Jai Ho - Victory Without Defeat






JAI HO!!!

This morning I came across a short video by Devdutt Patnaik that caught my attention. Here’s what resonated with me.

In Sanskrit there are two words for Victory – ‘Jai’ and ‘Vijay.’

‘Vijay’ refers to victory when someone else is defeated. But ‘Jai’ is superior – It is when one has victory without any actual defeat. And ‘Jai’ mainly refers to the challenge we have in managing our minds – mainly our destructive emotions. Here there is neither a victor nor one who is defeated!

As a coach and trainer on Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence, I am constantly struck with the ocean of insights into mind management that lie at the foundation of ancient traditions, particularly those that emanate in the East.

And here is yet another simple goldmine – It is in ‘Jai’ that lies our sustained victory and not the ephemeral ‘Vijay.’

And that’s why ‘Jai’ has found repeat mention in our national anthem, in scriptures, in popular songs (‘Jai Ho’) whereas Vijay has been mainly restricted to defining the angry young man who beat up the evil goons!  

Age, I guess, has a way of waking us up to this simple, yet powerful insight.


So, as we begin this year, may I use this opportunity to nudge each of us to invest time and energy so that we can win – Jai style!

For each of us, this has a unique meaning....What is yours? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024

Image
  The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024 Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Sometimes, taking a step back to rekindle play and patience can be transformative. Over the past week, I attended a program called “A Primer on Patience” at the Deer Park Institute in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India. This program, based on Buddhist psychology, offered a ‘light-touch’ approach to imparting deep-rooted wisdom in an interactive and enjoyable manner accessible to everyone. I had previously studied under the lead trainer, Nivedita, and her down-to-earth and practical style of imparting wisdom resonated deeply with me. More importantly, Nivedita embodies humility and warmth, making the experience even more enriching. Here are five key insights and takeaways from my time there: 1. I Felt Free and Energized! I had forgotten how much I love sharing space with like-minded individuals in a fun learning and authentic sharing environment. We learned, we shared, we drew, we laughed, and...
Read more

We Are All on 'Standby'....

Image
We Are All On 'Standby'.... In the past few days, three poignant experiences wove themselves into a single narrative that felt too significant not to share. The first is something we all experience this time of year: the turning of the calendar . One year ends, and another begins. It’s a natural time to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s ahead. The second was attending a memorial service for a young man who tragically passed away. It was a moving tribute, but also a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. As I sat there, a friend shared about their elderly parent, deeply suffering, and said, “I wish they would find peace and move on.” The contrast was striking: here was a young man, full of life and promise, gone too soon, while another life lingered on amidst suffering. The third came from my own home. My daughter is preparing to leave for the U.S. on a standby ticket, arranged through her cousin. When people asked, “When are you leaving?” she replied, “Maybe today,” be...
Read more

"I have no intention of dying before my death" - Lessons from a Centurion

Image
  Living Fully and Leading with Intention "I have no intention of dying before my death." This powerful declaration set the tone for an inspiring morning, offering valuable insights for today’s leaders. We gathered in a sunlit, glass-enclosed room—a perfect setting for a Sunday filled with meaningful conversations and deep reflections. The atmosphere was warm, the coffee was perfect, but the true highlight of the morning was a discussion with a centenarian who had recently celebrated his 100th birthday. For the next hour, we were guided through a fascinating conversation about life lessons and their relevance in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. This centenarian’s wisdom was profound, and as leaders, we were reminded that leadership is as much about character and wisdom as it is about strategy and execution. Here are some key lessons that stood out, offering valuable guidance for leaders at every stage: "I have no intention of dying before my death." This sta...
Read more