Presenting an interesting incident from the great historical epic of India (Bharatvarsha), namely the Mahabharata. This real-life event shows us how to develop focus for achieving any goal that we set in our life. Towards the end of this blog, you will find some insights/lessons. Let’s begin …
Examination of disciples by Guru Drona and Arjuna’s success
When the Pandavas and Dhritarashtra’s sons became skilled in all knowledge, their teacher Dronacharya decided to examine their skill with weapons. He assembled them together. He got an artisan to construct an artificial bird and placed it on top of a tree. The princes were not aware of it. Dronacharya said that it was to be used as a target. He said, “Quickly pick up your bows, all of you. Fix arrows to the string of the bow, stand here and aim at that bird in the tree. O sons! When I give you permission, one after another, slice off the bird’s head.”
Guru Drona first addressed Yudhishthira. “O invincible one! Aim with your arrow and let it go, as soon as I have asked you to.” Yudhishthira first picked up a bow that made a loud noise. Then, as instructed by his Guru, he stood there, with his bow stretched, aiming at the bird. After a short time, Drona asked, “O prince! Can you see that bird on the top of the tree?” “I can see it,”Yudhishthira replied to his Guru. After some time, Drona again asked, “Can you see the tree? Can you see me? Can you see your brothers?” In reply to each question, Yudhishthira answered, respectively: “I can see the large tree. I can see you. I can see my brothers and the bird.” Drona was displeased at these words and reproachfully told him, “This is not for you. You will not be able to hit the target.”
Then the Guru placed Duryodhana in the same position and Dhritarashtra’s other sons, one after another, so as to test them. Bhima and the other students and the kings who had come from other countries were also asked. All of them said that they could see everything and were scolded.
Drona then summoned Arjuna. “This target is for you to shoot down. Listen. As soon as I ask you to, you must shoot. O son! Stand here for a moment, with your bow taut.” Thus addressed, Arjuna drew his bow, aimed at the target and stood there, as his teacher had instructed. After a while, Drona asked him in the same way. “O Arjuna! Do you see the bird seated there? Do you see the tree? Do you see me?” Arjuna replied, “I can only see the bird. I cannot see the tree. Nor can I see you.” Pleased, the invincible Drona waited again for a moment. Then he again addressed Arjuna. “If you can see the bird, describe it to me.” Arjuna replied, “I can only see the bird’s head. I cannot see its body.”
At Arjuna’s words, Drona was delighted and his hair stood up. He told him, “Shoot,” and he let the arrow go. Arjuna sliced off the head of the bird on the tree with his sharp arrow and brought it down on the ground. When Arjuna succeeded in this task, Drona embraced him.
What inspiration/lessons can we learn from this true incident of Indian history?
- Concentration and Deep involvement – To achieve a goal, it is essential that our entire focus is on it. If our attention is scattered into many things, we will not be able to achieve our goal. In the above context, we saw that Guru Drona did not allow those disciples to shoot arrows whose attention was on other things besides the bird’s head. Therefore, if you want to achieve your goal, become like the brave Arjun.
- Assign the right priority – If we focus on many tasks at the same time, it can be a hindrance in achieving our goals. We should think well and decide what we should give the highest priority to in our lives. For example, if I have 3 goals to achieve, I should prioritize them – 1st, 2nd, 3rd. This will help me focus my time and energy on the task at hand. In the above context, we saw that it was very clear to Arjun that he had to keep his focus only on the head of the bird, the things around him had zero priority (no significance) for him.
- Self-confidence – A person should not be influenced by the actions, words or thoughts of others. You saw how Arjuna answered Guru Drona’s questions differently from all the other disciples. A person must have self-confidence so as to be able to take decisions different from others. It is not necessary that what most people are doing is right. We should do what we feel is right according to our conscience and intuition.
- Avoid trying to please people – One should do everything with honesty. It should not happen that when we are asked a question, we answer according to what the questioner would like to hear. No, only by being truthful can we make ourselves and our position strong. When Dronacharya asked Arjuna whether he was able to see the tree, himself (the Guru) and his brothers apart from the bird, and then when asked about the body parts of the bird, Arjuna did not think about what his teacher would like to hear. He told what he was seeing in reality. Similarly, we should also behave truthfully with ourselves and with everyone. There should be no difference in our thoughts, words and actions.
Please share your thoughts about this inspiring historical incident. Also, share any other related insights or learnings you might have.