Ankit’s Journey: Learning from Sanjaya’s Wisdom

The Story of Ankit and Her Struggles

Ankit was a brilliant young journalist working for a reputed media house. She had always been passionate about uncovering the truth and presenting unbiased facts to society. However, as she climbed the ranks in the industry, she found herself in a dilemma. The organization she worked for had a hidden agenda—its narratives were often influenced by political and corporate interests.

Ankit knew that some of the stories she was told to report did not align with the truth. Yet, she was bound by her loyalty to her employer. Walking away was not an option—her financial responsibilities and years of hard work made it impossible. Torn between her ethical responsibilities and professional obligations, Ankit felt lost.

One day, she stumbled upon the story of Sanjaya from the Mahabharata. His journey resonated deeply with her, and she saw parallels between his situation and her own. Sanjaya, despite serving the blind king Dhritarashtra—who supported the unjust Kauravas—chose to stay loyal while never actively harming anyone. He used his divine ability to narrate the Bhagavad Gita to the world, ensuring that the teachings of Lord Krishna would guide future generations. Inspired by his wisdom, Ankit decided to find her own path within the system.

The Story of Sanjaya

Sanjaya (Sanskrit: सञ्जय, meaning “victory”) is a key character in the epic Mahabharata. During the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, Sanjaya served as the trusted advisor and charioteer to King Dhritarashtra, the blind ruler of Hastinapura and the father of the Kauravas. A devoted disciple of Sage Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, Sanjaya remained loyal to Dhritarashtra, offering counsel and guidance. A brief synopsis of the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita from my earlier blog can be found here.

Sanjaya’s primary role in the Mahabharata was that of a commentator. Blessed with divine vision by Vyasa, he had the extraordinary ability to witness events on the battlefield without being physically present. Through his narration, Dhritarashtra remained informed about the Kurukshetra war. It is also through Sanjaya’s account that we learn how Lord Krishna imparted the wisdom of Dharma (duty) to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.

At the onset of the war, Arjuna faced a moral and emotional crisis. Overcome with sorrow and uncertainty, he cast aside his weapons and collapsed onto his chariot, unable to reconcile his duty as a warrior with the thought of fighting his own kin. Lost in despair, he admitted that he saw no solution to his inner turmoil.

Seeking guidance, Arjuna turned to Krishna, who urged him to fulfill his duty as a warrior and uphold Dharma through selfless action. Krishna led Arjuna from the darkness of avidya (ignorance) to the enlightenment of jnana (wisdom). Once Arjuna’s doubts and illusions were dispelled, his transformation is beautifully captured in this śloka from the 18th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita:

Arjuna said:"O infallible one, by your grace, my illusion has been dispelled, and I am now established in knowledge. My doubts are gone, and I shall act according to your instructions."

At this point, Sanjaya shifts from being a mere narrator to sharing his own reflections. It is worth noting that Sanjaya speaks in forty-one ślokas of the Bhagavad Gita, primarily offering battlefield commentary and relaying Krishna and Arjuna’s dialogue to Dhritarashtra. However, from this śloka onward, he provides his personal insights—marking the beginning of your own journey of learning and understanding.

Ankit’s Transformation

Ankit realized that, like Sanjaya, she could remain in her position without compromising her integrity. She decided to document the truth in a way that would eventually reach people, even if she could not directly challenge the system.

Instead of blindly following orders, she learned the art of active listening, just as Sanjaya had. She paid close attention to different perspectives, gathering information that could be valuable in the long run.

She practiced gratitude, recognizing that despite the limitations of her job, she had a platform that could be used wisely.

Most importantly, she embraced continuous learning. She began writing under a pseudonym, publishing unbiased articles and reports that educated people beyond the mainstream narratives.

Sanjaya teaches us that one can remain loyal without being complicit in wrongdoing. Integrity does not always require open rebellion—sometimes, it lies in using one's position wisely to serve a higher purpose. Ankit’s story reminds us that even when trapped in difficult situations, we can find ways to uphold dharma through wisdom, patience, and perseverance.