A few days ago, I woke up to disheartening news of young individuals resorting to the extreme measure of taking their own lives due to the overwhelming pressure exerted by their coaching centers in preparation for the rigorous Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and NEET for admission to the prestigious IITs and medical colleges in India. While such tragedies are deeply regrettable, they prompt us to reflect on the underlying reasons that drive such drastic actions. Many young people are compelled to join these institutes under the weight of parental or peer expectations, operating under the mistaken belief that financial success equates to happiness.
Let’s draw inspiration from the timeless fable of the hare and the tortoise, a tale instilled in every child’s consciousness, emphasizing the virtues of perseverance and steady effort leading to success. However, often overlooked is the crucial detail that the tortoise’s victory over the hare on land is contingent upon the hare becoming complacent and sleeping during the race. Without this lapse, the hare cannot be defeated. Furthermore, parents frequently fail to convey that if the race were conducted in water, the hare would be unable to move forward even a step. This illustrates that everyone possesses their own unique strengths and abilities—there is life beyond the pursuit of IITs, engineering, management and medicine as careers.
To thrive in life, it’s imperative to allow young people the freedom to explore paths aligned with their natural talents through strategic thinking. This cultivates the ability to analyze complex situations, anticipate outcomes, and make informed decisions—a skill set invaluable not only in personal, professional, and societal contexts but also in matters of governance, where political wisdom is derived from strategic thinking.
Delving into the wisdom preserved in ancient Indian texts—shastras, sutras, and tantras—we encounter insights that transcend time and hold relevance even in today’s fast-paced world. Recognizing the enduring significance of strategic thought, the princes of the ancient Chera Kingdom—Bahushakti, Ugrashakti, and Anantashakti—were coached in the art of strategic thinking through the interwoven fables of the Panchatantra by Acharya Vishnu Sharma. These tantras can be likened to a system of formulas elucidating the complex concepts of Neeti shastra, guiding individuals toward effective decision-making and success in life.
The Panchatantra’s Five Tantras—Mitrabhed (engineering differences among friends for strategic gain), Mitrasamprapti (Friendship with an objective), Kaulokiya (Use of duality for attaining an objective), Labhpranash (nullifying the advantage attained by an adversary), and Aprikshitkarka (factoring for the untested)—serve as timeless guides for strategic thinking. In this blog post, we embark on a journey into each Tantra, unraveling their essence through modern-day examples, illuminating their relevance in shaping strategic minds for navigating the complexities of contemporary life.
My recently published work, “Timeless Panchatantra in contemporary times: Training young minds for strategic thinking,” delves into several aspects of strategic thinking through analysis and interpretation of the animal characters portrayed by Acharya Vishnu Sharma. It aims to prepare young minds to face the realities of the world by guiding them to think through their goals and formulate strategies to navigate life’s challenges. To elucidate further, contemporary examples, such as Elon Musk’s perseverance and resolve in facing criticism to become the largest electric car company in the world, are used to illustrate key points.
Readers interested in a more detailed exploration of each Tantra, along with its transformative interpretation in contemporary times, are invited to explore my latest book, available on Amazon. I fully acknowledge the evolutionary nature of my interpretation and eagerly anticipate readers’ feedback to enhance future editions. Together, we aim to provide profound insights into training young people in strategic thinking across diverse domains of life, while continuously improving the relevance of modern-day examples. This will empower young individuals to understand the enduring relevance of ancient teachings in navigating contemporary challenges. By embracing the strategic wisdom encapsulated within the Panchatantra, we equip ourselves with invaluable tools to navigate the complexities of our ever-evolving world.
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