(This series unravels the dharmic dialogue between Narada Muni and Raja Yudhishthira in the Sabha Parva of Mahabharata. Part XV dealt with how travel expands one's vision and how one must keep a wise counsel; Part XV follows.).Narada Muni had been gently probing Raja Yudhishthira on several topics. In the latest, the sage had enquired if the king was in the habit of consulting a wise counsel. As a second part to the question, Narada asked Yudhishthira if also effectively managed to convey his decisions to the people of the kingdom. Here, we understand how vital communication is for a king or an administrator. The timing is even more vital.Narada reiterates that whenever a decision is taken with the counsel, if it is conveyed to people adequately beforehand, it hardly faces any resistance. Narada says, ‘commencement thou soon to convey, such measures are easily accomplished’. Once the people are made aware of decisions taken, when the action or implementation follows, they are already prepared for it. This may be observed well in the case of laws, policies and how they are actually brought into action in the modern world.While it is easy to understand and observe the need for wise counsel in government or even in companies, we must note that it applies to us at an individual level too. In our personal life also, there could be times when one has doubt on certain occasions. Then meet with wise people and make the decision. This is what the Upanishads too advice. There are several instances where the disciples part from their teachers after a long duration of study. In all cases, we see the gurus advising the students, ‘whatever you may have learnt now will take time for you to reflect and imbibe. In the meantime, should any doubts arise, especially with regard to dharma, you must consult the wise persons in your town before you make a decision.’.The Upanishad rishis say that one must visit the wise to arrive at a decision with clarity. This is not to say that we let the wise men make the decisions for us; we only have to consult them. Taking a decision solo could be dangerous or delusional, when you don’t have an understanding about life and the issues contained within. At the same time consulting too many people would only lead us to more confusion.The ability to make right decisions is an art. When the right decision is made and then followed with the right action, the consequence is beautiful. This leads to virtuous karmaphala. When a wrong decision is made and then followed up with wrong actions, the karma will haunt us negatively. Whenever one is unsure, there is nothing wrong in consulting a handful of wise people and taking the right decision.If we can do this with ease, our life would become very beautiful and smooth. When the intention is right, followed by meaningful action, our life becomes dharmic. We can commit only to dharma. And the result which will come back from such action will also be dharmic.
(This series unravels the dharmic dialogue between Narada Muni and Raja Yudhishthira in the Sabha Parva of Mahabharata. Part XV dealt with how travel expands one's vision and how one must keep a wise counsel; Part XV follows.).Narada Muni had been gently probing Raja Yudhishthira on several topics. In the latest, the sage had enquired if the king was in the habit of consulting a wise counsel. As a second part to the question, Narada asked Yudhishthira if also effectively managed to convey his decisions to the people of the kingdom. Here, we understand how vital communication is for a king or an administrator. The timing is even more vital.Narada reiterates that whenever a decision is taken with the counsel, if it is conveyed to people adequately beforehand, it hardly faces any resistance. Narada says, ‘commencement thou soon to convey, such measures are easily accomplished’. Once the people are made aware of decisions taken, when the action or implementation follows, they are already prepared for it. This may be observed well in the case of laws, policies and how they are actually brought into action in the modern world.While it is easy to understand and observe the need for wise counsel in government or even in companies, we must note that it applies to us at an individual level too. In our personal life also, there could be times when one has doubt on certain occasions. Then meet with wise people and make the decision. This is what the Upanishads too advice. There are several instances where the disciples part from their teachers after a long duration of study. In all cases, we see the gurus advising the students, ‘whatever you may have learnt now will take time for you to reflect and imbibe. In the meantime, should any doubts arise, especially with regard to dharma, you must consult the wise persons in your town before you make a decision.’.The Upanishad rishis say that one must visit the wise to arrive at a decision with clarity. This is not to say that we let the wise men make the decisions for us; we only have to consult them. Taking a decision solo could be dangerous or delusional, when you don’t have an understanding about life and the issues contained within. At the same time consulting too many people would only lead us to more confusion.The ability to make right decisions is an art. When the right decision is made and then followed with the right action, the consequence is beautiful. This leads to virtuous karmaphala. When a wrong decision is made and then followed up with wrong actions, the karma will haunt us negatively. Whenever one is unsure, there is nothing wrong in consulting a handful of wise people and taking the right decision.If we can do this with ease, our life would become very beautiful and smooth. When the intention is right, followed by meaningful action, our life becomes dharmic. We can commit only to dharma. And the result which will come back from such action will also be dharmic.