Three Dimensions of Personality

What is "Personality?". Dictionary gives different meanings to this word. "The visible aspects of one's character as it impresses others", is one of them. "A person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities", is another. In psychology, it is defined as "the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional and social characteristics of an individual" or "the organized pattern of behavioural characteristics of an individual". Thus the various components that are common in defining personality can be collectively summarised in a single word "Character". There is a oft quoted proverb in English. "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, everything is lost". This sums up the importance of character in a person's life. 

Ancient Indian texts and literature have extensively dealt with the various dimensions of "Personality". They provide a three layered or three dimensional view of personality. A person may not be as he or she appears at first sight. First sight does indeed make an impact on others. It is often said that first impression is the best impression. Though this is true to a certain extent, we know by experience that this is not always the case. We hear people exclaim that a person is far deeper than what he appeared at first sight. This impression at first sight is known as "Roopa" (रूप). The nearest English word for Roopa is "Form". This is the first level of a person's personality. It takes time to realise the deeper impact of a personality. This understanding of finer aspects of a person's behavioural traits is called "Sheela" (शील). This "Sheela" is close to the word "Character" in English. Long periods of close association with a person opens up further layers of personality. This very finer and inner behavioural aspects is called "Maadhurya" (माधुर्य). We do not reach this level of understanding with most of the people we interact with. Nearest English word for Maadhurya is "Melody".

This combination of Roopa, Sheela and Maadhurya (or Form, Character and Melody) is what embodies "Personality" of any given person. Roopa can be changed temporarily by various aids. Sheela is more sterner stuff and change is very difficult to bring about. Maadhurya forms the inner core of the personality of a person. 

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Prahlada was anointed as the King of the Daityas after his father Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Vishnu by taking the incarnation of Narasimha. Prahlada ruled his kingdom with fairness and justice to all subjects. His was a wonderful period and there was peace and prosperity everywhere. Lord Indra who ruled over the upper worlds knew that he would not be able to hold on to his throne any longer. He voluntarily surrendered his throne to Prahlada. Prahlada now became the undisputed ruler of all the worlds. This status continued for a considerably long time.

Lord Indra was now keen on getting back his throne. He was aware that the usual methods he used earlier in similar situations would be ineffective against Prahlada. There was no way of defeating him now. He went to his Guru Brihaspati and sought his advice. Brihaspati told Indra that he should better approach the Guru of the Daityas, Shukracharya, as he may know some secret of Prahlada that would help defeat him. Shukracharya knew the reason for which Indra approached him. But he was helpless due the humble path chosen by Indra while approaching him. Time spent with Shukracharya as his disciple was no doubt useful, but it did not throw any light on the methods to be used to defeat Prahlada. On a day when Shukracharya was very pleased with the devotion of Indra, Indra sought the secret of Prahlada's success. Shukracharya told Indra that he had taught him everything he knew. If he desired something more, he should approach Prahlada himself, he advised.

Indra had no alternative but to approach Prahlada. He took the form of a Rishi and went to Prahlada. Prahlada received the Rishi form of Indra and treated him with full respect. When Indra told Prahlada that he has come to learn from him, Prahlada advised him that he may not be able to teach him as he was busy with the management of the worlds under his control as a King. Indra persuaded him to teach him at his leisure and he was ready to spend any amount of time needed for learning. Prahlada taught many things to Indra in due course.

Prahlada was very happy with the devotion showed by Indra. On a convenient day, Indra asked Prahlada what was the secret of his success and invincibility. Prahlada told thus: "My success comes from my character. I have full control over my senses and body at all times. This ensures good behaviour with all at all times. Good character is the source of all strength and means for all success." 

Pleased with Indra's dedication, Prahlada gave a boon to Indra and asked him to seek anything he had with him. Indra asked Prahlada to give him the character that was his strong point. Having agreed to give anything he had, Prahlada was now bound to part with his character. Prahlada felt a bout of weakness as a bright form of light deserted and went behind Indra. His character had deserted him. Following the character many other virtues left him as well; good conduct, piousness, truth etc. Godess Lakshmi also left him. When asked by Prahlada as to why she was also leaving him, Lakshmi said that she and all others who left him were bound by good character. When he has given away his character, it was as good as giving away all other virtues including his prosperity.

