Don’t be a Ravana with multiple intelligences. Become a Rama with a single human quality: Wisdom
I just wrote a Medium article on why we should focus not just on developing multiple intelligences but also on cultivating a single human quality: WISDOM.
After posting this, I realize the Hindu mythology Ramayana perfectly conveys the effectiveness of applying Wisdom over wielding Multiple Intelligences
(I use deliberately the word “wielding” as in wielding … arms !)
In Ramayana, the villain Ravana prayed Shiva to acquire multiple intelligences: he gained insights into the deep secrets of all Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and he mastered all martial arts.
Ravana is depicted as a giant with 10 heads which represent his vast multi-form intelligence and multiple hands wielding numerous powerful weapons
In other words, Ravana is depicted visually as a SUPER-HUMAN being
Conversely, Rama, despite his divine nature, is depicted as a “mere mortal” — a human being with a single head and just two arms like all us.
Ravana applied his multiple intelligences indiscriminately without prudence. Hence, he “wasted” his smart superpowers as he lacked discernment.
If you look at Rama, he does possess one weapon: the Bow and Arrows.
The Bow and Arrows are the symbol of Wisdom.
In Buddhist lore, the goddess Manjushri holds high a Sword — which represents Wisdom.
Manjushri uses her Sword to cut through Maya (illusion) and reveal the true (Buddha) nature of your Being.
Akin to this Sword, you can apply your innate wisdom to differentiate what is Real and what is Unreal.
Just like Manjusri’s Sword, Rama’s Bow and Arrows symbolize discernment, the most important expression of wisdom.
Rama makes use of his Bow sparingly, only when needed.
And he wastes no arrows: every arrow projected from his Bow hits its target without mistake.
The multiple arrows that Rama carries represent the multiple intelligences.
The Bow represents the Wisdom.
Like Rama, we must use our Wisdom to apply our intelligence(s) with great discernment only when/where needed.
