Jackal Gīta
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#Mahabharata includes a simple short Gīta told by, yes, a jackal.
This Gīta is very relevant to career, success & money chimeras of our times.
It talks about value of human life, avoiding a rat-race and how to make best of what we have.
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—————
#Mahabharata includes a simple short Gīta told by, yes, a jackal.
This Gīta is very relevant to career, success & money chimeras of our times.
It talks about value of human life, avoiding a rat-race and how to make best of what we have.
1/7
This is told through story of a young Brahmin tapasvi named Kashyap, who takes a lift from a Vaishya trader.
They start arguing & trader rudely pushes him off chariot.
As Kashyap is lying on ground, cursing his poverty, feeling depressed, he starts contemplating su¡c¡de.
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They start arguing & trader rudely pushes him off chariot.
As Kashyap is lying on ground, cursing his poverty, feeling depressed, he starts contemplating su¡c¡de.
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At this point, a jackal appears.
He admonishes Kashyap, explaining how invaluable birth as human is.
E.g. humans are blessed with hands which they can use to pick worms off their body - jackals can’t do that.
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He admonishes Kashyap, explaining how invaluable birth as human is.
E.g. humans are blessed with hands which they can use to pick worms off their body - jackals can’t do that.
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Humans can also do so many other wonderful things with their hands, which animals can’t.
Even so, animals are attached to their miserable life & never contemplate a heinous sin such as suicide.
For if they did so, they might end up in even a lower form of life.
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Even so, animals are attached to their miserable life & never contemplate a heinous sin such as suicide.
For if they did so, they might end up in even a lower form of life.
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Jackal also says how wishing for money is chasing a mirage.
Even if Kashyap gets money, he can’t be a King, as he’s a Brahmin.
If he becomes a King, he can’t still be a devata.
If he becomes a devata or Indra, he will still remain dissatisfied.
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Even if Kashyap gets money, he can’t be a King, as he’s a Brahmin.
If he becomes a King, he can’t still be a devata.
If he becomes a devata or Indra, he will still remain dissatisfied.
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So Kashyap, being blessed with being born as a human, and that too as a Brahmin, should make best use of this life by following dharma.
Kashyap then realises that he is speaking to Indra, disguised as a jackal.
He sees error of his ways & decides to get on with his life.
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Kashyap then realises that he is speaking to Indra, disguised as a jackal.
He sees error of his ways & decides to get on with his life.
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This little known Gīta is called Shragāl Gīta as it was delivered by a Jackal.
This view of life is also called Paṇi Vād as it focuses on utility of human hands.
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This view of life is also called Paṇi Vād as it focuses on utility of human hands.
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If you liked this little known Gīta, please repost for others.
You might just help pull someone back from the brink.
As Indra did that day in the forest.🙏🏼
You might just help pull someone back from the brink.
As Indra did that day in the forest.🙏🏼
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