THE HIDDEN TEMPLE SERIES 1: TANJORE BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE, TANJORE, TAMIL NADU

The temple is also known as Thanjavur Periya Kovil   is located at Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is one of the largest temples in India..

The temple was constructed during the reign of Emperor Arulmozhi Varman, (who was also popularly known as Rajaraja Chola I) and was completed in 1010 CE.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple was built to grace the throne of the Chola empire. The scale and grandeur is in the Chola tradition. An axial and symmetrical geometry rules the temple layout. Temples from this period and the following two centuries are an expression of the Tamils (Chola) wealth, power and artistic expertise. The emergence of multifaceted columns with projecting square capitals depicts a more contemporary Chola architecture.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple was built to be the royal temple to display the emperor's vision of his power and his relationship to the universal order.

The architect and engineer of the temple was Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as stated in inscriptions found at the temple. The temple was built as per ancient building and architecture texts called Vaastu Shastras and  the Agamas. The temple was built using a measure of 1 3/8-inch called an angula (24 units equalling 33 inches called a hasta, muzam, or kishku).

This temple is the first building fully built by granite and finished within 5yrs (1004AD – 1009AD). The solid base of the temple raises about 5 metres (16 feet), above which stone deities and representatives of Shiva dance. The huge “Kalasam” or “Vimanam” (top portion of the shrine) is believed to weigh 81.28 tonnes of single stone block and was raised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of 6.44 km. The big Nandi (bull), weighing about 20 tonnes is made of a single stone and is about 2 meters in height, 6 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width. The presiding deity of lingam is 3.7meters tall. The “Prakaram” (outer precincts of the temple) measures 240meters by 125meters. The outer wall of the upper storey is carved with 81 dance “Karanas” – postures of Bharathanatyam (South Indian classical dance).

An interesting characteristic of this temple is that the shadow of the “Gopuram” (pyramidal tower) never falls on the ground. The temple is said to be made up of about 130,000 tons of granite. The Kumbam itself, a 60 ton granite stone carved in one piece, on top of the main gopuram is believed to have been taken to the top by creating an inclined slope to the height of 66 meters to the top of the “Gopuram”.

The shrine of Goddess was added by Pandyas (the presiding rulers after the decline of Chola Kingdom) during the 13th century.  Subramanya  Shrine was later consecrated by the Vijayanagara rulers  (14^th Century) and followed by the Vinayaka shrine renovated by Maratha rulers later part of 17^th century.

Today this temple is designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO as the “Great Living Chola Temples.”  In the year 2010 the temple celebrated its 1000^th year anniversary.

Next time in South India (Tamil Nadu) don’t forget to visit this temple if not for its spiritual significance, definitely for its architectural marvel.

AUDACITY OF HYPOCRISY

I was watching a HBO Sports report on Camel Racing in UAE, and how children as young as 2 years old are trained to become camel jockeys. Most of these  children owing from Bangladesh and Pakistan, owing to poverty are sold  by parents. Owners of these jockey stables come from the ruling class of the oil rich kingdom, and are also the regarded as the moral guardians of the country.

New research on behavioural psychology states that transgression instituted by one is deemed more ‘fair’ than when others commit the same. Interestingly such transgression seems to be volitional rather than circumstantial.

From the same perspective one such big hypocrisy is the concept of ‘democracy’ itself. The philosophy of government by the people for the people has totally lost its meaning. How many countries in the world can truly attest to such governance?. But in the name of democracy much atrocity has been committed from Iraq to Sudan to Vietnam by the very proponents of democracy.

Abraham Lincoln, much touted as the president who emancipated slaves in the US, himself had a narrowed perspective on the concept. Lincoln did not think that blacks should have the same social and political rights as the whites. In one of his debates in 1858 when contesting for the US Senate, Lincoln stated, “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races,” and going on to say that he opposed blacks having the right to vote, to serve on juries, to hold office and to intermarry with whites. What he did believe was that, like all men, blacks had the right to improve their condition in society and to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In this way they were equal to white men, and for this reason slavery was inherently unjust.

Gandhi has been often branded as a man of convenience.  In his early days he even wrote to the Viceroy of India to form an Indian Volunteer Corp to help the British in WW2, although it did not materialize because Gandhi fell sick. Even his “experiment with the truth” has been ridden with controversy since Gandhi was supposed to practice celibacy.

