If Krishna Was Our Charioteer

Lessons from the Mahabharata

- Shubha Jain

There are some important lessons to learn from the stories and legends in the Mahabharata and life of Lord Krishna which help us to live a better and more humble life.

Anukulya Sankalp - Aligning to the wish or the will of God.

Everything that is happening in life should be accepted as Prasada (gift) from God. Whether we consider it as good or bad, ultimately all experiences are for us to learn and grow. The lessons can be peace, love, patience, tolerance, etc.

Anukulya Sankalp is knowing that all situations are in our favour. An example is Krishna choosing Arjun's chariot. The chariot is small; it does not have many weapons and many jewels, but later, after the war, it is realized that as the chariot was small, it could easily move around the war zone and dodge all arrows. Also, since it was not bejewelled and there was no glitter, it could not be easily attacked.

Another example is of Mirabai who had totally surrendered to the will of Krishna. When she drinks the poison offered to her, it turns into nectar with the blessings of God. Trusting in God is like travelling by plane – we have to trust the pilot to reach our destination, and our pilot is God.

Pratikulyasya Varjanam - Accepting situations that are not in our favour.