Lessons To Learn From Hindu Mythology

India is blessed with a vast culture and heritage, and legends have it that our ancient manuscripts, such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, teach us a lot about the right way of living life. Mahabharata, which is the longest written story in the world, recounts the horrific war fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas at Kurukshetra, and what could avoid it. Understanding these minute morals can result in a blissful and peaceful life. In ancient times, teaching these morals was a customary way of instilling values and sanskaar in children. Many filmmakers and producers have successfully produced TV series and movies based on the mythological stories that are appreciated not only in India, but worldwide. Our Vedas and cultures teach us about many ways through which, one can attain success and happiness together. Did you know the problems and the challenges that persist in today’s era already have a mention in our ancient purans?

Many transcribers believe that the cycle of life at earth is at its last phase, known as Kalyug. Pt Pawan Kaushik adds that ‘We humans have turned so materialistic and greedy, that it is almost impossible to find peace and happiness in such a phase. Although, if one truly seek satisfaction, one must learn these lessons from Hindu Mythology, and incorporate them as a part of their approach towards life.

Read about these 11 lessons one ought to learn from Mahabharata:

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF:

As seen in Mahabharata, Pandu, the father of Pandavas, accidentally killed a sage impersonated in the form of deer. After realizing the truth, Pandu left his throne due to guilt. Although inefficient, Dhrithrastra, his brother, became the king of Hastinapur in his absence. If Pandu had believed in himself and taken a strong decision, his kingdom would not have suffered.

ACCEPT ALL CHALLENGES:

As seen in Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent 13 years of their lives in the forest before the war. While their stay in the forest, they met many intellectual sages and learnt to be gentle, compassionate, courageous and intellectual that prepared them to face any challenges that came their way. These experiences helped them defeat the Kauravas.

Moral: One should learn from various experiences of life and should fight hard to overcome their weaknesses.

FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS, NOT TROUBLES:

One of the biggest lessons of Mahabharata was when Krishna went to Kauravas to convince them to end the disputes and have a peaceful agreement, but the rigid Kauravas refused. They instead fired up the argument and invited Pandavas to fight with 100 Kauravas at the battleground. Their overconfidence got them nothing, while the wisdom of Pandavas got them victory.

Moral: One should not worry about problems. Instead, one should stay calm and try to find a solution. If Kauravas would have done the same, the battle could have been avoided.

FORGIVE OTHERS:

In Mahabharata, the war could be avoided if the Kauravas and Pandavas would have forgiven each other. If Karan could forgive Draupadi for embarrassing him, and his mother Kunti for deserting him, this war could be prevented. If Draupadi could forgive Kauravas for disrespecting and disrobing her, the war could be prevented. Everybody suffered only because they couldn’t forgive each other.

Moral: One should learn to forgive to avoid disturbances in life. Forgiving does not mean you are weak; rather it symbolizes your strength to understand that any human can make mistakes.

BE POLITE:

‘Anger can make your mouth work faster than your mind!’ This famous phrase has a perfect example in the Mahabharata, when Draupadi rejected Karan in her swayamvar since he belonged to a lower caste. Her choice of words were so spiteful that it provoked the embarrassed Karan to take revenge. At the time when the Kauravas won the gambling, Duryodhana asked Draupadi to sit on his thigh. This initiated an argument in the court, where the vengeful Karan supported this act and disgraced Draupadi by calling her a whore.

Moral: One should be very mindful of the words they speak. Revenge is not the solution to every problem, but forgiveness is! A right choice of words can help express your thought clearly, without offending people.

WATCH OUT FOR YOUR COMPANY:

Shakuni, Kauravas’ uncle, was the main reason of the war in Mahabharata. At every given opportunity, he kept implanting negative thoughts in Kauravas’ minds and provoked them to initiate a war against Pandavas. His negative influence led to the complete knock down of Kauravas.

Moral: One should be wise enough to choose a right company. This decision can either make you or wreck you. One should choose their surroundings wisely.

BELIEVE AND SUPPORT YOUR NEAR ONES:

Even though Pandavas were not hundred in numbers like Kauravas, they won the battle. This victory was possible only due to never-ending unity and immense support of all the Pandavas for each other. Besides this, if they would not have a loyal friend like Lord Krishna, who showed them the rightful path, it would have been almost impractical to defeat the Kauravas!

Moral: Faith motivates your loved ones to fight harder and stay strong. One must learn to value, believe and support their near ones.

LEARN TO LIVE LIFE IN EVERY DIFFICULT SITUATION:

As seen in Mahabharata, Pandavas spent 13 years of their lives in the forest, without any luxuries and comfort. They learnt to carry out activities as basic as everyday errands and learnt to stay organized. They maintained their calm and adjusted in the life, as it came.

Moral:One must learn to enjoy every phase of life, instead of cribbing for lack of something. One must free himself from any materialistic desires and accept what comes their way, whole-heartedly.

STAND FOR YOURSELF:

The Pandavas never felt discouraged for being just five in number. They were well aware of what they desired and had the courage to fight for it. They worked hard to achieve success in life and were brave enough to take a stand for what they believed was right.

Moral: One must not bear injustice. You ought to take a stand for what you believe in and should fight as hard as you can.

PLAN YOUR LIFE FOR A BETTER FUTURE:

In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna guided Pandavas that winning against Kauravas is not possible without a strategy. Lord Krishna are well verse with the tactics of the Kauravas andb earing this in mind, Pandavas tactfully defeated the Kauravas.

Moral: We should be planned and systematic in our lives. As it is well said, ‘For every well-spent minute, an hour is earned’.

LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS:

Abhimanyu was well aware of the way one can enter the chakravyuh and therefore, he entered the same. However, due to lack of any knowledge about the way to exit, he could not walk out from the chakravyuh, which later led to his death.

Moral: One ought to have adequate knowledge about a situation, before entering the same. One should not take any decisions unless he is completely aware of the scenario.