Eventually it comes to not so much on the action of an individual but who the individual is. The audacity of hypocrisy appears to be louder when the beholder commands power and influence.

The story of Karna comes to my mind in the Mahabaratha. Karna lived a virtuous life prescribing to the philosophy of Dharma (act of righteousness and charity).

When Lord Krishna revealed that the Pandava brothers were actually  Karna’s half- brothers and  tried to dissuade Karna from battling against his brothers, in the war of Kurushetra, Karna refused. Instead Karna said that he had moral obligation to fight for his friend Duryodhana of the Kauravas. Respecting Karna’s virtues Lord Krishna withdrew in disappointment. Again when Karna’s mother Kunti approached him for the same reason Karna only promised that at the end of the war she would still have 5 sons. He believed that only Arjuna is a worthy adversary to him and he would keep his battle only with him not the other 4 brothers.

At the end of that battle, when Lord Krishna appeared before the wounded Karna disguised as a Brahmin, Karna did not hesitate to transfer his merits of Dharmam (charity) when it was requested by Lord Krishna. It was Karna’s nature to ‘give’. Upon transferring of this merit, Karna dies. It was  believed that it was Karna’s merit that kept him alive though he was badly injured, and it was Lord Krishna’s deed to put Karna out of his misery.  Karna, I am inclined to believe was a character who lived to his last breath without flinching, to walk the talk.

That was the end of Karna, one of the greatest warriors of Mahabharata who was also the greatest “Giver”.  A man who would never refuse the request for any gift or donation, howsoever costly that might be, and irrespective of the consequences to his own well being or security. This I would certainly state is a character that stood beyond hypocrisy.

I had a chance to visit Mother Teresa’s Mother House of the Missionary of Charity in Calcutta last year. I was emotionally awe struck by the humility of Mother Teresa life. Mother Teresa lead a humble life serving the poor and sick in Calcutta. She herself although had the opportunity to live a life of comfort within her home, instead lived like everyone else in the mission.

She once said, “love, begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much of love we put in that action.” She was a woman who; indeed lived by that virtue.  She went on to say “intense love does not measure, it just gives.” Such was her dedication and commitment in what she believed and continues to live; in the hearts of many.

Does this mean one has to be a saint to be a non-hypocrite?

I leave it to the beholder to be the judge of their own actions.

HYPOCRISY = BELIEF – ACTION

AUDACITY OF HYPOCRISY = EGO – NOTHING

varmman@20140228

PONGGAL - A FESTIVAL OF THANKSGIVING FOR A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

The month of Thai is an auspicious month in the Tamil calendar. Incidentally the Tamil calendar as well as the Hindu calendar are Solar- based calendar. Today marks the day when the Sun moves into the zodiac sign Capricorn on the celestial path. It also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring,

This period is considered to be most auspicious for Hindus where it is celebrated all over India and other parts of the world where Hindus live with diverse cultural, spiritual and festive forms.

PONGGAL is celebrated predominantly by Tamilians as a harvest festival. Similarly in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttarakandh, Rajasthan, Madya Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Odisha, Sikkim and West Bengal its called MAKARA SAKRANTHI. In Gujarat is called UTTARAYAN, MAGHI in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, LOHRI is what is called in Punjab, BHOGALI BISU in Assam and KICHDI in Uttar Pradesh.

Interestingly this auspicious event is one of the very few Hindu festivals that fall exactly on the same date as the Gregorian calendar i.e. on 14th January every year owing to its solar orientation.

In Malaysia, Tamilians celebrate Ponggal with much fervour and gaiety. Based on the Hindu Panchagam (Hindu Almanac) the start of the month of Thai is determined. Most households would start cooking rice Ponggal (rice with milk, palm sugar (or jaggery), raisins, cashew nuts and ghee, in a earthen pot over a wood stove in front of the house. Of course in urban households more so in high rise dwellings,  it may be not be possible to use traditional stove, as such normal cooking in the kitchen is common.

The Ponggal pot is decorated with fresh turmeric plant. Turmeric is regarded as highly auspicious and holy in India.  Turmeric is associated with the sun as well as Lord Vishnu in Hinduism. Hindus also believe that Goddess Durga resides in this plant. The plant is also regarded as the manifestation of Goddess Durga. Turmeric is also used to make the form of Lord Ganesha, who is regarded as the remover of obstacles and is invoked in the beginning of all occasions. Further yellow is the colour of solar plexus chakra, where in Ayurveda (Indian Traditional Medicine) it is associated with the energy center relating to the metabolic and digestive center. Further orange is associated with the sacral chakra which is the energy point for the reproductive system. Thus the significance of turmeric. 

