The Vikram & Vetal Method of Training

The Vikram & Vetal Method of Training draws inspiration from the ancient Sanskrit tales known as Vetal Pachisi — the Twenty-Five Tales of the Ghost. These stories, once narrated to impart wisdom and provoke reflection, are now finding a new purpose in education and corporate training. This method is gradually emerging as a preferred model for teaching, learning, and leadership development — applicable not only in classrooms but also across industries.

The Ancient Story and Its Deeper Meaning

In these tales, King Vikramaditya is tasked by a sorcerer to fetch a ghost (Vetal) from a cremation ground. The condition, however, is unusual — he must carry the ghost without uttering a word. But the ghost, clever and cunning, challenges the king by telling him a story and ending it with a riddle.

“Answer the question, Vikramaditya!” says the ghost. “If you remain silent despite knowing the answer, your head will shatter into a thousand pieces. But if you do not know the answer, you are unworthy of being a king.”

Thus begins a fascinating dialogue of intellect and morality — a test of wisdom, reasoning, and decision-making under pressure.

Ancient Stories, Modern Relevance

The structure of the Vetal Pachisi mirrors the modern case study method used in management education. What is a case study, after all, if not a story about a problem faced by an organization? Management students are asked to analyze the situation, weigh options, and propose a solution — precisely what the ghost demands of King Vikramaditya.

The Vikram & Vetal approach emphasizes that true leadership is not about authority, but about problem-solving and discernment. A good leader — like King Vikramaditya — must confront complexity, listen deeply, and respond wisely.

Unfortunately, in modern times, we have reduced our traditional stories to “children’s tales,” ignoring their profound potential as teaching tools. These stories were originally designed to turn boys into men — to shape thinkers, decision-makers, and visionaries.

A New Way to Teach and Train

As a firm believer in storytelling, especially from Indian traditions, I have long encouraged my students to rediscover the lessons hidden in these tales. This belief has evolved into a structured Vikram & Vetal Method of Training — a model where teaching and training merge seamlessly to develop both knowledge and practical skill.

This approach doesn’t just aim to teach concepts; it also focuses on how to think, how to present, and how to perform under evaluation. After all, scoring marks or demonstrating results is an art — and many learners struggle not with understanding but with expression. Hence, the training is designed to build conceptual clarity and exam-readiness or performance capability simultaneously.

The Role of the Teacher: Becoming the Vetal

In this method, the teacher or trainer assumes the role of the Vetal — the ghost. The Vetal doesn’t give direct answers or deliver endless lectures. Instead, he asks provocative questions, challenges assumptions, and pushes the student to think independently.

The Vetal has no stake in the outcome; his role is to provoke insight. He hangs upside down, viewing the world from an unconventional perspective — symbolic of critical thinking and questioning norms.

In essence, the teacher must never force knowledge upon students. Learning works best when it is taken, not given. Just as King Vikramaditya must go to the ghost, the student must come to the teacher — with curiosity, initiative, and questions.

While teachers can reach out to students physically, the intellectual pursuit must be led by the learner. It is the student’s duty to engage — to ask, to doubt, and to seek clarity.

The Classroom as a Crematorium

The training room, in this philosophy, is likened to a smashan bhumi — a cremation ground. It may sound morbid, but it symbolizes a place where ego, ignorance, and old habits are laid to rest.

A crematorium is not a productive space — no business happens there. Similarly, a classroom or training hall doesn’t directly generate revenue. But if a Vetal in that crematorium (the trainer) can provoke the participants to become Vikramadityas (wise leaders), then those who return to their workplaces will make better, smarter, and more profitable decisions.

The transformation happens in silence, introspection, and questioning — not in mechanical productivity.

Respect for People: The Core Value

At the heart of this method lies the Future Group’s core value — respect for people. Many training programs treat learners, especially frontline employees, as empty vessels waiting to be filled with information. This top-down approach fails to recognize the intelligence and experience participants already possess.

In reality, much of workplace wisdom — particularly in retail and service industries — comes from observation, empathy, and common sense. Effective training should awaken this inner intelligence, not suppress it.

Encouraging Thought and Ownership

Often, trainers or managers discourage questioning for fear of chaos. They believe that if everyone starts thinking, discipline will collapse. But this attitude breeds resentment. Participants begin to think, “They don’t trust us to think,” or worse, “They think we are incapable.”

The Vikram & Vetal method reverses this mindset. It nurtures curiosity and ownership. It encourages learners not to be like:

• Arjuna – who argues endlessly but rarely acts.

• Bhima – who obeys blindly without reflection.

• Duryodhana – who pretends to understand but delivers nothing.

Instead, it urges them to emulate Sahadeva – the quiet knower who speaks only when needed — and ultimately Vikramaditya, the wise king who makes balanced, courageous decisions.

Building Confidence and Self-Belief

Imagine a young man or woman trained under this system. The trainer, acting as a subtle guide, conveys a constant, unspoken message:

“I believe you have potential. I believe you can find the answer. With a little guidance, a few prompts, and some collaboration, you will succeed.”

Such faith transforms self-esteem. The learner begins to trust their own mind, leading to greater confidence, independence, and creativity. This self-belief not only benefits the individual’s career but also strengthens the organization and, by extension, the nation’s intellectual and economic fabric.

The Ego-less Guru

This method demands humility from the trainer. The teacher must relinquish the illusion of being the ultimate source of knowledge. True teaching is not about power — it’s about empowerment.

A real guru doesn’t dominate; he ignites. He lights the fire of wisdom within others, guiding gently, not imposing heavily. This requires faith, empathy, and patience — rare but essential traits in any great teacher.

Final Reflection

I deeply admire a teacher’s potential to become a Vetal — to question, challenge, and awaken wisdom. And I salute every learner’s potential to become a Vikramaditya — a thinker, a leader, and a problem solver in their own realm.

When ghosts provoke kings to think, and kings learn to answer wisely, knowledge transforms from mere information into enlightenment.

That is the true power of the Vikram & Vetal Method of Training — an ancient dialogue reborn for a modern age.