In Hinduism, there are two types of Vedic literature ‘Shruti and Smruti’ that differ in their origin, authority, and authorship.

In simple words Shruti is that which needs to be heard, and Smruti is that which needs to be remembered.

The gap between what is told and what is heard is a function of the memory and interpretation of the receiver. So, what we hear is often not exactly what is said.

A Classic example of this can be found in the epic Mahabharat, where Dronacharya was a formidable opponent who couldn’t be easily defeated.

As advised by Krishna, the Pandava army killed an elephant named Ashwatthama coincidentally the same name as Dronacharya’s son. When Dronacharya was informed that ‘Ashwatthama is dead’, he sought confirmation from the ever-truthful Yudhishthir. Yudhishthir, bound by righteousness, replied truthfully ‘Ashwatthama is dead… but I am not sure whether it is the man or the elephant’.

Dronacharya, assuming it was his son, lost the will to fight. Without verifying the facts, he laid down his weapons and was beheaded.

From various types of cognitive Biases, Dronacharya was a victim of Confirmation Bias.

Confirmation Bias: is the tendency to search for, interpret, favour, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's preexisting beliefs or values.

This highlights why it’s often prudent to leave interpretation and conclusions to professionals or subject experts. In the complex world of finance, business, or even personal decisions, assumptions based on incomplete information can lead to costly mistakes. Rather than jumping to conclusions or relying on rumours, it’s always better to let experts do the research and provide us with clear guidance. By doing so, we avoid the pitfalls of bias and make more informed, effective decisions.

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