Animals don’t have doubts, hence no requirement for self-belief or self-confidence. Having skill alone will not make you achieve what you want. Ability to express that skill is the highest thing that will make you achieve what you want. And the first thing with respect to expressing your ability is not physical strength, it’s the mental strength. This mental strength is called self-belief or self-confidence.

This concept is backed up by a story from the Mahabharata. Even though Karna joined the battle in the later stage, he was not worried about whether he will win or lose. He had faith in himself; he knew his powers. King Shalya (Arjuna’s uncle) was tricked by Duryodhana to be the charioteer for Karna. When Yudhishthira came to know about this, he requested Shalya to demotivate Karna. He asked him to constantly discourage Karna that he cannot win the battle and that he will be defeated by Arjuna who is more skilful. Shalya agrees and does the same, but Karna doesn’t bother about all those. He says he knows who he is and what to do. On the other hand, Arjuna has Lord Krishna as the charioteer. Being the best student of the great teacher and trainer Dronacharya and having all the skills, Arjuna was worried about facing Karna. He was not having the confidence of winning the battle. In spite of having Krishna as the charioteer who is encouraging him constantly, Arjuna was still not able to believe in his own powers. Therefore, it is not about how much skill we possess, it is about how much power we are backed up by. It is the faith that we have in our own self which will help us come out and achieve the success that we want.

This episode is considered as one of the best chapters of Bhagavad Gita. At the time of Kurukshetra war, in spite of Krishna being the best charioteer, backing and motivating Arjuna, he still had doubts about winning the battle. On the other hand, Karna being consistently discouraged by the words of his charioteer Shalya, he never bothered about it. He knew what he can do. Since he knew his own self and believed in his skill, his aim and target could not be disturbed by anyone. The best thing about faith is not believing in others, it is believing in our own self. This chapter from the Mahabharata is not just a story, it is a great strategy. In fact, it is the science behind the success which is more essential in this present pressurised corporate world where we face tough competition in every field and there is a need to prove ourselves.

For example, coal and diamond both are the same components of carbon. When coal accepts pressure, nature turns it into a diamond. It is no longer a coal. When we are unable to take the pressure, we break down. Vedas tell the same thing in a different way. Being a sparrow, flying high is a struggle. So, instead of trying to reach heights being a sparrow, transform yourself into an eagle. Once you become an eagle, flying high is no longer a struggle; it becomes its nature. That is the ultimate mentality one needs to have. This is where meditation helps us. Meditation doesn’t help us reach heights, but it transforms our entire being.

Unless you believe in your own self, you are the first enemy for your own self. Once you believe in yourself, you are like Karna backed up by Krishna and Arjuna backed up by Shalya. Shalya is a character within everybody which is not allowing you to do what you want. Your mind voice is saying you can’t do it but when you become Karna backed up by Krishna, think of the wonders that you can do.

Wishing you a life full of peace, success and abundance.

Atmayogi Shri Aasaanji

Aham Brahmasmi !