When the Pandavas completed their 12 years of exile and one year of incognito they were discussing the future course of action .
The assembled members after deep deliberation decided to send a very qualified person in the assembly of the kurus on behalf of Pandavas, to get back their kingdom. Draupada maharaja found a person who could fit the qualification to deal with the Kurus in an effective manner. Mahabharata describes the person who is actually qualified to handle the challenging situations.
"Drupada said, 'Of all the beings those who are endowed with life are superior. Of all living beings those who are endowed with intelligence are superior. Of the intelligent creatures men are superior.
Of the men the twice-born( those who have duly imitated based on their qualification ) are superior.
Of the twice-born, students of the Veda(not simply bookish but over all knowledge of dharma ) are superior.
Of students of the Veda those of cultured understanding are superior.
Of cultured men practical persons are superior.
And finally, of practical men those knowing the Supreme Being are superior.
You, it seems to me, are at the very top of those that are of cultured understanding.
Of the men the twice-born( those who have duly imitated based on their qualification ) are superior.
Of the twice-born, students of the Veda(not simply bookish but over all knowledge of dharma ) are superior.
Of students of the Veda those of cultured understanding are superior.
Of cultured men practical persons are superior.
And finally, of practical men those knowing the Supreme Being are superior.
You, it seems to me, are at the very top of those that are of cultured understanding.
Qualification is not inherited automatically but one has to earn it by one's own endeavour and God's grace. Goodness is not a noun it is a verb. In Sanskrita it is called 'kriya pada.' It is action centric and not appointment centric. It's not a position it's a journey while fighting with one's limitations.
Draupada did not choose him primarily because he was recommended by some friendly relatives rather the Brahmana had proved his qualification by constantly upgrading his skills values and character.
Choosing is not appointing it is empowering the person to walk the journey in life of leadership.
Does it make sense?
Draupada did not choose him primarily because he was recommended by some friendly relatives rather the Brahmana had proved his qualification by constantly upgrading his skills values and character.
Choosing is not appointing it is empowering the person to walk the journey in life of leadership.
Does it make sense?
Well said.
ReplyDeleteHead with full of knowledge, but insensitivity with harsh dealings creates disasters in one’s relationships, leaving permanent scars behind. But still, people are just careless about it years after years. Majority of the problems of women folk - be it emotional, physical or social, can be completely eliminated, if the men folk around can learn the art of cultured understanding… Then, the problem of questioning the purity of women can never arise… As you very well said, a true leader not only needs knowledge, but cultured understanding too, in a practical way. There is a lack of such leaders in the community. Yet, the presence of rare but few such genuine leaders, through whom K’s loving compassion with cultured understanding is manifesting abundantly, gives one the ability, not only to tolerate the tough challenges, but also to win the war of Kurukshetra for a higher purpose.
YS
Harsha Lalitha devi dasi
Very true
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