गुणैरुत्तमतां याति नोच्चैरासनसंस्थितः।

प्रासादशिखरस्थोऽपि काकः किं गरुडायते॥

guNairuththamathaam yaathi nochchairaasanasamsThithah |

praasaadhashiKharasThopi kaakah kim garoodaayathe ||

Meaning: 

Excellence, greatness and mastery are acquired by one’s inherent nature, not merely by acquiring a position of power or authority through any means. Even though a crow sits on the highest point of a castle, it is not considered the king of birds, like an eagle.

In this episode, Dr. N. Hema Malini and Madhavi Nadig discuss the qualities of those we hold in high esteem.

• We chose this sutra from Chanakya Neeti since Karnataka State elections are around the corner.
• Chanakya was an ancient Indian polymath and a versatile diplomat, who lived from 375–283 BCE.
• He was a teacher, strategist, philosopher, economist, jurist, king-maker, and royal advisor to Chandragupta Maurya and his son Bindusara, of the Mauryan Dynasty.
• He authored 2 books - Arthashastra and Chanakya Neeti.
• Arthashastra is a book on statecraft, political science, economic policy, and military strategy. Many of his ideas are relevant even today, 2,300 years later.
• Chanakya Neeti is a collection of 455 sutras (aphorisms or sentences that hold deep meaning) with practical lessons for living an ideal life and ideas for ruling a kingdom.
• The sutras give all of us, irrespective of our professions, guidelines to live good lives.
• Greatness does not necessarily mean the most intelligent. Crows are the most intelligent among birds. They are one of the few species of birds and animals that use tools in their daily lives. But the eagle is called the “King of birds” since it has both intelligence, physical strength and courage. Eagles are the only species of birds to fly into a storm, while all others flee. 
• The right person for a job is not necessarily the one with the longest list of titles or degrees. When a newspaper company was brought to a standstill by a mechanical issue that no one else could solve, an old retired employee solved the problem by turning a screw.
• It’s not the skills or the potential, it’s the results that matter. Both mechanics and cardiac surgeons repair engines and fix their valves. Do they deserve to be paid the same amount?
• In our democratic country, let’s make conscious choices and elect capable leaders in polls.
• Happy voting!

What story came to mind when you heard this subhashitha? Share it with us in a comment.

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