Ponggal or the Harvest festival in a way is also considered thanksgiving to the Sun, which has provided for the living of mankind. Prayers are offered for continued blessing for a bountiful harvest in the coming year as well. 

Ponggal festival is celebrated over four days, with day one being Boghi (Day of Cleansing), Veetu Ponngal  or Surya Ponggal (Home Ponggal / Sun Ponggal) being day two, the third is Maattu Ponggal (Cow Ponggal) and the final day being Kaanum Ponngal (Reunion Ponggal).

Boghi is the day where everyone does spring cleaning. The highlight of the day would be to burn old or unusable household items or clothing. Purchasing of new items example vehicle, furniture or fittings, new clothes etc would be welcome. A home which is cluttered with old and unused items actually generates negative energy. Similarly a home which is unkempt also does not generate positive "chi".   

Veetu Ponggal is the day when the household is decorated with sugarcane, mango leaves, and kolam . The cooking of the Ponggal as described above takes place. On a spiritual level sugarcane which is firm and straight symbolizes a stern and a balanced mind that controls the five senses (lust, anger, greed, pride and jealousy) and fosters positive thought in an individual. Mango leaves basically is believed to absorb negative energy from entering a home or places where an auspicious event is taking place. Kolam is generally drawn on the floor at the entrance of the home. Rice flour is used so as to allow it to be food for crows, squirrels, ants and other insects. As a Hindu this is part of Pancha Maha Yagna (daily duties) which is called Bhutha Yagna. This act is intended to create in man the spirit of sharing with all living beings.

On the third day the Maattu Ponggal is celebrated, where cows regarded as sacred to Hindus are honoured. This is because cows plays a significant role especially in the agricultural sector and in rural India. Cows are used as a mode of transportation, in farming, and it is also the source for milk (a staple and from which yogurt and ghee are made). Therefore it is not surprising why cows are revered in India. On this day the cows are bathed in scented water, their horns are coloured and Ponggal is cooked and served to the cows.

On the fourth day Kaanum Ponngal is celebrated. Kaanum means "to view", on this day family and friends visit each others' homes to share the joy. Also in India, this is the day employees (in particular in the agricultural sector) are given special bonuses by their bosses. This day also sees filial piety where brothers shower their married sisters with gifts. In some customs unmarried girls also seek divine blessings to be betrothed. These customs may differ from place to place.

At 6.00pm, whilst I was typing on this blog, I witnessed the milk overflowing and rice was just added to the milk and soon other ingredients would follow suit to prepare the Ponggal. This year, my daughter, Raviena had been entrusted  to make the Ponggal. Ponggal is not complete without the shout of "Ponggolo Ponggal" when the boiled milk overflows from the pot. This represents the fervour and expectations of prosperity that a household would like to witness in the coming year. It is time the younger generation understand traditions & customs and its scientific & spiritual significance. Today I see many of these traditions and practices are slowly dying, not because it has become irrelevant but due to lack of understanding and knowledge.

The role played by elders is very important in imparting these gems. However ironically many of these elders themselves are equally ignorant on many aspects of these traditions and rituals. Perhaps they themselves blindly followed their forefathers and with the passage of time it merely became a ritual without a soul, and eventually became susceptible to neglect and consigned to oblivion.

But I see a lot of curiosity in the younger generation. With the right motivation and encouragement, perhaps we can can re-ignite the "pearls of the past" to create a meaningful future.

I am going to have my bath now, the Ponggal will be ready soon, we will do our prayer and than off to dig into the sumptuous "Chakkara Ponggal" (Sweet Ponggal).

