FINANCIAL LESSONS FROM MAHABHARATA CHARACTERS
Mahabharata is acknowledged as the greatest ancient Indian epic where the main story revolves around two branches of a family – the Pandavas and Kauravas – who fought in the Kurukshetra battle for the throne of Hastinapura.
Mahabharata is known to offer valuable lessons on life, relationship and financial success – it helps us differentiate between the good and the bad; the virtuous and the vile.
The three pandavas – Arjuna, Bheema and Yudhisthra, undertook a hectic and hard journey to achieve Divyastras. Arjuna was a learner, he kept learning all his life, it helped his grow in every stage of life.
In investing, knowledge can help you grow and multiply your wealth. By keeping themselves updated and/or by consulting a financial advisers, a number of investors have achieved their financial goals and created wealth.
Taking the lessons from the epic Mahabharata, it can be said that ‘knowledge’ is a ‘Divyastra’, which may help you accomplish your financial goals, it can help you to secure the future of your loved ones, as well as, create wealth.
We tried to pick a few investing lessons from the characters of Maha-epic.
THE KAURAVAS BLINDLY TRUSTED IN THEIR UNCLE – SHAKUNI, WHO MIS-GUIDED THEM
LESSON: Shakuni was an expert in the game of gambling, he conspired against Pandavas to help Duryodhana win the game of dice. Yudhistira not only lost his kingdom and other assets, but also his brothers and wife in the game of dice. They again lost everything in the second round of the game and were sent to exile for 13 years.
In investing, bad financial advice can badly destroy your entire financial plan and negatively impact your returns. Do not blindly trust your financial planner. Check the credentials of your wealth coach and keep asking questions till you do not understand the ground. Also, avoid mis-buying and mis-selling if the product doesn’t suit you.
ABHIMANYU ENTERED THE CHAKRAVYUH WITH HALF KNOWLEDGE, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS DEFEAT
Abhimanyu, the son of Arjun and Subhadra, entered the Chakravyuh alone with half knowledge of breaking through it. When he was in his mother’s womb, Arjun narrated to Subhadra how to break into a Chakravyuh, but halfway through, Subhadra fell asleep, and thus, Abhimanyu did not learn the full technique of breaking through the chakravyuh. Resultantly, Abhimanyu knew how to enter the battle field but didn’t know how to exit, which, ultimately, led to his death.
In investing too, it is important to not to panic during market volatility. Lack of knowledge about the subject may lead wrong investment decisions and heavy loss.
YUDHISHTHIRA LOST EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THEIR WIFE, DRAUPADI, IN THE GAME OF DICE
LESSON: Complicating things can have grave adverse effects. Being an investor, if you are unable to identify the risk and returns or alternative investment options, the key is to keep it simple. Do not get enticed by quick returns or fancy products. It’s okay to earn less, but it’s not okay to lose everything. Asset allocation and diversification too has to be simple and uncomplicated.
KRISHNA’S GUIDANCE HELPED PANDAVAS EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN THE WAR
LESSON: Shri Krishna’s guidance was one of the most prominent factors that led to the success of Pandavas.
Instead of choosing the Shri Krishna’s army, Arjuna had chosen their leader. In investing world, to win and to grow your wealth, never hesitate to reach out to the gurus or the mentors for right guidance. Wrong instrument choices and poor performance can be resolved with the right strategy.
Deepak Dhabalia
Wealth Coach
