UdyamGita

Arjuna openly talks about his mental state. He does not hide anything from Krishna. He is not ashamed to express his emotions. He openly shows his vulnerability to Krishna because he knows that when he is true to himself and shares his pain, Krishna will be there to support him and guide him.

For business owners, many times it is a lonely journey. That is why it is always good to have a mentor who is not directly involved in running your business, but who has clear understanding of every aspect of it. Find a mentor who listens to you, does not judge you, guides you, and encourages you to do the right thing. A mentor can clearly point out gaps and possible ways to fix them, without hesitating to speak openly with you. A mentor should have the maturity to handle your emotional ups and downs and still respect you for your core skills and achievements.

Do not rely only on friends and colleagues to help you deal with emotional issues. They are important, but they usually focus only on the immediate problem. A mentor, on the other hand, focuses on your growth, helps you meet or exceed your goals, and guides you toward a brighter future. Being vulnerable in front of your mentor can do wonders for your career.

As Arjuna looks upon his own kinsmen prepared to destroy one another, the impact is no longer intellectual—it is physical. His limbs weaken. His mouth dries. His body trembles. His hair stands on end.

Arjuna does not mask these symptoms. He openly describes his inner collapse to Krishna. There is no attempt to appear brave, composed, or heroic. This is raw honesty at the edge of action.

Business Insight

Leadership is often lonely—especially at decisive moments.

Founders and business owners frequently experience intense emotional and physical stress when facing hard choices: layoffs, pivots, exits, public scrutiny, or conflict with trusted people. Like Arjuna, their bodies often react before their minds can rationalize the situation.

The critical lesson here is not suppression, but expression. Arjuna does not deny what he is feeling. By acknowledging his condition, he prevents hidden emotions from silently sabotaging future decisions.

In business, unspoken stress leaks into poor judgment, reactive behavior, and burnout. Naming the struggle is the first step toward resolving it.

Leadership Lesson

Arjuna’s openness reveals the power of safe mentorship.

He chooses Krishna because Krishna is:

• not competing with him,
• not emotionally entangled in the outcome, and
• deeply invested in Arjuna’s long-term growth.

This is exactly the role a true mentor plays in business. A mentor listens without judgment, understands the full context, and speaks truth—even when it is uncomfortable. Unlike friends or colleagues, who often focus on the immediate issue, a mentor focuses on who you are becoming.

Vulnerability in front of the right mentor is not weakness—it is leverage. When leaders are honest about their inner state, mentors can address root causes rather than surface symptoms.

Key Takeaways

• Acknowledge inner turmoil: Physical and emotional signals deserve attention, not denial.
• Leadership need not be stoic: Honest expression prevents hidden stress from driving decisions.
• Choose mentors wisely: The best mentors are detached from execution but committed to your growth.
• Vulnerability builds clarity: Sharing openly enables deeper, more accurate guidance.
• You grow faster with support: No leader wins long battles alone.