Be a Jambavan and Hanuman
Jambavan continued his technique to boost the morale and confidence of Hanuman
बलम् बुद्धिः च तेजः च सत्त्वम् च हरि सत्तम |
विशिष्टम् सर्व भूतेषु किम् आत्मानम् न सज्जसे || Valmiki Ramayan 4-66-7
You are the finest among all beings by dint of your force, faculty, flair and fortitude. Why then is there hesitation in your task of leaping the ocean?
Here Jambavan says that Hanuman has every quality necessary for the given challenge and also takes a dig at his ‘lack of confidence’.
Further, Jambavan explains the rationale for his confidence in the strength of Hanuman by reminding him that he is the son of Vayu, the Lord of Wind, and few of his childhood adventures.
Explain the rationale for the confidence especially highlighting previous successes so that the other party could understand and appreciate the sincerity and authenticity of the attempt.
अभ्युत्थितम् ततः सूर्यम् बालो दृष्ट्वा महा वने |
फलंचेतिजिघृक्षुस्त्वमुत्प्लुत्याभ्युत्पतोदिवम् - यद्वा -
फलम् च इति जिघृक्षुः त्वम् उत्प्लुत्य अभिउत्पतो दिवम् || Valmiki Ramayan 4-66-21
When you were a boy you saw the just risen sun in the vastness of the forest, and deeming it to be a just ripened reddish fruit, and thinking it to be the best catch, you hopped up and flew towards the sun in the sky.
Here, Jambavan narrates a childhood adventure of Hanuman, making the challenge at hand much easier.
When you are attempting confidence building, Narrate instances of previous success and avoid talking about failures.
उत्तिष्ठ हरि शार्दूल लंघयस्व महा अर्णवम् |
परा हि सर्व भूतानाम् हनुमन् या गतिः तव || Valmiki Ramayan 4-66-36
“Arise, oh lion-like monkey, leap over this vast ocean, oh Hanuman, your escape velocity is indeed unlike that of all the other beings.”
Jambavan concluded his long speech and persuaded Hanuman to get ready for the action. Hanuman increased his size and took a giant leap across the ocean with confidence, kindled by Jambavan. The rest is history.
Hanuman, as a Vanara (monkey), represents man’s lower self, which by default believes and acts as he is nothing more than a body with limitations. When Jambavan reminded him of who he is and what his strengths are, he connected with the higher self and achieved wonders.
Hanuman did wonders at Lanka. But we cannot ignore the role of Jambavan in preparing him for the wonders. Jambavans are as important as Hanumans in every team. Hanuman would not have found out Sita Mata if Jambavan was not there in his team. Moreover, Jambavan’s effort turned out to be successful because Hanuman was receptive to Jambavan. Be receptive, be serious and acknowledge with thanks the words of appreciation and encouragement received from your mentors / role models.
All successful men would have faced Jambavans on many occasions. We need more Jambavans in our corporate life. Let us ask ourselves, “How many Hanumans can I develop in my lifetime?”
We don’t have to wait for a Jambavan. We can do the ‘positive reinforcement’ to ourselves to boost our confidence.
Techniques for ‘positive reinforcement’ in the next episode of Monday Musings.
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From Tragedy to triumph
Adapted from THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS online edition
1969 communal riots at Ahmedabad ended up devastating for a 12-year-old boy named Chandu Bhati. A bomb was hurled near his home in the Shankarbhuvan area. In a split second, the boy covered his mouth in fear as the explosion claimed both his hands below the elbow. Devastated at 12, Chandu now at 67 continues to serve, a beacon of resilience and inspiration for many.
After overcoming his childhood trauma, he pursued his education and built a successful career in government service. Now retired, Chandu dedicated his life to uplifting others with disabilities. He actively collaborates with organisations to implement impactful programs aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities.
With a lifelong passion for sports, Chandu joined a parasports organisation post-retirement, where he has played a crucial role in training athletes, including the celebrated Bhavina Patel, a silver medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Growing up in poverty, his parents worked tirelessly to provide education and a better future for their children. However, their hopes were shattered when Chandu, at the tender age of 12, lost both his hands in the riots. Despite this harrowing experience, Chandu’s spirit remained unbroken, and he transformed his adversity into a force for good.
For three long years, Chandu fought tirelessly through medical procedures and rehabilitation, missing out on his education during this challenging time.
He continued to face challenges after recovery as well. This time to find a school which would admit a boy without hands. He got admitted to a school courtesy his persistence and resourcefulness.
After completing the school, Chandu set his sights on higher education, enrolling in a college where he studied alongside able-bodied peers. It was during this time that Chandu discovered his passion for sports. Upon graduating, he secured a position as a talati minister (panchayat secretary). However, feeling unfulfilled, he decided to pursue a junior clerk exam and successfully joined the Ahmedabad District Panchayat’s education department.
“Because I have no hands, government officials often hesitated to assign me tasks, questioning how I would lift files or sign documents. Yet, I turned that insult into strength.” Chandu adds, “I poured my heart into my work and was honoured to receive the Best Government Employee award twice.”
Chandu not only excelled in his government job but also developed a remarkable range of skills, showcasing his ambidexterity through his passion for painting. His talent flourished, leading him to win numerous awards in both district and state-level competitions.
His enthusiasm for sports always remained. Chandu’s first significant achievement came in 1972-1973 when he won a gold medal for running and a bronze medal in the long jump at the National Sports.
Chandu not only made his mark as an accomplished athlete but also as a cricket manager for the state-level team. His adventurous spirit shines through in his love for mountain climbing; he has successfully summited many peaks and tackled the challenging routes to Amarnath. Despite his disability, he is an adept swimmer.
Chandu established a marriage bureau specifically for disabled individuals and is a key member of the Disabled People Advocacy Group, which offers legal assistance to those in need. In addition, Chandu serves as the secretary of the Para Sports Association of Gujarat, advocating for the inclusion of disabled individuals in sports. Chandu’s dedication extends to multiple organisations aimed at empowering differently-abled individuals, reinforcing his commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.