Prahlada was now very weak and without his character he was like an empty shell. It was time for him to leave the body. He left the physical body and moved to the heavenly abode.

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This story of Prahlada, from the Mahabharata, sums up the importance of character as an important dimension of Personality. Roopa, Sheela and Maadhurya or Form, Character and Melody are the three dimensions of a person's personality.

Nowadays, the word Sheela (शील) is used in a limited sense, to mean "Chastity". Sheela or Character is required for everybody. Anything done by a person in the comity of other respected persons that makes them to feel ashamed is devoid of Sheela. A behaviour that befits upholding of dignity in public and private life is Sheela or Character. Many actions may bring temporary appreciation or applause in gatherings. But if the action does not befit a person of good character, it deserves to be condemned.

Now the saying makes perfect sense; When character is lost, everything is lost.  

Knowledge and Experience

Bheeshma was lying on the bed of arrows in the middle of Kurukshetra battlefield. The arrows that had pierced his body were shot at him by by his own grandson, Arjuna. Bheeshma was blessed with the boon of choosing the time of his death. Bheeshma decided to wait on the bed of arrows for some more time, however painful it were, before welcoming his death and renounce the physical body.

Bheeshma's entire life was a web of curses and a boon. Many curses combined together behind this one boon to dictate the events in his life. Some of these curses were taking shape even before his birth itself! Considered as one of the foremost warriors of his era, he was witness to many events during his life time. While lying on the bed of arrows, he reflected on the events of his life and the reasons for which he had to face the long wait. Two reasons are given for his long wait.

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Lord Brahma was taking a walk along the seashore. Lord Varuna, Lord of the ocean, suddenly came up with big waves and sprayed water on him. Brahma became enraged, told him to calm down and said - Shanto Bhava - (शान्तो भव). Coupled with this, there was another curse on him and Ganga, the divine river. During a celebration in the court of Lord Indra, he was continuously staring at Ganga when her shoulder garment was blown away by the wind while all others looked elsewhere. Ganga was also staring at him. Brahma cursed them to be born on earth and live as man and wife. Varuna took birth as Shantanu, a name derived from the first curse. He met Ganga and asked her to be his wife. Ganga accepted on the condition that he would not question her on any of her actions. The day he questions her, she would be free to dissolve the marriage and go away. The two curses brought them together on the earth as Shantanu and Ganga.

Eight brothers, known as Ashta (eight) Vasus, went to the hermitage of Sage Vasishta. They were well looked after by the sage and treated with all comforts despite living in the forest. The Vasus learnt that all this was due to a sacred cow in the custody of the sage. The youngest brother was tempted by his wife to take away the cow from the sage. Other seven brothers assisted him. The sage cursed them to be born on the earth. The eight brothers repented and begged the sage's mercy. The sage somewhat relented and reduced the rigour of the curse for the seven brothers who only assisted in the attempted crime. They would be born on earth, but get released immediately due to their death, he said. The last brother who was the main offender would however have to lead a full life on earth, he insisted. These eight brothers were born as the sons of Shantanu and Ganga.

As soon as a child was born, Ganga would take it and throw it in the river. Shantanu could not question her as per their arrangement arrived at before the marriage. Seven sons were thus killed. When the eighth son was born, Shantanu could not hold back and stopped Ganga from the child being thrown in the river. Ganga handed over this eighth son, named Devavrata, to Shantanu, dissolved the marriage and left. 

Devavrata was educated by many a stalwarts; he was a student of Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas, Shukracharya, the Guru of the Demons, Sages Vasishta, Chyavana and Markandeya. He learnt the secrets of archery and warfare from Lord Parashurama. He became a treasure of knowledge and the most learned man of his time.

