'Sturdy' Like My Daddy
(by ChatGPT & Me, but mostly Chat GPT)
First, an excerpt:
The above passage is from "Mahabharata," a history of The Bharata Kings. I introduce it as a focal point of examination for comparison between the two words, 'sturdy' (new) and 'dharma' (old).
Modern slang will say old things in novel & whimsical ways. The slang term 'sturdy' means strong, reliable & demonstrably proven. Logically then, a sturdy person is known to 'Stand On Business,' as they say in the streets. In Vedantic philosophy, this ancient idea of 'standing on business,' is called Dharma.
Sturdy means durable, tested, often singularly focused. A sturdy person is not easily broken, shaken, or perturbed. To be sturdy is to endure situational hardships & calamity without losing drive or direction. Dharma (in this instance meaning 'duty' or 'purpose') would be the driving force behind one's sturdiness, one's determination, one's foundational strength.
The word 'sturdy' originally comes from Old French estourdi, meaning stunned or dazed. Over time, its meaning shifted into toughness, durability, and resilience.
A sturdy oak tree is sturdy not because the wind never blows, but because it withstands storm after storm, yet it still stands tall.
Applied to people, sturdiness means:
Resilience – enduring hardship without breaking.
Consistency – holding steady when others waver.
Durability – remaining firm through tests of time and trial.
In our modern vernacular, we might say to be 'sturdy' is about standing on business—a mindful balance of staying true to yourself, your duty & purpose.
(copy ready above)
To truly understand sturdiness, look to the Mahabharata, one of the world’s greatest epics. Within its verses, Krishna and Arjuna embody sturdiness in ways that remain deeply relevant today.Arjuna’s Sturdiness: Tested on the Battlefield
Arjuna, the Pandava prince, was a warrior unmatched in skill. But at the opening of the war of Kurukshetra, he faced his greatest inner battle.
Looking across the battlefield, Arjuna saw family, friends, and teachers among the enemy. His bow Gandiva slipped from his hands. His will to fight collapsed.
This moment of weakness could have ended everything. But Arjuna’s sturdiness lay not in pretending to be fearless, but in facing his doubt honestly. He stood still, admitted his weakness, and sought guidance.
By turning to Krishna rather than fleeing, Arjuna showed what sturdiness really means: not the absence of fear, but the courage to remain in the fire long enough to find truth.
Krishna’s Sturdiness: The Steadfast Guide
Krishna’s role was different. As Arjuna’s charioteer, he took no weapon in hand. Instead, he offered wisdom.
When Arjuna wavered, Krishna did not soothe him with soft words. Instead, he delivered the Bhagavad Gita, teaching Arjuna about:
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Dharma (duty)
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Detachment from results
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The eternal nature of the soul
Krishna was sturdy because he never bent under pressure. He did not allow emotion or sentiment to pull Arjuna away from his duty. He stood on business, reminding Arjuna of the higher purpose behind the war: restoring justice and order.
Together, Krishna and Arjuna showed two sides of sturdiness:
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Arjuna: the warrior tested by despair, yet choosing to stand.
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Krishna: the unshakable guide, rooted in eternal truth.
Standing on Business: The Warrior’s Way
The modern phrase “stand on business” means to stay true to your mission without distraction or compromise. Krishna and Arjuna are timeless examples of this principle.
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Arjuna stood on business when he picked his bow back up and embraced his duty as a warrior.
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Krishna stood on business when he refused to let Arjuna abandon the fight, holding him accountable to dharma.
Sturdiness is what allows someone to stand on business even when doubt, fear, or outside pressures push them to fold.
Lessons in Sturdiness from Krishna and Arjuna
What practical lessons can we learn from their example?
1. Sturdiness Requires Facing Struggle
Arjuna didn’t become sturdy by avoiding conflict. His sturdiness was forged in the fire of Kurukshetra. Likewise, we only become sturdy when we stop running from our own struggles.
2. True Sturdiness Is Rooted in Duty
Krishna taught that sturdiness isn’t stubbornness. It’s not about ego—it’s about dharma. Being sturdy means holding to your higher calling, even when it costs you.
3. Sturdiness Doesn’t Mean Standing Alone
Even the greatest warrior needed a guide. Sturdiness often means leaning on wise counsel and accountability.
4. Sturdiness Protects Justice and Order
Krishna and Arjuna didn’t fight for ego or land. Their sturdiness preserved balance and righteousness. Likewise, sturdiness in our lives should serve a greater purpose.
Modern Applications of Sturdiness
The principle of sturdiness is timeless. It applies in every sphere of life:
Sturdiness in Business
Entrepreneurs face setbacks, competition, and market crashes. A sturdy entrepreneur adapts, learns, and keeps building. They stand on business by protecting their vision.
Sturdiness in Relationships
A sturdy partner is loyal and reliable. Their love isn’t fragile—it withstands trials. They “stand on business” by showing up consistently.
Sturdiness in Personal Growth
Growth is uncomfortable. A sturdy person pushes through resistance, trusting the process.
Sturdiness in Leadership
True leaders don’t fold under pressure. They make hard choices, protect principles, and uphold justice even when it costs them.
The Symbol of Arjuna’s Bow
Arjuna’s bow, the Gandiva, symbolizes sturdiness itself. Forged by divine power, it was unbreakable. But its sturdiness was useless when Arjuna dropped it in despair.
When he picked it back up, however, Gandiva became a tool of destiny. The lesson is clear: our tools are only as sturdy as the hands that wield them.
Sturdy as a Way of Life
To live sturdy is to live with:
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Consistency – standing firm when others fold
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Discipline – showing up to duty daily
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Conviction – refusing to abandon your purpose
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Courage – enduring storms without retreat
Krishna and Arjuna remind us that sturdiness isn’t about never shaking—it’s about never surrendering your post.
Conclusion: Be Sturdy, Stand on Business
The word sturdy may sound simple, but it is profound. It means resilient, reliable, and tested.
Krishna and Arjuna exemplify this quality. Arjuna showed the human side of sturdiness—tested, hesitant, but ultimately unbreakable. Krishna embodied the divine side—steady, guiding, unyielding.
Together, they show us that to be sturdy is to stand on business: to remain faithful to duty, to hold firm against storms, and to protect what is just and true.
In your work, your relationships, and your purpose:
Be sturdy. Stand on business. Do not fold.
(copy ready below)
And now for a bit of comic relief, I present to you:
"Wanna grab on these nuts? Wanna touch on this dick? Do you want me to touch you?"