Lord Shiva- the Destroyer of Office Malice

 Those who know me, have been hinting that  I’ve gone a little crazy because of my obsession with spirituality & more so with Lord Shiva.  Not only have I been fascinated with books & stories, but off late realise how brilliantly myths & mythology influence our beliefs & thereby our race. Hence, attempting to link passion with profession- Mythology with Psychology! Fingers crossed.

What exactly is so fascinating about this Mahapurush who is smeared with ash, adorns himself with flesh, a snake & of course the beautiful crescent moon.  Lord Shiva is known as the destroyer, wondered for ages why a God would destroy!  Only now do I realise that He aids is destroying evil at a micro & macro level; thereby restoring order in the world.  At the individual or micro level, in dispelling our negativities- such as fear,  evil, anger & the never-ending list. At the macro level, in helping us deal with insecurity, conniving colleagues, exploiting seniors etc etc.

‘Nataraj’: The destroyer- transformer of cosmic dance in the Hindu tradition.
Shiva means "The Good" God. His third eye, the eye of fire, represents his 
capacity of higher perception. It looks both inward and outward and burns illusions.

This is my first attempt in connecting the role of mythology to our corrupt world.  So, just like a Bollywood movie, this fictitious plot weaved its way in my excited mind! I’m sure we’ve all been through or heard of close one’s go through office politics. The story might seem a little familiar but watch out for the ‘good’ prevailing & also the myth-psych link!

As we most often see in movies, a sweet, smiling, youngster enters the office one gloomy day. She is obviously ever polite to colleagues & seniors (or at least pretends).  Let’s name her ‘Laila’- the sweetypie. As time passes, she becomes the Woman Friday of the Office, doing everything she can or can’t; even doing things which are not really her work. Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she becomes the darling of one and all, as she is ever obliging.  Of course, what the Office doesn’t realise is she is plotting her scheme so brilliantly by cleverly plotting one against the other, yet remaining in the good books of all!

However, her plot is hatched by a smart and no-nonsense officer Meena who senses something foul with her visiting the top Management at the drop of a hat..!! Though, it took Meena awhile to actually believe that folks do go to the cheapest extent for reasons best known to them. Also, pride takes over our dear Laila darling as she tries to oust all the experienced candidates to bring in her own battalion of newbees hailing from Timbaktu. Fortunately, the clients have a great rapport & trust with Meena's Team & insist on working with none other than them.

Meena being a staunch devotee of Shiva believed in doing her work & not getting involved in dirty politics. But, then realising the mess she was being dragged into’ without being aware of the sidyness of people..!! She questioned, fought & finally sought solace in her bestest friend & guardian ‘Lord Shiva’. Like always, He gave her the knowledge to discern what was going beyond the veil & to see through the games and drama. In the mean time, our super smart Laila seems to have lost her buddhi to aham & greed (wonder why..!!). Well, well.. Our good old  Laila dug her own grave due to her  cheekiness & also foolishly left traces of her white collar crime (or should it be crimes). To her shock, the clients & Management showed immense faith & support in Meena, which can only happen by divine grace. Sadly, Laila underestimated the power of hard work, honesty & loyalty. But then, it’s not fair of us to expect such nobility from a person who is self-centred, selfish & narcissistic right?!!

 Meena went untouched but not the ‘clever’ Laila who surely got noticed for all the wrong reasons by all those who matter. As a Senior Manager told Meena, ‘Laila is like a leaf, which sways to the wind’.  I have a feeling that people like Laila would be better off in politics. Not even few years into work & Laila got the distinct reputation of ‘playing games’. We all get what we have sowed. Meena showed more dignity by Silence, which tortured Laila. They both continue to work in the same office but let’s hope both have learnt their respective lessons &  Laila learns better plotting..!!

This is the story of most of our lives right? Whether, we like it or not we have to be prepared to encounter negativity. It’s annoying but such people and situations are tests for growth & aid in moving towards light. If we end up trying to teach the other person a lesson, we might end up like the other & become a pawn in the’ Corporate rat race’. If we only remember there is higher power, the Lord who destroys evil & fear, punishes the wrong-doer & provides justice to those on the right track. He does things in ways we cannot even fathom (for lack of a better word- miracle). If only we’re willing to overcome our fear & trust Him. I have finally learnt to surrender having learnt it the hard way that outcomes are never in our hands & I can’t change the world..!! It offers solace & invokes fearlessness knowing someone much above humans is watching out for me..!! Hopefully, we can transform our lives from darkness to light via Lord Shiva. God Bless You.

Would like to dedicate this post to all the Lailas in my life.. you'll taught me to trust in Him & destroy the evil in me slowly but surely..!!!