Meanwhile Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, the daughter of Daasha Raja. Daasha Raja was agreeable to offer her in marriage but wanted her son to succeed Shantanu as the King. Devavrata being the elder son was now standing between the marriage and the throne. Shantanu did not want to deny Devavrata's rights. But Devavrata found the reason for his father's sadness and persuaded Daasha Raja for the marriage. He told Daasha Raja that he would forego his claim to the throne and Satyavati's son would be the King. Daasha Raja was not satisfied with this offer. What would happen if Devavrata's children claimed the throne in due course? Devavrata went a step further. He promised Daasha Raja that he would never marry and remain a bachelor for the rest of his life! This removed the final hurdle and Satyavati married Shantanu. Devavrata was now known as "Bheeshma" due to his vow to remain a bachelor for the rest of his time and defend the Hastinapur throne as a dedicated protector.

Bheeshma was now tied to the Hastinapur throne by his own vow. He abducted three daughters of the King of Kashi to get them married to his step brother Vichitraveerya. Eldest of them, Amba, was in love with another King, Salva, and therefore was released by Bheeshma. Salva refused to marry her after the abduction. She returned and demanded that Bheeshma marry her. Bheeshma cited his vow and refused. Amba went to Bheeshma's Guru Parushurama and sought his help. Having refused the Guru's advice to marry her due to his vow, Bheeshma had to reluctantly fight his own Guru Parushurama. After more than three weeks of fighting, it was declared as a draw. Amba now took birth as Shikhandi with the sole goal of becoming the reason for Bheeshma's death. Arjuna used Shikhandi as a shield and felled Bheeshma on the bed of arrows.

Lying on the bed of arrows, Bheeshma was reviewing all happenings in his life. Karna had the sympathy of all for his misfortune, but his own misfortune was far greater than that of Karna. He could not even breathe his last as there was one more duty that he had to perform.

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What are the two reasons for his long wait on the bed of arrows? First reason given is that he waited for Uttarayana Punyakala, the time when the Sun starts his journey northwards. The second reason given is that he had to wait for the conclusion of the war and satisfy himself that the throne of Hastinapur was safe. Both were minor reasons. The belief that those who die in Uttarayana alone go to heaven is not true. Reaching heaven or hell is purely dependant on ones own deeds during the life time. Only the paths traced for the onward journey during Uttarayana and Dakshinayana are different and it does not affect the final destination. Otherwise half the people can never reach heaven as they die in Dakshinayana. As regards safety of the throne, it was well known that Pandavas would ultimately win the war and Yudhishtira would occupy the throne at the conclusion of the war. This being the case what was the real secret behind Bheeshma's long wait?

Once the war is concluded and Yudhishtira is anointed as the King, Krishna brings the new King and his brothers to Kurukshetra battlefield to meet Bheeshma. Bheeshma recites "Vishnu Sahasranaama" and seeks Krishna's permission to welcome his death. The discussion between Bheeshma and Krishna goes thus:

"Pitamah (Grandfather), you are the treasure house of all knowledge in the world. There is no other person on this earth who has amassed the amount of knowledge as you have done. The list of your Gurus itself is a testimony to this. You have one real reason for holding your life till now. Your exemplary knowledge should not go waste. King Yudhishtira is the right person to receive this treasure. Please advise him urgently when you are still here".

"Krishna, when you are yourself present here and advising Pandavas, who am I to advise Yudhishtira?"

"I may have the knowledge. I do not have your experience. Mere knowledge is not enough. Experience is equally valuable. Furthermore, your knowledge and experience should pass on especially to your successors in the family. Please pass on your knowledge and experience to him before you embrace your death".

Bheeshma duly obliged and advised Yudhishtira at length. His advice is recorded in the latter part of Mahabharata. Once the duty was completed, he renounced the human body and concluded his life's journey.

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This has a great lesson for all of us. Knowledge is indeed important. Experience is equally important. Knowledge and experience are to be passed on to the next generation. That ensures continuity. And thus life goes on.....