Lessons from Karna, Vibhishana, and Atomic Habits: The Importance of Habits in Personal Growth

Once upon a time, there was a man named Karna who faced countless struggles from the day he was born. He didn’t know his parents, and was constantly reminded of his low caste and orphan status. But despite all this, Karna had a heart full of kindness and generosity.

After many hardships, Karna’s fortune changed when the powerful Duryodhana helped him gain a kingdom. However, Karna soon realized that respect and admiration could not be gained through the kingdom alone. He thought that the only way people would come to him was if he gave them things. So, he began to give generously, and this became his habit, his way of life.

One day, the great Lord Krishna showed two towering mountains of gold to Karna and the Pandavas, challenging them to prove who was the greatest donor in the world. Arjuna and Bheem, the Pandavas, used their weapons to blast and break the gold mountains into small pieces, and then shared them with everyone who passed by. They felt proud of their good deed.

But when Krishna asked Karna about his share of the gold, Karna replied, “Krishna, I gave the whole mountain to a poor person who was in dire need.” Krishna pointed out that Karna had donated the entire mountain without hesitation, while the others had given only a portion. Karna’s heart was so full of kindness that he didn’t even think twice about giving everything he had to someone in need.

Karna’s story is a shining example of how a simple habit can make a massive impact. His unbreakable determination to give generously, even in the face of adversity, earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him. Karna’s generosity knew no bounds and he was able to give away the entire mountain of gold without hesitation. This remarkable feat left the Pandavas, who had given only a portion of the gold, in awe of his selflessness. Karna’s unwavering habit of giving truly made him one of the greatest donors the world has ever seen, and his story continues to inspire us to be more compassionate and generous towards others.

“Sattva-samshuddhih tat-tapah, kaaryakaaryam-a-vyabhicharee” (Bhagavad Gita 18.26)

This verse highlights the importance of purity of action. It states that one should perform one’s duties with steadfastness, without being influenced by the results of the action. Such a disciplined approach leads to the purification of the mind and is considered to be in the mode of goodness.

Vibhishan’s Habbit from Ramayana

Close your eyes and imagine a land filled with magic and wonder, where good and evil are constantly at war. This is the land of the Ramayana, where heroes and villains clash in epic battles.

In this land, there was a demon king named Ravana, who ruled over a vast kingdom with an iron fist. His younger brother, Vibhishana, was unlike him in every way. Vibhishana was kind, compassionate, and always followed his moral compass.

One day, Ravana committed a heinous act: he abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, one of the greatest heroes of all time. Vibhishana knew that his brother’s actions were wrong, and he could not stand by and watch. So he decided to leave his kingdom and go to Lord Rama to offer his assistance in defeating Ravana.

When he arrived, Lord Rama was initially hesitant to trust Vibhishana, knowing that he was part of Ravana’s kingdom. However, Vibhishana’s sincerity and kindness soon won him over, and Lord Rama welcomed him with open arms.

Vibhishana fought alongside Lord Rama and his allies, demonstrating his bravery and compassion in battle. He helped Lord Rama to defeat Ravana and rescue Sita, restoring peace to the land.

In the end, Vibhishana’s habit of kindness and morality proved to be more powerful than the cruelty and tyranny of his brother. His actions not only helped to defeat evil but also earned him the respect and admiration of Lord Rama and his followers.

“ஒரு பழமை பெற்றுக் கொள்ளவே மனத்தை பரிசுத்தமாக வைக்கும் விபீஷணனே” (Verse 7.61.21 in Kamban Ramayana)

Translation: “Vibishana, who acquired a good habit, purified his mind.”

This verse refers to Vibishana, the younger brother of Ravana, who is known for his virtuous character and is considered a symbol of righteousness in the Ramayana. According to the story, Vibishana chose to leave his evil brother’s side and join Rama’s army, as he believed that Rama’s cause was just and righteous. This decision shows that Vibishana had formed a habit of choosing the right path and making good decisions, which eventually led to his becoming a good person.

This verse emphasizes the importance of forming good habits, as they can shape our character and lead to a virtuous and pure mind. In the context of habit-forming benefits, this verse teaches us that small actions taken consistently over time can lead to significant positive changes in our lives. By consciously choosing to form good habits, we can cultivate a mindset of righteousness and purity, just like Vibishana did.

Power of Habits

So remember, dear friend, that your habits and actions can shape your character and influence the world around you. Choose kindness, compassion, and morality, and you will leave a lasting impact on those around you.

Habits are an essential part of our daily lives, and they play a significant role in shaping our character and determining our success. In his book “Atomic Habits,” author James Clear states, “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. The same way that money multiplies through compound interest, the effects of your habits multiply as you repeat them.”

Furthermore, according to behavioral scientist BJ Fogg, there are three elements required to create a habit: motivation, ability, and a trigger. Motivation refers to the reason why we want to perform the habit, ability refers to the ease of performing the habit, and a trigger is an event that initiates the habit.

The stories of Karna and Vibhishana from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, respectively, teach us about the power of habits and their role in shaping our character. The principles outlined in James Clear’s book “Atomic Habits” further reinforce the importance of habits in personal growth and success.

By cultivating positive habits, we can become better versions of ourselves and make a positive impact on the world around us. Remember, dear friend, that every action you take and every habit you form has the power to influence your life and the lives of those around you. So choose your habits wisely, and let them guide you towards a better tomorrow.