Hold the gate open for the person behind you.

In the epic Mahabharata, Yudhishthira was offered entry into paradise. Yet, instead of accepting this privilege alone, he insisted on bringing along the weakest and most vulnerable member of his journey, a dog. This act reflects a powerful truth: true righteousness is not about reaching the destination first, but about ensuring no one is left behind.

Our scriptures offer many such lessons. One well-known story tells of King Shibi, when a frightened dove sought shelter in his lap to escape a pursuing hawk. The hawk argued that the dove was its rightful prey and that sparing it would mean starvation. Faced with this dilemma, King Shibi chose compassion for both. He offered his own flesh, equal in weight to the dove, to protect the bird without harming the hawk. When the scales still did not balance, he stepped onto them himself.

These are not merely stories from the past. They are principles for living a meaningful life. They remind us to place values above personal gain and to lead with integrity, empathy, and courage.

In today’s world, we are constantly encouraged to climb faster, achieve more, and reach the top as quickly as possible. Ambition is important, but what is the value of success if it is reached alone? Progress feels hollow when shared experiences, relationships, and human connections are left behind. Often, it is not the luxury we remember, but the simple moments, sharing a cup of tea, a short conversation, or genuine laughter that give life its true richness.

I recall a personal moment when my father was hospitalised for surgery. Each evening, he would ask for an extra empty cup so he could share his tea with my mother. Even in uncertainty, companionship made the moment complete. Some things are simply better when shared.

In this era of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence, valuing human potential has become even more important. True leadership is defined not just by intelligence or authority, but by compassion and responsibility. I once knew a manager who fought hard to save an employee’s job. When asked why, he simply said, “We’re here because someone supported us during our difficult times. If we don’t give back, what’s the point?” That mindset earned him lasting respect and loyalty.

Leaders who truly inspire are those who create cultures of trust, growth, and shared success. They understand that opening doors for others strengthens the entire system.

If you are fortunate enough to be financially secure, pursuing your dreams, and achieving your goals, that is something to be proud of. Yet the greatest impact you can make is by creating opportunities for others. Success becomes far more meaningful when it lifts more than just one person.

In the end, life is not about who reached the gate first, but about who had the grace to hold it open for the person behind them.

Leadership as Bhagvat Gitta teaches – Part 1

We’ve seen a significant rise in the number of motivational speakers in recent years. Corporations are increasingly hiring these speakers to instill leadership skills in their employees. Throughout our lives, we’ve all encountered various types of leaders during different stages. From childhood to our final moments on this planet, there is always someone we admire, someone we perceive as superior in some way. The word "leader" seems simple but is challenging to fully grasp. Who exactly is a leader? Is it your manager in a higher position? The CEO running the organization? Or the Prime Minister leading the country? While there are undoubtedly individuals in every field with the expertise and experience to manage large organizations, does that alone make them a true leader?

What defines a leader? 

People often admire someone more powerful or accomplished than themselves, and admiration often leads to imitation. I recall how much I admired my first corporate manager—so much so that I subconsciously began to mirror his personality. I adopted his email-writing style, learned the sophisticated words he used when addressing teams, and even mimicked his approach to handling client escalations on calls. Eventually, I became a near replica of his character, to the point where some of my former colleagues noticed the transformation. I wasn’t consciously trying to imitate him; it was my subconscious, fueled by admiration and aspiration, that began replicating his every action in an attempt to be like him. 

One of the key traits of a leader is their ability to influence. 

Take movie actors as an example. People follow them, wear the brands they promote, and use the products they endorse. Just as actors influence the masses with their beauty and charisma, a leader influences followers through their behavior and skills. 

The Bhagavad Gitta offers deep insight into what it means to be a leader. In his discourse to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna explains why he takes birth in this universe, emphasizing the responsibilities and influence of a true leader. 

Chapter 3 verse 21, 22 and 23 reads as below:

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥ २१ ॥

Translation: “Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.”

न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन ।
नानवाप्त‍मवाप्त‍व्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥ २२ ॥

Translation: “O son of Pṛthā, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I a need to obtain anything – and yet I am engaged in prescribed duties.”

यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः ।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ २३ ॥

Translation: “For if I ever failed to engage in carefully performing prescribed duties, O Partha, certainly all men would follow My path.”

***translation source Bhagvat Gitta as it is by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

In summary, Krishna, as the Supreme Godhead, does not need to be born in this cosmic universe, as he is fully capable of achieving anything he desires without incarnating. So why does he choose to take birth and endure the cycle of pain, pleasure, suffering, agony, and, ultimately, life and death?

Consider the hardships he faced in Treta Yuga. Despite being a king, he relinquished his throne to live in the forest for 14 years. He spent months in deep sorrow, separated from his wife. He even allowed his wife to stay in an ashram while she was pregnant, all to restore peace and harmony to his kingdom. Do any of these actions seem joyful? Certainly not.

Krishna himself says, "In this entire universe, there is nothing I cannot attain, nothing that brings me greater pleasure, and no desire or greed that drives me." The same Krishna, who as a mere infant vanquished numerous demons—could he not have killed Kansa without taking birth? Of course, he could have.

Whether as the incarnation of Ram or Krishna, he chooses to be born, lives a human life, suffers, and dies—all to leave behind a legacy for future generations and Yugas to admire. By experiencing and demonstrating the pain, sacrifice, and hard work necessary to achieve something, he shows the true meaning of persistence and effort. Without these demonstrations, the value of dedication and perseverance would be lost.

In short, you cannot advocate quitting smoking if you are a chain smoker. People are unlikely to trust someone who doesn’t apply their own wisdom to their personal life. 

This is the essence of true leadership. A leader doesn’t merely speak words of wisdom; he exemplifies them through his own actions. When a leader lights the path ahead, guiding others with the torch in hand, that’s when respect is truly earned. Leadership is not just about having excellent communication skills and impressing the masses—it’s about living the principles you preach, earning the genuine loyalty of your followers, and embodying the values you profess.

Whether you are an aspiring leader or simply a member of a household, be mindful of your actions, as someone may be closely observing and imitating you. Actions are imitated far more quickly and effectively than words. Focus more on what you do than on what you say. At the end of the day, it's not your words that matter most—it's how you lived your life. Perhaps this is why so many once-revered figures, including saints, have fallen from grace, finding themselves behind bars for failing to live according to the very principles they preached.

The next time you reflect, ask yourself: Do I command, or do I lead through action? A genuine answer to this question will determine the caliber of leader you truly are. After all, even Krishna, the Supreme Godhead, exemplified leadership through action, not merely by issuing commands.