Chatur - चतुर

The Outsmarter

The Jackal

Chatur's are represented by the jackal because like a jackal, Chatur’s are cunning, adaptable, and smart.

Cunning

When jackals are stalking prey, they move slowly and quietly, keeping a low profile and using cover such as bushes or tall grass to stay hidden. Once the jackal has identified its prey, it will move closer to the target, always keeping low and avoiding detection. When the jackal is within striking distance, it will pounce on the prey with a sudden burst of speed, using its sharp teeth and claws to subdue and kill the animal.

Adaptable

Jackals are experts at adjusting their hunting strategies depending on what is available in their environment. They have an excellent ability to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, by hunting and scavenging a wide range of prey. Jackals also are known to steal food from other predators. Their highly adaptable nature allows them to survive in a variety of habitats.

Smart

Jackals have been observed using tools, such as rocks, to break open eggs or shells to access food. This behavior demonstrates how clever they are at using their environment to their advantage.

Sanskrit Meaning

In Hindu scriptures, a Chatur is usually portrayed as a cunning and mischievous character who uses their intelligence and wit to outsmart others.
Chaturs tend to use their power to shape-shift into different forms, for example, mirroring others feelings, in order to deceive and manipulate them.
Shakuni, a cunning character in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, is depicted as a deeply deceitful, masterful manipulator. Shakuni's deceit knows no bounds. He sows discord among family members, manipulates alliances, and engineers circumstances to outsmart others, thereby furthering his own agenda. His actions significantly contribute to the escalation of tensions between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, ultimately culminating in the devastating and catastrophic Kurukshetra War.

Chatur's Superpowers

Chatur's are often associated with creativity, spontaneity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Chatur types tend to be cunning. By using their intelligence and strategic thinking to outsmart others, Chaturs have a knack for achieving their goals through deceitful or underhanded means.

Chatur types have a tendency of engaging in manipulative behavior to gain control over another person. For example, Chatur’s have been known to do a behavior called "shape-shifting" or "mirroring,” in which they change their behavior, personality, or interests to match those of the person they are targeting. By doing so, the Chatur can appear more attractive, likeable, and relatable, making it easier for them to manipulate and control the other person's emotions and actions.

The Chatur may even go to the extent of pretending to share the same values, beliefs, or interests as the other person in an attempt to establish a connection and gain their trust.

Chatur in Different States of Mind

The nature of the human mind is that it fluctuates between three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas. Detailed below is what the Chatur’s mind might look like in each of the three states.

Sattva

Peaceful. Clear.

They use their cunning minds for good, such as outsmarting someone who is trying to take advantage of a helpless person.

Rajas

Passionate. Active.

Their passion tends to be directed towards deceiving others so they can get what they want. They become impatient and have angry outbursts when things don’t go their way, scaring those around them into compliance and submission.

Tamas

Passive. Confused.

They use unethical practices that require minimal effort to get what they want. They lack the motivation for discipline and believe that rules don’t apply to them. They believe that they are much more advanced than they really are and they proudly boast about their accomplishments. They have been known to even become spiritual teachers and can attract quite a following.

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