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2 of my fav lessons from the Mahabharata

Among the hundreds of stories passed down in Indian culture, the Mahabharata stands out as one of the greatest epics ever told. The name itself comes from "Maha," meaning great, and "Bharat," the ancient name for India.


It’s a vast tale of kings, warriors, teachers, and families, all intertwined in a complex web of duty, morality, and human emotion. At its heart, the Mahabharata is about the struggles of the Pandava brothers and their journey to uphold righteousness—or dharma—against overwhelming odds.


As a child, like many Indian kids, I was captivated by the stories from the Mahabharata, not just for their adventure, but for the deeper lessons they offer.


Two stories from this epic have always stayed with me—one about the power of focus and the other about the virtue of loyalty. These stories remind us that whether in life or in yoga, it's not just our physical abilities that define us, but where our mind and heart are focused.


The Lesson of Focus: Arjuna and the Bird’s Eye


Arjuna, one of the five Pandava brothers, was known as the greatest archer of his time. His skill with a bow was unmatched, but what truly set him apart was his focus—his ability to block out everything else and concentrate entirely on his target.


One day, during their training, Arjuna and his fellow students were tested by their teacher, the wise Dronacharya. The task was simple: a wooden bird was placed high in a tree, and the students were asked to aim their arrows at the bird's eye.


One by one, the students approached the challenge. Each drew their bow, prepared to shoot. But before they could release their arrows, Dronacharya asked them, “What do you see?”


One student replied, “I see the tree, the bird, and the leaves around it.” Dronacharya shook his head. “Step aside.”


Another said, “I see the bird and the branches around it.” Again, Dronacharya was not satisfied. He asked the student to step back.


Finally, it was Arjuna’s turn. With his bow drawn, eyes fixed on the target, Dronacharya asked him, “What do you see, Arjuna?”

Arjuna, with unwavering focus, replied, “I see the eye of the bird.”


Dronacharya, curious, pressed further. “You don’t see the tree? The leaves? The cage that surrounds the bird?”


Without breaking his concentration, Arjuna answered, “No, I see only the eye of the bird.”


Dronacharya smiled, for this was the answer he was looking for. He instructed Arjuna to release the arrow, and true to form, it flew through the air and struck the bird’s eye perfectly.


Arjuna’s focus wasn’t just on hitting the target; it was on seeing nothing else. This is what made him the greatest archer, not just his skill but his ability to concentrate fully on one thing.


In yoga, we often talk about the importance of focus, both on and off the mat.


Standing Bow Pulling Pose, for example, is a physical manifestation of this lesson. It’s not just about balance or strength—it’s about keeping your mind focused. Just as Arjuna saw only the eye of the bird, in Standing Bow Pulling Pose, we must fix our gaze and our mind on one single point. When the mind is focused, the body follows.


The Virtue of Loyalty: Yudhishthira and the Dog


To  their final journey to heaven. It’s a story that beautifully illustrates loyalty—something so important in life, and also why dogs are often called "man’s best friend."


The five Pandava brothers—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—each of whom had their own unique qualities and skills.


Bhima was known for his unmatched strength, Arjuna for his incredible archery skills, and Sahadeva and Nakula for their beauty and knowledge. But Yudhishthira, the eldest, was always considered the most virtuous of the five because he stood for dharma—righteousness.


After the great Kurukshetra war, once their duties on Earth were fulfilled, the Pandavas decided to renounce the world and head towards heaven. Yudhishthira, the eldest and the most virtuous of the five, led his brothers on this pilgrimage to the Himalayas, where Mount Meru—the gateway to heaven—stood. As they made their way through the Himalayas, they were joined by a humble dog who followed them closely.


One by one, each of Yudhishthira’s brothers fell, unable to continue due to the weight of their past attachments. Bhima’s strength wasn’t enough to carry him through, Arjuna’s pride held him back, and the other brothers also succumbed to their own flaws.




In the end, only Yudhishthira and the dog remained.


When they reached the gates of heaven, the god Indra appeared, inviting Yudhishthira to enter. But there was a condition: the dog could not accompany him.


Yudhishthira, unwavering in his loyalty, refused to enter without the dog. “I cannot abandon one who has been loyal to me,” he said. “That would go against everything I believe in.”


Indra tried to persuade him, explaining that the dog was of no significance. But Yudhishthira stood firm, saying that loyalty and righteousness were greater virtues than even entering heaven. It was then that the dog revealed itself to be the god Dharma—Yudhishthira’s own father, testing his son’s commitment to his principles. Yudhishthira had passed the final test, proving that loyalty, compassion, and righteousness were the highest virtues.


This story holds a special place in my heart, as it reminds us of the importance of loyalty—not just in grand gestures, but in everyday life. It’s no wonder that to this day, we call dogs "man’s best friend." They are a living embodiment of loyalty, just as Yudhishthira showed in this story


Sumit

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