HAPPY PONGGAL EVERYONE!!!
MAY WE BE GUIDED ALWAYS WITH WISDOM AND COMPASSION
OM TAT SAT 

        

THE HIDDEN TEMPLE SERIES 1 : STAMBESWARAR TEMPLE, SIYAMANGLAM, TAMIL NADU

I chanced upon Stambeswarar Temple while reading an article in a magazine. I was intrigued by its history and during my visit to India in December 2013, I made sure to visit this historical/sacred site. The temple is located in a village called Siyamangalam, Vandavasi Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

This temple was built during the reign of Mahendra Varmman I (600 - 630 CE), a Pallava King who was known for his interest in the letters and architecture. In fact he was instrumental in the rock cut architecture which later became the stamp of identity of the Pallavas. This particular type of architecture does not use brick, wood, mortar or metal. Amongst the famous architecture would be Mahabalipuram, which incidentally was also built by Mahendra Varmman I. Thevaram written by Appar and Gnanasambanthar (Tamil Saints) also flourished under his reign.  

Interestingly Mahendra Varmman was a patron of Jain faith and later he embraced Saivism under the influence of Saint Appar. In remembrance of his father Shimhavishnu whom he preceeded, Mahendra Varmman I built this temple at a holy site revered by locals for time immemorial. The protruding stone seen below has a 'Puranic' story attached to it. It is believed that this was the site where Lord Shiva's staff got embedded and the protruding stone below is said to be the staff, and legend says that the stone formation grows by a few millimetres every year.  

Today this temple comes under the purview of ASI (Archaeological Survey India). I managed to speak to the temple priest who enlightened me with many unique features of this temple. Firstly the Shiva Lingga was constructed with a square 'peedam'  (base) a typical early Pallava structure, which is unlike Chola architecture (and practiced todate) which has an oval shaped 'peedam'. Further to that the Dwarapalakar (inner sanctum guards) are Lord Yama (Lord of Death) on the right and Chitragupta (Record Keeper of Karma) on the left.

Lord Shiva's consort in this temple is known as Maragathavalli. Her statue is carved in such a way that when one looks from the right you see a smiling face and from the left, a fierce look can be seen. Interestingly from a direct frontal view her face looks pretty normal. 

There is also a carving of Lord Shiva in Dancing Nadaraja form outside the main sanctum. This is believed to be the first carving of Nadaraja in Tamil Nadu. The uniqueness of this carving is unlike the usual pose where the snake will be on Lord Nadaraja' head and a demon on his feet, here you find the snake is dancing with the Lord Nadaraja and the demon is playing a musical instrument. Nandi (Lord Shiva's Vimana is located outside the temple and the reflection from oil lamp placed in front of Nandi illuminates the inner sanctum. Lord Murugan is carved out on a another rock mound within the temple compound. So are Lord Ganesha and the Lords of the Nine Planets carved out within the compound at ground level. 

The temple is closed during full moon. It is believed that during this period Siddhars (Perfected Ones) visit this temple and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The priest mentioned that in the morning after, holy water placed in the inner sanctum if taken on an empty stomach by women who have difficulty in conceiving, would result in their able to conceive within 48 days.

Beyond the miracle that this temple is believed to possess, I was totally awe struck by the history, architecture and the divinity this temple embraces.

Next time if you are in the neighborhood, this place is worthy of a  visit.. 

End of Gregorian 2013 and The Beginning of Gregorian 2014

On 24th February 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the refined version of the Julian calendar which has been adopted as a universal standard since. 

Today marks the second day in the Gregorian calendar of the year 2014.  

My family and I ended the year with a great holiday and at the same time had to hear a tragic news about a friend who was brutally attacked as he was leaving a bank.

Life is full of surprises, my neighbor who was a national hockey player and a tennis coach by profession collapsed after a match point with a massive cardiac arrest and died on the court. On the other hand a friend, 15 years after his first boy tried unsuccessfully to have another, eventually was gifted with a baby girl in December. 

These events reflects the many wonders that we can't comprehend. Much as we try, the more intriguing it becomes. So how do we account and manage ourselves? A perpetual question dealt differently by different cohorts.

For the religious they seek divine intervention. For the secularist they crunch the numbers. When outcome conforms to expectations they resign to their convictions. But when outcome differs from expectation than rationalization sets in. To the religious they believe they have not accumulated sufficient karma to deserve an eventful outcome, so resolution for the following year would be to do more good deeds, pray harder and seek forgiveness from the almighty. To the secularist it would have been due be unsound projections, weak planning or poor execution. So the solution is to back to the drawing board to rectify the wrong.

Hence life goes on year after year driven by individual psyche based on perspective as to how they perceive their purpose of existence.

In all these haste in chasing the desired outcome often people neglect to understand and appreciate the state of a "MEANINGFUL LIFE."

