MBA – The Degree Every Devotee Must Master🎊
Inspired by the wonderful lecture given by our Shiksha Guru Hg Yugal Prem prabhu ji 🙏
When we hear the word MBA, we usually think of Master of Business Administration, a degree that helps a person succeed in the material world.
But in spiritual life, there is another MBA that every devotee must learn to master:
M – Mun (Mind) B – Buddhi (Intelligence) A – Ahankar (False Ego)
The scriptures explain that these three influence all our thoughts, decisions, and actions. If they are uncontrolled, they pull us away from Krishna. When they are purified and engaged in Krishna’s service, they become our greatest allies on the path of bhakti.
M – Mun (Mind)🙂
The mind is the center of desires, emotions, likes, and dislikes. One moment it wants one thing; the next moment it wants something else. Therefore, the mind is often compared to an uncontrolled horse.
A powerful example is Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra. Seeing his relatives, teachers, and friends before him, his mind became overwhelmed with grief and confusion. He wanted to abandon his duty and leave the battlefield.
At that moment, Arjuna did not blindly follow his disturbed mind. He surrendered to Krishna and heard the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. By accepting Krishna’s guidance, his mind became steady and he engaged himself in the Lord’s service.
Lesson: The mind may become disturbed, but when it is guided by Krishna’s instructions, it becomes peaceful and purposeful.
B – Buddhi (Intelligence)🙂
Buddhi is our power of discrimination—the ability to determine what is right and wrong, beneficial and harmful.
A beautiful example is Dhruva Maharaj. Initially, his intelligence was influenced by material desire. He performed severe austerities because he wanted a kingdom greater than that of his father and grandfather.
However, when Lord Vishnu appeared before him, his intelligence became purified. Dhruva realized that he had been seeking temporary rewards while standing before the Supreme Lord Himself.
He famously compared his previous desire to searching for broken pieces of glass when he had obtained a priceless jewel.
Lesson: Material intelligence seeks temporary gain; purified intelligence seeks eternal service to Krishna.
A – Ahankar (False Ego)🙂
False ego makes us think, “I am the controller,” “I am the enjoyer,” or “Everything should happen according to my desire.”
An inspiring example is Prithu Maharaj.
Prithu Maharaj had successfully completed ninety-nine Ashvamedha sacrifices and was about to perform the hundredth. Out of envy and pride, Indra repeatedly disrupted the sacrifice by stealing the horse.
Prithu Maharaj had every reason to become angry and insist on completing the hundredth sacrifice for his glory and reputation. Yet, when the Lord advised him not to continue the conflict, he gave up the desire for prestige and accepted the Lord’s will.
He chose pleasing the Lord over increasing his own fame.
Lesson: False ego says, “My prestige must be protected.” Pure devotion says, “Let Krishna be pleased.”
The Real MBA
As conditioned souls, we experience the same struggles every day.
The mind pulls us toward distractions. The intelligence becomes covered by selfish desires. The false ego demands recognition and control.
Yet the lives of Arjuna, Dhruva Maharaj, and Prithu Maharaj show us that these obstacles can be overcome.
The goal is not to destroy the mind, intelligence, or ego, but to purify them:
* Let the mind think of Krishna. * Let the intelligence choose Krishna. * Let the ego transform into the identity: “I am Krishna’s servant.”
That is the real MBA every devotee must master—not Master of Business Administration, but mastery over Man, Buddhi, and Ahankar.
