Personal Branding Sutras - 4

A modern interpretation of the Yoga Sutras for crafting your unique identity.

Sutra 8: Viparyayah Mithyajnanam Atadrupa Pratishtham

Sanskrit Sutra:  

विपर्ययः मिथ्याज्ञानम् आतद्रूप प्रतिष्ठाम्॥ (Viparyayah Mithyajnanam Atadrupa Pratishtham)

Transliteration:  

Viparyayah mithyajnanam atadrupa pratishtham

Poetic Essence:  

False knowledge is like an image turned,  

Where truth is distorted, and the lessons are spurned.  

It leads us astray, keeping us blind,  

A brand built on lies will fall behind.

Personal Branding Essence (Poem):  

Be true to yourself, and trust what you know,  

Falsehoods will hinder your brand’s steady flow.  

When the image is real, the message is clear,  

Your brand will stand firm, year after year.

Commentary:  

Here’s the thing: false knowledge in branding is like that one selfie angle you keep trying to recreate but always fail at. It’s just not working. When you build your brand on a distorted version of yourself (a.k.a. “I’ll pretend to be a productivity guru even though I still can’t get out of bed before 11 a.m.”), it’s only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down.

A coach helps you strip away the illusions and get real with your brand. Authenticity will always win, even if you’re not perfect. (Spoiler: no one is.)

Examples in Personal Branding:

- Resume:  

  Example:  

  Instead of putting down “Expert in all design software,” try:  

  “Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) with 5 years of hands-on experience creating impactful visual designs for both print and digital media.”  

  Why it works: It’s specific and truthful, showing real proficiency instead of an exaggerated claim.

- Cover Letter:  

  Example:  

  “I’m not just looking for a job; I’m looking for a place where I can grow and contribute long-term. I want to bring my skills in SEO to your team to help you increase organic traffic by improving site structure and content quality.”  

  Why it works: This shows passion and authenticity rather than just “I want a job because I need one.”

- LinkedIn Profile:  

  Example:  

  “I’m a software developer with a passion for problem-solving. Over the past 3 years, I’ve worked on several projects that delivered custom software solutions on time and within budget. My latest project was a full-stack web app that improved customer engagement by 30%.”  

  Why it works: Honest, concrete details that give a clear picture of what you do and how well you do it.

- Blog/Personal Website:  

  Example:  

  “Here’s my process for designing user-centric websites that convert: I start with research, collaborate with clients, and then create a visually appealing site that addresses their needs.”  

  Why it works: You’re giving a step-by-step process, showing how you work instead of simply claiming to be “great at design.” Transparency builds trust.

Self-Awareness & Expression:  

This sutra teaches that honesty is the best policy. Build your brand on who you really are—not some made-up version. The more genuine, the stronger your brand.