Importance of Strategy !

I probably use the word strategy in my life more often than most others around me. But I wouldnt know how and from where I picked it up. And there were times I realise that I had wrongly used the word strategy to simply mean 'plans'. Going to Ranganathan street in T Nagar for shopping is a plan. But the plan does not address parking woes. Parking your car at Panagal Park, then walking down or taking an autorickshaw from Panagal Park to Ranganathan st is a strategy.

You see? How easy it is to misuse these two words freely, but they actually mean an entirely different aspect. A strategy can simply mean a successful approach towards a solution. Whereas, a plan can be a broken down view of the strategy.

There were many strategic events in life that I had come across and have defined the way what I am today. And sometimes, it leads me to believe that strategy is nothing but the art of deception. Deceiving an opponent or competition or your own boss or your subordinate. Leading them to believe something that isn't actually what it is. Unfortunately, this is the bitter truth and I can count myself to be an un-strategic person and probably score a grace mark 5/100 in my 'never sat' strategy exam.

I recollect some strategic moves from our own mythology (Ramayana & Mahabaratha) resulting in significant events, and pick such specific instances to explain what can be considered as a strategy. There's not much common between these two, except may be for the presence of Hanuman, Lord Shiva & perhaps Lord Ganesh who appear on either and confuse anyone trying to work out time periods.

If you wear an analytical hat and look at Ramayana, it is nothing but a simple case of abduction. And a reactive, but legitimate, effort to repossess what was stolen. The objectives were very clear from the start. Neither power struggles nor ego clashes. No property disputes. No inheritance troubles. A single hero vs single villain. And thankfully, no side characters (atleast not many). But a very idealistic hero whom most would like to emulate. He approaches the whole mission in a very straightforward way much like he is as a person. No short cuts no tricks and no hideous games. Despite all the simplicity, in my view, the hero struggles to achieve his mission. Moreover, the end result was debated and put to public scrutiny too. With all respect and reverence due, there was nothing strategic about the hero's approach (or so it is being perceived!). But if I were to take sides, I'll certainly stick with him. He is a simple, ideal, uncomplicated and yet a very powerful role model. Grace and glory exemplified.

Now to the main topic - Mahabaratha. A very complex family feud. An ultimate boss. Too many power centres. Too many friends. Too many experts. Too many egos. And also too many complex problems apart from Property, Power and Pride. Despite the multidimensional fracas, the ultimate boss handles all of it with deft and care. Its only symbolical that he reigns the chariot, spins a wheel and plots the next strategy. A brilliant mastermind, capable multitasker, a complex character driving the theme of practicality and above all, he's simply the ultimate boss. Now taking out some leaves out of his power plays :

The art of Chakravyugam, Abhimanyu's death and Arjuna's revenge :
To begin with, you can assume the Chakravyugam to be a spiral formation of one's troops. A specific pattern to protect, defend and eventually liberate and attack. Being an art in itself, not many mastered this technique. But for Arjuna, a few others and perhaps, the 'know-all' ultimate boss. Arjuna explains the art of chakravyugam to Subhadra while Abhimanyu is still in Subhadra's womb. And so Abhimanyu successfully learns how to enter the spiral. But by the time Arjuna explains how to exit the formation, Subhadra had long been asleep and so Abhimanyu never gets to know about the escapes or exits.

During the Kurukshetra war Abhimanyu happens to enter the Chakravyugam formation and eventually dies when he is unable to escape from it. Why the Pandavas were never able to rescue Abhimanyu is just one piece of the puzzle. But it is understood that Abhimanyu happened to be an incarnation of a demon and had to be killed in the kurukshetra war lest he could become mightier than Lord Krishna himself. And it is only too apparent that the 'know-all' ultimate boss carefully crafted the life time of Abhimanyu from being inside the womb till death did him at the battle fields. Hatching such a complex plan laid out with strategic booby traps - who else could achieve with such perfection and finesse?

The other reason why Abhimanyu couldnt be rescued was due to one of the Gauravas called Jayadrata. The Pandavas had long held grudges against Jayadrata and hence this was the moment for him.

Arjuna enraged at the news of Abhimanyu's death, vows to kill Jayadrata the very next day before sunset. And if he couldnt succeed, he promises to throw himself on fire. A highly overambitious expectation.

The Gauravas knew well that the success of war very much hinged on Arjuna and if only they could succeed in keeping Jayadrata alive the next day, they could get rid of Arjuna (through his vow) and thereby win the war. During the next day war Jayadrata is heavily protected. Had it been for our modern day politicians, Jayadrata would have simply been abducted and kept alive in safe confines until the day passed. Jayadrata is also protected by his father's curse that whoever puts his son's head to earth would die too.

With time running out the next day and the sun about to set anytime, Lord Krishna himself spins his magic (once again!) to make the sun disappear momentarily. His chakra would now block the sun and make it dark much to the enchantment of the Gauravas who now believe that the day has ended and lay down their arms. While they celebrate the moment, Krishna pulls out his chakra and Jayadrata is now caught glaring like a rabbit in front of full beam trucks on a dark road. Arjuna seizes the moment, slices off Jayadrata's head and makes it fall on Jayadrata's father's lap who by now is in deep prayer. Having been disturbed during his prayer he rises up only to let his son's head fall down. Father-son duo dead. Arjuna emerges victorious and the ultimate boss's deception, strategy and master plan all work perfectly. A superb plot, cast and climax.

How on earth can one conceive such complex happenings? Synchronising the chain of several events and make them happen like falling dominoes. Its like firing one bullet and killing 200 birds. Well, that's Lord Krishna, the ultimate boss. If only one could strategise like he does, then I am sure, they'll certainly be a modern day genius.

But for me, although I am amused by such photo finish actions falling in place, I would always prefer the simplistic and straightforward approach of our Ramayana's hero.

Disclaimer: It is not my intention to weigh up/down on different deighties. I merely intend to highlight the importance of strategy in one's life, its existence and use since mythology. Use strategy at your own risk.

Some of my understanding comes from reading mythology in my childhood days, versions of Ramayana and many Bhavan's journal books. It is quite possible that my understanding has got distorted over time, and my ability to to fathom events and condense all of it in one page may be far from perfect.