Meaningful to whom? Obviously to 'thine self 'and the 'environment' one lives. 

My friends wife who is a Headmistress in a small rural primary school of fifty students narrated a story. Six of her students excelled in the Primary School Assessment Test (a government examination) and as a reward she asked these students what would they like. Apparently without hesitation all the six students indicated that they would like to visit her at her home. As much as being baffled, she, her husband and children played host to these kids who came from rural and pretty much a poor background. The students had a good time and narrated to other schoolmates. This apparently had created a buzz in the entire school and somewhat had kick started a drive to excel amongst other students. A simple gesture it may have been, but it was definitely a meaningful one that has affected the psyche of these aspiring kids. Kudos to my friend and his wife. As he is going through some difficult time now, I believe his simple and meaningful gesture would invoke positive vibration from these innocent and aspiring kids towards his healing.

Being aware and understanding the fragility of life, in itself, should lead us to a meaningful existence.

Lets reflect on what has happened in 2013 and celebrate 2014 with open arms.

OM TAT SAT.    

    

Education and Human Dignity - A MADIBA Story 1918 - 2013

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” said Mandela. Mandela who started his education journey in 1925 enrolled in a missionary primary school in Qunu where his teacher gave him the name Nelson after Admiral Nelson. In 1940 he was expelled from the University College of Fort Hare in Alice owing to a student rights dispute. Mandela had the opportunity to meet political activist, Walter Sisulu, who got him a job in a law firm. In 1942 Mandela completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Africa.

Whilst formally inducted into the African National Congress, Mandela enrolls for a law degree at the University of Wits in 1943. Upon forming the ANC Youth league and later becoming the Transvaal ANC President and rousing the famous “Defiance Campaign”, Mandela was imprisoned for 9 months in 1952. Upon his release, together with Oliver Tambo, he established the first black South African law firm.

In 1955 Mandela launches the Freedom Charter, which marks his journey to freedom taking a more militant stand in his quest.  Beginning  1962 Mandela began to spend time in prison , which lasted  27 years and was considered the longest at the Robben Island Prison. Though behind bars, the spirit of freedom he sat in motion  continued to engulf the nation. Finally with the perseverance and sacrifices of South Africans, in 1990 the apartheid  regime lifted the ban on the ANC and eventually that led to the freeing of Nelson Mandela in the same year. In 1994 Mandela was elected to the parliament as the first President of a Democratic South Africa.

“Rolihlahla” (which means ‘troublemaker’ in Xhosa) Mandela, born to an illiterate father and raised to realize the importance of education in the struggle for freedom for his people, said  “I went from having an idealistic view of the law as a sword of justice to a perception of the law as a tool used by the ruling class to shape society in a way favorable to itself. I never expected justice in court, however much I fought for it, and though I sometimes received it,” his commitment never seized.  

Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi, Jose Rizal, Ambedhkar, Martin Luther King, and Fidel Castro (the list is not exhaustive) all had something in common where education played a significant role towards their social conscious awakening and the pursuit of justice thereafter.

Education establishes the invocation of human dignity. It is sad to see many in the world do not even have access to basic education what more tertiary education. But then again it was sheer perseverance that made Madiba the legend that he has become.

The inspiration of ‘Madiba’ Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela is best captured by this poem below by Rabindranath Tagore, which resonates  a universal pursuit of upholding human dignity.

 Where The Mind Is Without Fear

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake 

Om…… Shanti…..Shanti ….Shanti

PROPHETS COMPLEX

"Before the Beginning, after the great war between Heaven and Hell, God created the Earth and gave dominion over it to the crafty ape he called Man. And to each generation was born a Creature of Light and a Creature of Darkness... and great armies clashed by night in the ancient war between good and evil. There was magic then, nobility and unimaginable cruelty. So it was until that day when a false sun exploded over Trinity, and Man forever traded away wonder for reason." -  Samson in "Milfay."

A very learned friend of mine used the word “Prophets Complex” to describe someone we mutually know. That prompted me to ponder further on the phenomenon.

We are living in a highly fragile, high strung existentialist world. But society at different periods of time would have said the same thing at various times of social upheaval. Whether it was Greece during the philosophical revolution or Rome during the transition from Republican to Empire, or the end of the iron age Vedic civilization or the European Renaissance or post WW2, or the age of Digital Society, at every point in time, the world has witnessed the rise of eccentric individuals with strong convictions about their beliefs. These individuals in turn tried to exert their ideologue on the environment where they were located. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Caligula, Shah Jehan, Hitler, Idi Amin etc. etc. are amongst some of the most famous/infamous people representing all walks of life.

