300th special episode of #MondayMusings covered the zenith of all the slokas in #ValmikiRamayan, 5.37.13 in #SundaraKand उत्साहः पौरुषं सत्त्वमानृशंस्यं कृतज्ञता। विक्रमश्च प्रभावश्च सन्ति वानर राघवे।।Valmiki Ramayan 5.37.13।।
I shall briefly explain these seven traits ascribed as that of Lord Ram.
1. Utsahaha is the mother of all positive habits and hence #Valmiki listed Utsahaha on the top of the list. Ever enthusiastic person would easily acquire all other positive traits, similarly lack of enthusiasm would diminish whatever other positive traits and skills. Utsaham is infectious and spreads to all other people around.
Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 18.26 extols the importance of utsaham.
मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वित: | सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकार: कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते || Bhagavad Gita 18.26||
Person is said to possess satvika (goodness) when he or she is free from egotism and attachment, endowed with enthusiasm and determination, and equipoised in success and failure. Enthusiasm and determination together can guarantee success for sure.
2. (Powrusham) Fearlessness – Fear and doubt inhibit enthusiasm; hence fearlessness and confidence are essential to sustain enthusiasm. That is why Valmiki listed fearlessness as the second trait possessed in abundance by Lord Ram.
Fear is a useful natural survival response but the response to the fear is the trait to be developed.
Fear is a reaction; Courage is a decision – Winston Churchil
We may not be able to always control when we feel fear, but we can always choose to act in courage, even with that fear being ever present”.
3. (satvam) Goodness, Characteristic of being good in everything what we do and to everyone all the time. Lord Ram showed goodness in all the situation even when he was in misery.
4. (anrusshamsyam) Kindness. Kindness might look like an odd man out in the list of 7 leadership traits. Compassion to the team is an essential leadership trait. #ServantLeadership model is not a new concept but practiced by Lord Ram. Kind leaders encourage participation in work teams, appreciate their subordinates, care about them and have full confidence in what they do and allow their team members to give their opinion. Being kind takes self-awareness, personal confidence and a mindset that ensures you can see goodness in others and positivity in challenging situations.
5. (krutangtha) Gratitude. Most powerful and underestimated skill of a great leader is Gratitude.
Gratitude is key to recognizing the people who drive our organization's success. While deadlines and meetings can be demanding, taking a moment to acknowledge a team member's accomplishments, whether it's completing a project, overcoming a challenge, or reaching a milestone, is a worthwhile investment that yields significant benefits. Expressing gratitude impacts both the giver and the receiver while concurrently increasing engagement and an authentic sense of belonging in the workplace.
6. (Vikrama) Commitment to Work :
It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through. - Zig Ziglar
for leaders, commitment is a critical component of trust. If you can wake up every day and find a way to take one more step forward, that’s progress.
7. (Prabhava) Prowess
Prabhava translates to Greatness or Splendor. Can mean Importance, Beautiful, Brilliance, Energetic. Let us take ‘Being the Best in the chosen field’. Getting recognized as the ‘best in the chosen field’ not out of birth or luck but out of choice, out of commitment and hard work.
Love what you do. If you cannot love what you do, do what you love.
“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.”~ Kahlil Gibran
Very strong words but true. If you want to become the best in your field, which you must do anyway, you must settle in a work which you would enjoy. If you have still not found out, introspect today.
Valmiki Ramayan is full of stories and incidents of Lord Ram demonstrating all the above seven leadership traits. That is why he is called a #maryadapurusha. Let us also learn from #ValmikiRamayan and become good leaders.
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#PositiveNewsPage
Adapted from https://www.newindianexpress.com/
In a world often drowning in fleeting likes and the hollow echo of superficial connections, one young woman, just 22 years old, is rewriting the rules of social media. R Sagaya Angelin Shalini isn’t just chasing followers on Instagram; she’s chasing broken hearts. Driven by a personal tragedy, she is wielding the power of connection like a lifeline, offering something infinitely more valuable than a fleeting donation – she is offering unwavering love, fierce compassion, and the defiant belief that no one should face their struggles alone.
Shalini’s story is one of resilience, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Growing up in Chennai, she was inspired by her father, A Robert Bellarmin, a man who instilled in his family the importance of giving back. While studying civil engineering, Shalini began working part-time, quietly using her modest earnings to support children in a local orphanage.
Tragedy struck on February 28, 2022. A horrific accident claimed the life of her father, shattering Shalini’s world. The loss was devastating. But from the ashes of grief, a fire ignited. Shalini resolved to honor her father’s memory not just through mourning but through action, transforming her pain into a powerful force for good.
In August 2023, she launched her Instagram page, ‘Shalini Robert,’(@shalini_robert_) a beacon of hope connecting her with individuals across Tamil Nadu. This wasn’t about building a personal brand; it was about building a community of support, a network of love. It became her platform to reach out to those struggling with hardship, loneliness, and despair.
Shalini travels across the state, visiting people in their homes, listening to their stories and sharing their burdens. She becomes their friend, their confidante, and for some, the ‘Amma’ they long for.
Her generosity is boundless. She has provided everything from basic necessities to life-changing resources: small shops, equipment for entrepreneurs, educational support, and even help with housing. But her support goes beyond a one-time donation.
Shalini shares these stories of transformation on her Instagram page. These aren’t tales of pity; they are celebrations of resilience, affirmations of hope.
“My belief is clear,” Shalini explains. “Spreading love is more important than just giving money. It takes more to offer emotional support, to give your time, to truly connect. I travel with these people; I see how they live, and I make sure they are safe. It’s not easy, but it’s what I do. And through it, I have received the truest love imaginable.”
Shalini’s dream is to build a safe home in Chennai, a sanctuary where anyone in need can find not just financial assistance, but the love and support they deserve.