Whenever we talk about the Assessment Centre, we attribute its origin to World War II. The names of countries like Germany and the United States come in, where it was first used for shortlisting military and civilian rookies to evaluate their tolerance and physical strength so that they may effectively be deployed for gathering intelligence. Despite having a rich legacy, somehow, we Indians become very modest and try to give credit for such works to others instead of believing in our heritage (Learning from our scriptures). I would like to quote an episode from ‘Ramacharitamanas;’ I am sure you all must know it.
जात पवनसुत देवन्ह देखा। जानैं कहुँ बल बुद्धि बिसेषा।। सुरसा नाम अहिन्ह कै माता। पठइन्हि आइ कही तेहिं बाता।।
When devatas saw Pawansut (Hanuman Ji) on his way to Lanka in search of Sita Ji, they sent Sursa a demoness to assess his strength (Bal) and wisdom (Buddhi). Sursa told Hanuman Ji that god provided her with food and tried to eat him. Hanuman Ji attempted to explain to her that he was going in search of Sita Ji and requested her to let him go. But she disagreed and opened her mouth wide enough to eat him. Hanuman Ji, too, started expanding himself and became gigantic. Surasa kept on increasing her jaws so she could gulp Hanuman Ji. According to scripture, Surasa grew her mouth equal to 100 yojanas. That’s when Hanuman Ji suddenly assumed a tiny form and, entered her mouth and left it, even before she could close it.
The assessment was not over yet; there were two more interventions left. Sursa tried to test his capabilities (mainly Buddhi) in the air, and in the water, Simhika was ready. She was hiding in the ocean and captured Hanuman Ji’s shadow. Hanuman Ji dived into her mouth and came out, tearing up her stomach, ending the life of Simhika and thus displaying his other capability (Bal).
Finally, at land, he encountered the third assessor, Lankini, at the gates of Lanka, who was cursed by Lord Bramha to guard the city of Rakshasas forever as she became egoistic and arrogant while serving at his abode.
जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा।। मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी।।
When Hanuman Ji tried to enter Lanka, she asked about his identity and the purpose of the visit. Hanuman Ji did not want to reveal his mission; hence, he cleverly replied that he had come from the forest to see the beauty of the famous city of Lanka. However, Lankini realized that he was an intruder and attacked him. Knowing that she was a woman, Hanuman Ji softly stroked her back, which was enough to make her fall and bleed. A dazed and confused Lankini immediately realized that Hanuman Ji was just not an ordinary monkey. She asked him to forgive her as she remembered Brahma’s prophecy had come true. Hanuman Ji had forgiven her and continued his quest into Lanka, leaving Lankini behind, who was now free of the curse. Once again, he displayed his twin competencies, i.e., Bal and Buddhi.
Isn’t the testimony of a perfect Assessment Centre using multiple evaluation methods and various assessors to assess different competencies?
To be continued…
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