Silent Mirror
To truly lead others, we must first master the art of leading ourselves. This self-mastery is impossible without dedicated time for introspection. In these quiet moments, we sift through experiences, understand motivations, acknowledge biases and discern authentic purposes.
The wisdom traditions across millennia consistently emphasise this truth. In the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn teaches Arjun about self- realisation: 'Uplift yourself by yourself; do not let yourself degrade.' For the self alone is a friend of self, and self alone is an enemy of the self. This underscores the individual's responsibility to cultivate self-awareness. Rumi, the Persian poet, articulates the transformative power of looking inward: 'The wound is the place where the light enters you.' Reflection allows us to confront our weaknesses, not to wallow but to allow them to become portals for growth and understanding. This vulnerability, born of self-awareness, defines integrated human beings and empathetic leaders.Reflection isn't just thinking; it's a deliberate process of learning from experience, integrating knowledge and cultivating wisdom.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
No takers for 58k vacant seats in PPU, 950 in PU
Patna: Even though the process of admission in the current academic session (2025-26) is almost over in different degree collages of Patna University and Patliputra University, a considerable number of sanctioned seats remained vacant in these colleges. PU students' welfare dean Anil Kumar said, "Nearly 950 of the total sanctioned 4,531 seats in arts, science and commerce streams, are vacant even after the end of the spot round of admissions. Finally, the university has allowed the principals of all these colleges to admit students against vacant seats on their own." Even the colleges could not fill their sanctioned seats in popular courses running under self-financed scheme. These courses include functional English (Patna College and B N College), BCA (B N College, Patna Science College, Magadh Mahila College, and Directorate of Distance Education), BBA (Patna College, B N College, Magadh Mahila College), biotechnology (Patna Science College and B N College), mass communications (Patna College), environmental science (Patna Science College) and social work (Magadh Mahila College). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo "In Patliputra University (PPU), about half of the sanctioned seats are vacant even after three rounds of admissions. There are 1.20 lakh sanctioned seats in undergraduate courses in different constituent and affiliated colleges of PPU, but only about 62,000 students have been admitted against these seats so far," said PPU students' welfare dean Rajeev Ranjan. When asked about the reason of seats remaining vacant in different honours subjects in PU colleges, Patna Science College's former principal S N Guha said that all subjects taught in colleges and universities are not equally popular. "All the seats in some more popular subjects are occupied immediately after the release of merit list, but the seats in less popular subjects are not occupied even after the three or four rounds of admission," he said. PU dean pointed out that most of the vacant seats have been reported in the subjects like Arabic, Persian, Bengali and Maithili. "The university can't compel one to study any particular subject and, hence, the seats in some subjects will remain vacant," he added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
No takers for 62k vacant seats in PPU, 950 in PU
Patna: Even though the process of admission in the current academic session (2025-26) is almost over in different degree collages of Patna University and Patliputra University, a considerable number of sanctioned seats remained vacant in these colleges. PU students' welfare dean Anil Kumar said, "Nearly 950 of the total sanctioned 4,531 seats in arts, science and commerce streams, are vacant even after the end of the spot round of admissions. Finally, the university has allowed the principals of all these colleges to admit students against vacant seats on their own." Even the colleges could not fill their sanctioned seats in popular courses running under self-financed scheme. These courses include functional English (Patna College and B N College), BCA (B N College, Patna Science College, Magadh Mahila College, and Directorate of Distance Education), BBA (Patna College, B N College, Magadh Mahila College), biotechnology (Patna Science College and B N College), mass communications (Patna College), environmental science (Patna Science College) and social work (Magadh Mahila College). "In Patliputra University (PPU), about half of the sanctioned seats are vacant even after three rounds of admissions. There are 1.20 lakh sanctioned seats in undergraduate courses in different constituent and affiliated colleges of PPU, but only about 62,000 students have been admitted against these seats so far," said PPU students' welfare dean Rajeev Ranjan. When asked about the reason of seats remaining vacant in different honours subjects in PU colleges, Patna Science College's former principal S N Guha said that all subjects taught in colleges and universities are not equally popular. "All the seats in some more popular subjects are occupied immediately after the release of merit list, but the seats in less popular subjects are not occupied even after the three or four rounds of admission," he said. PU dean pointed out that most of the vacant seats have been reported in the subjects like Arabic, Persian, Bengali and Maithili. "The university can't compel one to study any particular subject and, hence, the seats in some subjects will remain vacant," he added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Like The Still Hub Of A Spinning Wheel
Sometimes, staying detached is the solution to life's difficult moments. And it can help with not taking others' criticisms personally. Remember, their criticism and harsh words are a reflection of their views and how they are as a person-- and it had nothing to do with you, in most cases. Learn to let go of others' rude comments, and this will save you your mental peace which is more important. The Bhagwad Gita says, "Just as a lamp's flame remains still and unwavering in the absence of wind, so is a yogi's mind fixed on the object of meditation who is united with the Self." In other words, when senses are fully controlled and turned inwards, the mind becomes calm and still, just as the Sun is visible in a tranquil, motionless lake. But when the mind is full of desires and distractions, it is restless and shaky, like a flickering lamp in the wind. We live in a world of movement, sound, form, emotion, and ambition. The mind runs like a chariot led by untamed horses, pulled in every direction. But we need not condemn this mind; rather, understand it, still its restlessness, and transform it into a vessel of Divine awareness. Sit quietly. Let your spine be straight, breathe gently, with your gaze turned inward. The hands rested in chinmudra or jananamudra, symbolic of the union of the individual soul with the universal truth. Let pran settle like the Ganga returning to calm after a storm. Watch, and you will see thoughts emerge and dissolve like waves upon water. Some bring joy, others sorrow, but all pass. And yet, behind all of them, something constant remains: the Witness, Self, Atman. In this state of inner witnessing, you are no longer entangled. You see the mind as it is a tool, not a tyrant. The senses may call you outward, but you no longer leap in response. You remain centred, like the still hub of a spinning wheel. As you inhale and exhale gently, watch the movement of your inner world. Thoughts will rise with memories, plans, and stray feelings. The mind will distract from it; it is natural and born to be in motion. Observe without judgement. Remain the witness, and slowly, your identification with the noise begins to loosen. Life continues to test us with harsh words, insults, and sudden losses. But instead of reacting, pause. Train your mind to respond not from emotion, but from a place of dharm, what is right and not from impulse. Responding with calm clarity is not a weakness; it is a strength. Like a skilled archer who waits for the wind to still before releasing the arrow, the wise wait for their mind to settle before taking action. Let emotions rise, but don't be swept away. Watch them, and then choose your response not from ego or hurt, but from your more profound sense of what is right, your dharm. The Gita says, "Karmanye vadhikaraste, ma phalesu kadachana", you have the right to perform your duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Focus on the action itself rather than the outcome, not becoming attached to results. This is the essence of Karm yog , action born from clarity, not compulsion. The wise one does not seek to escape the world but to elevate it through mindful presence. Silence is not withdrawal, but alignment. Detachment is not denial, but purity of intention. The soul is not void, but a spark of Brahmn, infinite and complete. Practice quieting the mind each day through meditation, not just in silence, but also in the midst of the world's bustle. Whether speaking to a friend, facing criticism, or choosing your daily duties, remain rooted. This is abhyas, practice, combined with vairagya, detachment, twin wings of yog. Authored by: Vijay Hashia Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