Interestingly with the beginning of the industrial revolution, a new breed of corporate messiahs have emerged, propagating their own messianic vision on their sundries. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates could be an occasional exception but the host of people from Henry Frick, Jay Gould, John Patterson, Carly Fiorina, Stan O’Neil, Ken Lay, Angelo Mozilo, Gerald Levin (and the list is not exhaustive) all have one thing in common At the prime of their careers, they became God- like individuals who feared none but instead were feared by employees.

These corporate magnates achieved the highest level of success from their own humble beginnings but at their pinnacle of success they became obsessed with “sure success” that they couldn’t go wrong. Merton theorizes this as the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy, only that in the case of the above mentioned corporate leaders, the prophecy was proven a myth.

Although the irrational actions of these corporate leaders are known, it would be a case of  “The Emperor’s new clothes” dilemma. Nobody dared to challenge the pompousness of the emperor, for if one does he/she would be ridiculed and humiliated or worse, would have faced a more severe wrath.

Whether Corporate, Religious, Social or even Political, we see an even larger emergence of such behavior with what is coined as the “Prophets’ Complex.”

Yisrayl “Buffalo Bill” Hawkins, Marshall Applewhite, Sun Myung Moon, David Koresh, Jim Jones, George Baker, Ron Hubbard and the list of endless so called GOD - Man  have thousands of followers who believe in their prophecy.

Whether it is consummation by choice or coercion in any one of these circumstances as what the Bible says, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth”(Isaiah 53:7), the ignorant man falls prey.

From the mass suicide of Jim Jones and his followers to the scandal- tainted Ken Lay’s actions on Enron employees, the commonality is that the victims knew the irrationality but either they were too afraid to speak or did not want to jeopardize their comfort zones.

The self-perception theory developed by Daryl Bem states that people develop their own attitude based on their behavior and summing the attitudes that has caused it. In his work, “The Will to Believe”, William James asserts that the acceptance of a belief (be it religious or otherwise) unconditionally leads to the beholder’s confidence on his/her assertions. By and large an assumed socio-psychological mindset coupled with compliant stakeholders reinforces the beholder’s convictions.

So where does this leave the affected stakeholders?   “Accept and you shall perish slowly, reject and you shall be banished immediately.”  The choice is yours.

Perhaps the conversation between Rama and Ravana below from the great Hindu epic, “The Ramayana” best captures the essence of being a good leader sans EGO and displaying humility thus void of the Prophets Complex.

Ravana lies mortally wounded in the battleground, and Rama tells his brother Lakshmana to seek Ravana’s wisdom before Ravana dies. As much as Ravana was a brute King, he was a great scholar himself. Lakshmana came back to Rama dejected, saying that Ravana refused to even look at him. Then Rama asked Lakhsmana, “Where did you position yourself when seeking Ravana’s blessings?”  Lakshmana said, “I was near his head hoping to keep my ears near to his mouth to listen what he has to say.”

Rama smiled, laying his bow on the ground. He then moved towards Ravana, bows down at Ravana’s feet and says, “Lord of Lanka, you abducted my wife, a terrible crime for which I have been forced to punish you. Now, you are no more my enemy. I see you now as you are known across the world, as the wise son of Rishi Vishrava.   I bow to you and request you to share your wisdom with me. Please do that for if you die without doing so, all your wisdom will be lost forever to the world.”

To Lakshmana’s surprise, Ravana opens his eyes and raises his arms to salute Rama, “If only I had more time as your teacher than as your enemy. Standing at my feet as a student should, you are a worthy recipient of my knowledge. I have very little time so I cannot share much but let me tell you one important lesson I have learnt in my life. Things that are bad for you, seduce you easily; you run towards them impatiently. But things that are good for you, fail to attract you. You shun them creatively, finding excuses to justify your procrastination. That is why I was impatient to abduct Sita but procrastinated in meeting you. This is the wisdom of my life, dear Rama. My last words I give to you.” With these words, Ravana dies. (excerpt from Ramayana-courtesy of Bharat Janani).

OM TAT SAT.