Girte Hain Shehsawar Hi Maidan-e-Jung Mein…
An Inspirational Message for Civil Services Aspirants
By Dr. Sunil S. Rana (Rana’s IAS Academy)
There is a timeless line in Urdu:
“Girte hain shehsawar hi maidan-e-jung mein…”
Only the mounted warriors fall in the battlefield…
The ordinary never falls- because the ordinary never enters the arena of greatness.
This one sentence carries the essence of the entire journey of Civil Services preparation. The UPSC exam is not a test of information alone- it is a test of courage, persistence, dignity, discipline, and the ability to rise after every fall.
Lessons from the Mahabharata: Where Failures Build Destiny:
The Mahabharata is not just an epic; it is an encyclopedia of human struggle and resurgence.
1. Arjuna & The Crisis of Willpower:
Before the greatest war of his life, Arjuna- an undefeatable warrior-collapsed emotionally.
He trembled, questioned himself, doubted the righteousness of action, and even thought of stepping back.
What did Krishna tell him?
“Klaibyam ma sma gamah Partha…”
Give up this weakness; this does not suit you, O Arjuna.
Even the greatest falter.
But the great rise.
Your moments of self-doubt during UPSC preparation are similar.
You may feel exhausted by repeated attempts, vast syllabus, failures in prelims or mains, or the pressure of expectations.
But remember- Krishna does not speak to the weak; He speaks to the capable.
If you feel the burden, if you tremble- then it means you are chosen for a higher purpose.
2. Abhimanyu: The Symbol of Unfinished Yet Immortal Effort:
Abhimanyu knew how to enter the Chakravyuh but did not know how to exit.
Yet he entered anyway.
This is the spirit UPSC demands.
You will never have perfect knowledge.
You will never feel 100% ready.
But you must enter the battlefield with courage, determination, and faith.
Success is not born from certainty-
Success is born from courage.
Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita: Action is Your Dharma
One verse summarizes everything a Civil Services aspirant must internalize:
“Karmanye vadhikaraste, ma phaleshu kadachana.”
You have control only over your actions, never over the fruits.
Do not study for marks.
Do not read newspapers for prelims.
Do not analyze books for mains.
Do not practice interviews for panel scores.
Do everything because it is your Dharma.
Because your nation needs upright officers.
Because your purpose is service, not merely selection.
The moment you detach from the result, you rise above fear.
What Great Indian Thinkers Teach Us About Struggle:
Swami Vivekananda:
“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”
When you stumble, it is not a sign of weakness- it is a sign that you are moving.
The stagnant never fall.
-Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam:
“You cannot change your future, but you can change your habits,
and surely your habits will change your future.”
UPSC is a game of habits:
What you read, think, speak, practice, revise and believe.
Change your habits- your destiny will change automatically.
-Chanakya:
“As long as you do not lose courage, failure cannot defeat you.”
There is no failure in UPSC- only a redirection toward improvement.
The Message Every Aspirant Must Remember:
If you fall, it means you are running.
If you struggle, it means you are growing.
If you fear, it means you are standing on the edge of transformation.
UPSC is not a journey of brilliance-
It is a journey of resilience.
So the next time you face a setback, whisper to yourself:
“Girte hain shehsawar hi maidan-e-jung mein…”
A warrior falls only because he dared to fight.
Let every failure become your training.
Let every setback become your teacher.
Let every doubt become your reminder that you are still in the battlefield- and not outside it.
Final Words to Every Future Officer:
The day you rise after falling,
the day you fight after failing,
the day you continue after breaking-
that day the nation salutes you as an officer long before UPSC does.
Fight with dignity.
Rise with courage.
Walk with purpose.
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