The world celebrates winners and shuns losers.
That’s the way of the world. And the world defines winners and losers arbitrarily. In the industrial age, securing a job in the factories is a ‘win’. In most Asian countries, securing a stable job constitutes a ‘win’. In the last decade, securing a software job with a muti-national company constitutes a ‘win’.
Judging oneself by other people’s standards is a guaranteed way to experience misery.
What is winning and what is losing?
The founder’s two failed startups provide him with the knowledge, know-how and experience to launch his third venture that goes to be a billon-dollar company that changes the world. Do we say that the founder “lost” because his first two startups failed? Or that he has “won” thanks to the success of his latest venture?
The CEO who took his company to a multi-million dollar IPO but became estranged with his family — did he win or lose?
Joe the plumber who provides three square meals for his family— is he a winner or loser?
The athlete who doped and cheated and got away with it — is he a winner or loser?
The student who gave it all but got scorched by a harsh grader — is she a winner or loser?
Winning and losing are labels we should maintain a social distance with.
The ever punctual Birbal was uncharacteristically late to court.
Akbar asked Birbal the reason for the delay. Birbal explained that his young son threw a tantrum and he had to deal with it before coming to court. After a moment of shocked silence, the entire court burst into raucous laughter. “The great Birbal losing to a mere child”, Akbar chuckled. “Forgive me Jahanpanah, but even the Gods sometimes are clueless when faced with a child’s obstinacy”, Birbal objected. “Bring your son to me, I’ll show you how to handle him.
Birbal brought his son to Akbar. “Son, what would you like to eat?”, asked Akbar lovingly. “Huzoor, I’d like a mango”, said Birbal’s son. Akbar asked his men to get a mango. His men got a mango and cut it into pieces and gave the boy. “I want the mango whole, I don’t want it cut”, said the boy and started crying. “I’ll get you a different mango”, said Akbar, no longer sure of dealing with the situation. “No, I want the same mango”, said Birbal’s son, and started wailing uncontrollably. Akbar tried cajoling, bribing, threatening, but nothing worked. “Take him away”, he told Birbal, and conceded that there is no ignominy in facing defeat at the hands of a child.
Rama was performing the Ashwamedha Yaga.
As a part of this Yaga, a horse would go to all neighbouring countries, and if any king captured the horse, it is tantamount to challenging Rama’s supremacy and they would have to battle Rama.
None of the kings challenged Rama — they were all happy to accept Rama’s supremacy. The horse then wandered into the forests near Valmiki’s ashram. Rama’s sons Lava and Kusha lived in Valmiki’s ashram with their mother Sita, who was banished by Rama, and saw the horse. Courage was the main ingredient in their blood — they grabbed the saddle of the horse and captured the horse. Surprised at the impudence of two young boys, Kalanemi and Pushkal, Shatrughna’s warriors, fought with Lava and Kusha. Lava and Kusha defeated them easily. Furious, Shatrughna asked Hanuman to defeat the boys.
Hanuman uprooted a tree and threw it at the boys. Lava and Kusha’s arrows destroyed the tree into pieces. Hanuman, now, had an inkling as to the identity of the boys. His thoughts were rudely interrupted by the arrows fired by these boys.
Hanuman, who was used to being on the winning side, was delighted to be on the losing side on this occasion. Losing had never tasted sweeter. Furthermore, “Let us take the prisoner to our mother”, Lava told Kusha, delighting Hanuman even more.
Rama is Hanuman’s everything. Losing to Rama’s sons in a fair fight gave Hanuman unimaginable delight. Lava and Kusha proudly took their prisoner, an unusual monkey, to their mother Sita. Sita was shocked to see who the captor was. “Release him at once”, She cried, and her boys obeyed immediately. Sita and Hanuman had a poignant and tearful reunion. She asked Hanuman not to reveal the boys’ identity to Rama just yet — and Hanuman agreed, and said goodbye to Sita and the boys before returning to Rama’s court.
Cultivating devotion to Lord Hanuman is the most beautiful way to lead a meaningful and rich life. He is known as Sankat Mochan or someone who takes away your difficulties. He also bestows devotion to his devotees. Download the free and incredible Vedic Sadhana app to deepen your bond with Lord Hanuman by performing Abhishekam, Hava, Japa, Nitya Pooja, and Sadhana of Lord Hanuman.
