Choosing the right partner, whether in business or marital life, is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your success and well-being. A good partner can elevate your career and business to new heights, while a bad partner can lead to failure and frustration. In my experience, over 60% of business consultations involve either selecting the right partner or addressing problems in existing partnerships. This underscores the critical importance of making the right choice early on in your business journey.
Partnership Wisdom From the Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is a timeless epic filled with profound wisdom applicable to all aspects of life, including leadership, strategy, decision-making, team building, partnerships, and the purpose of life. Every character in the Mahabharata is masterfully crafted, each teaching us different lessons on how to and how not to act. Let’s ponder some partnership wisdom from this timeless classic.
Before the commencement of the Kurukshetra war, both Arjuna and Duryodhana sought Shri Krishna’s help. Shri Krishna set a condition: “On one side is my army, and on the other side is me, but I will not use any weapons or fight. Now choose what you want.” Given the first choice, Arjuna immediately chose Shri Krishna, while Duryodhana, relieved, asked for Shri Krishna’s powerful army.
Although Duryodhana’s strategy of choosing the army seemed logical, it ultimately did not lead to his success. Arjuna’s decision to have Shri Krishna, despite his vow not to fight, may seem absurd at first glance. However, upon deeper reflection, we uncover profound partnership wisdom. Arjuna, a great warrior, often faced moral dilemmas during the war. Shri Krishna’s presence helped him navigate these dilemmas and uphold Dharma. Shri Krishna’s wisdom and guidance complemented Arjuna’s strengths and mitigated his weaknesses. In contrast, Duryodhana relied solely on the strength of the army, overlooking the timeless wisdom Shri Krishna could have offered.
Key takeaways from this story include:
- “Don’t look for a business partner who is an alter ego; look for a partner who can complement your weaknesses.”
- “Don’t enter into a partnership with someone just because they have a hefty amount to invest. A partner who shares your core values is more powerful than one who only has money to invest.”
How Vedic Astrology Can Help You Choose a Wise Partner
Astrology is one of the most ancient sciences, providing a profound blueprint of one’s life. A horoscope acts as a mirror, reflecting an individual’s strengths and weaknesses. In the context of business partnerships, understanding both your own and your partner’s astrological makeup can be incredibly insightful.
In May 2022, a middle-aged businessman contacted me for a horoscope consultation. He was running a medium-scale manufacturing unit with a partner and had been experiencing recent misunderstandings. He wanted to know whether he should continue the partnership or dissolve it. I asked him to bring both his and his partner’s horoscopes for a detailed analysis.
During our initial conversation, it became clear that he was a meticulous planner, averse to last-minute surprises. He even inquired about the shortest route to my office and confirmed the appointment details in advance, indicating his disciplined nature.
On the day of the appointment, he arrived early and handed over the birth details. I generated the horoscopes using my software. His chart showed Virgo rising with Saturn in the 10th house, which explained his discipline, patience, and meticulous planning. His 7th house, representing partnerships, was well-placed.
His partner’s chart, with Aries rising and Mars exalted in the 10th house, indicated an impulsive, courageous, and dynamic personality. The partner’s 7th house was also well-placed, making him suitable for partnerships. This combination highlighted a potential conflict: the businessman’s slow, steady, and patient approach clashing with his partner’s dynamic and impulsive style.
When I asked about the partnership issues, he explained their differing opinions on business expansion and acquiring new clients. Post-COVID, he wanted to stabilise existing orders, while his partner was eager to seize new opportunities, feeling that the pandemic had created significant backlogs in the industry. Additionally, he felt disturbed by his partner’s restlessness and pushy demeanour.
I explained the inherent differences in their characters. The businessman’s meticulous, data-driven, and process-oriented nature complemented his partner’s dynamic, impulsive, and martial spirit. Importantly, his partner’s risky nature was balanced by strong indications of business success in his horoscope.
I suggested leveraging their complementary skills for the organisation’s growth. His partner should handle business expansion, while he could focus on scaling the team and improving processes to fulfil orders more efficiently. Given that the astrological period was conducive to business expansion, I recommended that they seize the opportunity to grow their business.
The consultation continued with discussions on investment plans and favourable time periods. After our session, he felt relieved and confident about taking the next steps.