Catalytic Leadership

In this fifth article in the series of "Catalytic Leadership", we will see about "Learning".

Learning is inevitable for all. It does not end with the school or university. As Mark Twain said, "Don’t let schooling interfere with your education".

In everyone’s life, there’s a lot to learn as the famous Tamil poet Avvaiyar said

"கற்றது கை மண் அளவு கல்லாதது உலகளவு"

"Katradhu Kai Mann Alavu Kallaadhadhu Ulagalavu"

Meaning, "What one has learned is like a handful of sand, but what is yet to be learned is the size of the world"

Learning is so important that it serves as a guiding beacon for everyone. A small story!

In a bus stop, there was a blind old man. Whenever a bus arrived, he asked the person standing nearby, "Sir, could you please tell me where this bus is going to?"

This went on for a few buses, and suddenly the blind man heard voice of another old-man nearby asking the same question he has been asking.

The blind old-man felt pity on the other old-man went near him and asked. "Sir, I heard you asking about the buses, are you blind as well?"

The other old-man replied, "No Sir, I can’t read!"

Therefore, a man without learning and a blind-man are on the same scale.

That is the importance of learning, as Thiruvalluvar says in Thirukkural

"கண்ணுடையர் என்பவர் கற்றோர் முகத்திரண்டு
புண்ணுடையர் கல்லா தவர்." (393)

"Kannudaiyar Enbavar Kattror Mugaththirandu
Punnudaiyar Kallaadhavar"

Meaning, The learned are said to have eyes, but the unlearned have (merely) two sores on their face.

One of the things that never stops till the one meets the grave is learning. This is more aptly and concisely portrayed by Thiruvalluvar

"யாதானும் நாடாமால் ஊராமால் என்னொருவன்
சாந்துணையுங் கல்லாத வாறு." (397)

"Yaadhaanum Naadaamaal Ooraamaal Ennoruvan
Saanthunaiyum Kallaadha Vaaru"

Meaning, "How is it that any one can remain without learning, even to his death? Where, to the learned man, every country is his own country, and every town his own town."

Or simply, as an old saying goes.

"பாடை ஏறினும் ஏடது கைவிடேல்"

"Paadai Yaerinum Yaedadhu Kaividael"

Meaning, "Even if getting on the deathbed, one should not give up the learning"

Even today, in some villages in India, there is a practice where if a person dies, the body is dressed up well, decorated with flowers and then a small book is placed in the hands of the body. Though the person when alive does not know how to read or write. Thiruvalluvar gives the reason for this practice

"ஒருமைக்கண் தான்கற்ற கல்வி ஒருவற்கு எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து." (398)

"Orumaikkann Thaan Katra Kalvi Oruvarukku Ezhumaiyum Emaapu Udaiththu"

meaning, "The knowledge and learning one has gained in one life will protect the person in all the rebirths they take

So, the practice in the village, is to indicate that the person has learned in this birth and let that learning protect that person in their rebirths. That's the importance people gave to education and knowledge.

Catalytic leaders understand this very well. They always learn and also make the people around them learn.

Image Credits: Pixabay

Catalytic Leadership - Learning

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