Shakti

Bhagavad Gita • Chapter 1

Fear disguises itself as strategy—when we feel threatened, we seek validation from those we respect, revealing our inner insecurity.

Bhagavad Gita • Chapter 1

When we teach others, we arm them—sometimes against ourselves; the master's gift becomes the student's weapon.

Bhagavad Gita • Chapter 1

Mahabharata, Shanti Parva

Karna deceived his guru Parashurama and accidentally killed a Brahmana cow, receiving curses that would cause his death in battle against Arjuna.

Mahabharata, Adi Parva

Devavrata took a lifelong vow of celibacy and renounced the throne so his father could marry Satyavati, earning the name Bhishma.

Gandhari & Krishna

Even the righteous can be held accountable for the suffering they permit. Grief can become power when it has nowhere else to go. Some curses are accepted because they contain truth.

Bharata & Rama

The best rulers are often those who don't want to rule. Power held in trust, as temporary stewardship, is power least likely to corrupt. Symbols of presence can be as powerful as presence itself.