nala and Damayanti – though it ended in a happy note. The story of Prahalada and Dhruva – the great devotees is also so touching. And a cute lovely part is the one of Gopala who gets Krishna as his friend and companion because of his mother’s pure devotion. The story of Bhishma, Yudhisthara, Bharata, Vikramaditya’s throne, and even Prithviraj Chauhan are so heart touching that yhis book indeed teaches the readers about the virtues which our religion wants us to practice.

A highly recommended book for one and all.

- Rahul

Book Review: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades by Devdutt Pattanaik

‘Fun in Devlok: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades’

By: Devdutt Pattanaik

Puffin Books

ISBN 978-0-143-33169-8

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. I am a big fan of his writings and I picked up this book looking at its curious title. In his “Fun in Devlok” series of books which he has written for the children, Dr. Pattanaik tells simple and very interesting mythological stories explaining concepts in the easiest ways for children to grasp.

“Shiva Plays Dumb Charades” is set into a home where a group of children are playing the game of dumb charades. Suddenly, Lord Shiva, the ultimate and Supreme God, appears in front of them and becomes a participant. Next, as they all play Dumb Charades, the children get to know the real meanings of the symbols, gestures and portraits of Lord Shiva as seen in the Nataraj form. I found myself unable in explaining many of those concepts and this book was an enlightening read for me too.

The book is full of sketches friendly to children and font sizes are big. I found the back cover mentioning that the book is for children above 6 years age. Since I am also above 6 years of age, so I hope no one gives me a curious look if I collect all the books in this series for myself!

It’s a wonderful gift to children and an enlightening read for all. I highly recommend it to everyone.

- Rahul