Shri RKT

नाभिषेको न संस्कारः सिंहस्य क्रियते वने।
विक्रमार्जितराज्यस्य स्वयमेव मृगेन्द्रता॥

Na abhisheko na samskarah, simhasya kriyate vane,
Vikramarjita rajyasya, svayam eva mrigendrata.

My dear children, come closer and listen to me with attention.

Our Shastras give us a most beautiful Subhashita. In the deep forest, tell me, who performs the abhisheka for the lion? Who anoints him? No pandit comes to do his samskara. No assembly is called to declare him king. Nobody gives him a certificate.

Yet, by his own walk, by his own roar, by his own valour, he becomes the king. He does not wait for permission. He earns his kingdom. Svayam eva Mrigendrata - he himself becomes the lord of all animals.

Now you will ask, what has this to do with you young people? I shall tell you.

Just consider a young man in college. Let us say he has completed his B.A. He has no big family name. His father is not a rich man, not a minister. When he goes for an interview, nobody is waiting with a garland for him.

Many of his friends are waiting - waiting for some uncle to recommend them, waiting for some reservation, waiting for some good luck to make them successful.

But this young man, he does not wait. Like the lion, he gets up early in the morning. He prepares his subjects with great diligence. He learns to speak with clarity. He does some small work, even tuition work, to earn his own bread. He does not complain.

After one year, after two years, people themselves come to him. They say, "You are a worthy fellow." His professors respect him. His juniors seek his advice.

Tell me, who made him great? Did anyone perform his abhisheka? No.

He became respected by his own vikrama, by his own effort. That is the meaning of this shloka.

Therefore, my dear children, do not wait for the world to crown you. Do not wait for titles and positions. Cultivate your own strength, your own character, your own knowledge.

If you do that, the world itself will accept you as its king.

Shri R Krishnan Tatacharya