5 Lessons To Learn From Hindu Mythology - I

India is blessed with a vast culture and heritage, and legends have it that our ancient manuscripts, such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, teach us a lot about the right way of living life. The Mahabharata, the longest-written story in the world, recounts the horrific war fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas at Kurukshetra and what could have prevented it. Understanding these minute morals can result in a blissful and peaceful life.

In ancient times, teaching these morals was customary to instill values and sanskaar in children. Many filmmakers and producers have successfully produced TV series and movies based on 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 challenges that persist in today’s era already have a mention in our ancient purans?
Many transcribers believe that the cycle of life on earth is at its last phase, known as Kalyug. However, if one truly seeks satisfaction, one must learn these lessons from Hindu Mythology and incorporate them into one's approach to life.

Read about these 11 lessons one ought to learn from Mahabharata:
In this article, you will learn about the five lessons; the rest of the six lessons you can read in part II


BELIEVE IN YOURSELF:

As seen in the Mahabharata, Pandu, the father of the Pandavas, accidentally killed a sage who impersonated a 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 made a firm decision, his kingdom would not have suffered.

Moral: One should understand that one's life is attached to many lives. A single decision of a person can affect the lives of those close to him. One must believe in oneself and have the strength to make vital decisions in life, and one must not underestimate.


ACCEPT ALL CHALLENGES:

As seen in the Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent 13 years of their lives in the forest before the war. During this time, they met many intellectual sages and learned to be gentle, compassionate, courageous, and intellectual, which 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 weaknesses.


FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS, NOT TROUBLES:

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

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


FORGIVE OTHERS:

In the Mahabharata, the war could have been avoided if the Kauravas and Pandavas had forgiven each other. If Karan could forgive Draupadi for embarrassing him and his mother Kunti for deserting him, this war could have been prevented. If Draupadi could forgive the Kauravas for disrespecting and disrobing her, the war could have been 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; 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 is a perfect example in the Mahabharata when Draupadi rejected Karan in her swayamvar since he belonged to a lower caste. Her words were so spiteful that it provoked the embarrassed Karan to take revenge. 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! The right choice of words can help one express one's thoughts clearly without offending people.