Normally whenever we start our journey we look for the path which will take us to destination. In life too in addition to the path, we also chose the people with whom we should like to travel or who can inspire us. I was also not an exception. I have chosen few people whom i would like to be associated notwithstanding the fact how they consider me.
From my younger days I used to read and listen to the epic stories of Ramayan and Mahabharat due to which I generated interest in each character in that epic stories. I also watched some of the best Tamil and Telugu movies which changed my thoughts on some of the aspects of my life. I also listened to great songs composed by famous music trinity and by other poets which refined some of my thoughts on life. I am also a great fan of Tamil poets Bharatiyar and Kanndasan. Truly some of their songs and lines made me to think or look at the life differently. I am great movie bluff till 1990 and great lover of Carnatic music and some old Telugu and Tamil songs.Certainly i cannnot forget two movies Sankarabharanam and Sagara Sangamam directed by K. Vishwanath in Telugu. I would have seen those movies at least 25 to 30 times. Certainly I was influenced by these movies on dedictation to profession, relation and above all commitment to relation. The influences of those charatcers though may be fictional characters must have contributed to my title"Emotional Fool".
Similarly on Strategy i am greatly inspired by Lord Krishna in Mahabharat and Mahatma Gandhi. Both had a strategy but both displayed in a different way to achieve their goals. An interesting similarity in those stratgies are: They followed simple thinking, They focussed on building relation.They focussed on their competencies and did not aspire for position.But their positions are most talked. They are king makers and more powerful than King. They followed human touch wherever they need to win over the people. They created leaders to achieve their purpose. Those leaders followed them to the core.
In my view as i understand though Gandhi read Ramayan more but in my analysis his strategy is largely influenced by Krishna's strategy.Lord Krishna's strategy in Mahabharat is more apt for us to follow to win over any difficult circumstance. In fact there are many interesting instances in Mahabharat as to how Lord Krishna thinks and how he wins over people. Even when he resuces he gives a message. Even when teaches a lesson to his favourable disciple or friend Arjun he does in his own style .
Protection to Draupadi: When the Kauravas tried to dishonor Draupadi through “Cheer Haran” (removing her sari) in a hall of people, she Prayed to Krishna continuously. The lord took care of her honor but when? Dushadhana on the instruction of Duryodhana started removing her sari and Draupadi starts chanting "Krishna, Krishna". But Krishna did not protect immediately. Till such time Draupadi keeps her hand on her chest and screams Krishna, the god does not come. But finally when she realises that Dushadhana is in last lap of removing her sari she realises she is helpless, she throws her hand and Krishna comes at that time. Krishna answers later that why he did not come immediately when Draupadi started screaming. He says that initially Draupadi was more believing her than Lord, as she kept her hands on her chest and was of the belief that by holding her chest she can prevent Dushadana. But when she finally throws her hand towards sky and towards Krishna she surrendered to Krishna completely. He says "I will come only when the person completely surrenders with me ". Though Krishna comitted to Draupdai that he will proect her, he came only when Draupadi could not protect her by herself. Had he desired he could have prevented Dushadhana act at the begining but he came at final stages only allowing Draupadi to go through the motions and finally he protected. The message is simple from Lord.
You need to fight your own battle and make your efforts to succeed. I will proect people at a time when they deserve and only after the subject go through the motions. "Finally if you need me, you need to surrender to me completely." This aspect of Krishna's teaching is prevailing in every place in Mahabharat.
In every aspect of Krishna's strategy his love towards the subjects was great and he displayed love even towards the people who considered Krishna as his enemy. He never considered anybody as his enemy but gave lot of time and opportunities for people to change and mend their ways toward him. This is the trait of a real leader. A real leader is one who never shows any hatred or ill will towards others despite they oppose him.
In real life too we come across various situations. Though we are not Lord but as a human being we will always be considerate with others and shower love and affection on others. Sometimes we get worried by what others think or sometimes we get carried away by a burden of expectations. But if we carry with our belief and focus on our actions with simple thinking and belief in god we will cross every hurdle which comes in our life with ease.
Have a great "Ugadhi." 23/3/2012
