By Shashi Narasimhiah

Jaya and Vijaya are both very common names and we often use these as words to describe victory. But, if both words mean victory, then what is the difference between Jaya and Vijaya?

The following mythological story from the last chapter of Mahabharata – “Swarga Ahu Nika Parva” as narrated by the noted Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik may help us understand the deeper meaning of the two words, the vital difference between them, their relevance in today’s life and how we can benefit from that understanding.

After the famous war of Mahabharata, after vanquishing the Kouravas and after ruling the kingdom from its capital of Hastinapur for 36 years, the Pandavas reach the end of their life on Earth with Yudhishtira   being the last one arriving at the gates of heaven. At the gate, to his utter surprise, the first thing Yudhishtira sees are the hundred Kouravas already in heaven. Yudhishtira has given up his kingdom, his wealth, his decorations, his jewellery, his cows, his brothers and even his wife and he doesn’t even look back as he arrives at the gates of heaven. He is the magnanimous man who has relinquished everything. But as he sees the Kouravas in heaven, he becomes furious. He asks how these traitors and murderers are granted entry into and a life in heaven? And then, when he doesn’t see his own family, he asks – where are the Pandava brothers? Where is Panchali?

Why are the Kouravas in heaven and the Pandava brothers and Panchali not there? Good question. There are different interpretations on that – let us set that aside for now since that is not the subject of this article.

As Yudhishtira is seething in anger, the Gods question him – Yudhishtira, Why are you so angry? Yudhishtira expresses that the Gods are being unfair because the Kouravas, being the villains, have no business to be in heaven. The Gods tell Yudhishtira – you have fought and killed all of the Kouravas, you have taken the kingdom, ruled the kingdom for 36 years and on your way here, you claim to have given up everything, but why have you not given up your anger and hatred? If you can’t purge yourself of that anger, hatred, vengeance and grudge within you, if you are unable to forgive, then what exactly have you actually given up? Why should entry to heaven be granted to you?

Shedding one’s own anger, hatred, vengeance, grudge and developing forgiveness, compassion and empathy towards others – that is “Jaya” which means Victory over the animal in oneself. Despite his reputation as being very learned and wise, Yudhishtira, is unable to display that empathy, compassion and concern for others in testing times like this. He is unable to forgive the villains despite what they did in the past and where they might be now. The Gods are believed to have argued with Yudhishtira that he is no different to an animal and the Gods further argued that Yudhistira, despite relinquishing everything on his away to heaven has failed to achieve “Jaya” although he might only have achieved “external” victory over others which is defined as “Vijaya”.

What is more relevant to humankind? Achieving victory over the animal in oneself – Jaya or vanquishing others – Vijaya?

In ancient India the king sat on the lion throne. The meaning of this being – the king is expected to be “above” the lion and “Outgrow” the lion (meaning the animal) in himself to be able to achieve Jaya. The lion here is symbolic of the desire to be the Alfa-Male and dominate the society. Being the King is not about “Vijaya” – defeating the other Alfa-Males who are wary of this King, but, it is all about achieving“Jaya” – conquering the inner animal which enables the king NOT to be another Duryodhana who was not prepared to give up his rouge habits and even an inch of his territory. The king who achieves Jaya does not aim to vanquish others and impose a rule of his will, but would facilitate progress, generation and distribution of wellbeing and wealth among the subjects.

Now switching to Ramayana, this exact attribute of Jaya makes Lord Rama the greatest king that ever lived and this is what we all bow down to. Lord Rama never grudged and hated his step mother for sending him to the forest and after he regained the throne, he gave up (abandoned) even his own family to be the King his subjects wanted him to be – regardless of whether it was right or wrong from Sita’s point of view.

About 5000 years later, all the way to the current day KaliYuga which is believed to have commenced at around 3100 BC after the Mahabharata War ended and after Lord Krishna decided to take a different Avatar, the basic principles of life hasn’t changed!! In a very different context, the principles of Jaya-Vijaya can be seen in the behavioural patterns of various personalities and entities and those who exhibit the traits of Jaya are cherished and celebrated. Even the concept of Democracy (rule for and by the people) embraces the Jaya concept. Why does a democratic government exist? Is it for the head of the government to be the Alpha-male lording over the people, getting them to obey their oppressive rule and subjecting them to hardships (like the British did in occupied India)? Why do businesses and enterprises exist? Despite growth and profit being the primary drivers, is the only objective of a business entity to build up wealth for themselves regardless of the means and the consequences? The answers are obvious. These political, corporate and even military entities and leaders exist to enable their generation to make the world a better place, leave a better world for the next generation.Undoubtedly, only those who have worked towards this or actually achieved this outcome are recognised, remembered and cherished.

In my work place too where we are mandated to implement the policies of the Government, when a landmark project of any type is being conceptualised, developed and planned, in very different context, demonstration of the principles of Jaya can be seen in full view. The fundamental questions that are addressed are – what benefit does a new project or product achieve for the people, what legacy does this new development leave behind for the current and future generations, what risks the current and future generations are going to be exposed to and how to mitigate them? Despite many potential misjudgements, errors, even blunders in doing so, the intent is beyond reproach.

Could there just be another good reason why our national anthem penned by Rabindranath Tagore ends with “Jaya hey Jaya Hey Jaya Hey…. Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey”…. And not “Vijay hey….”? Some food for thought – don’t you think?

Trivia: According to Devdatt Pattnaik the original name of Mahabharata is Jaya. The story this chapter of Mahabharata being the last is described as.