Dharma Tank: A Chinmaya Mission Sunday School Skit on Detachment and Liberation

Hi all, here’s a skit conceptualized and performed by 11th graders at a Chinmaya Mission anniversary celebration, hosted by Moksh Somayajula.

–

Dharma Tank Roles And Tasks

• 3 Sharks
• 2 Demons
• Host
• Krishna
• Arjuna

Skit Props

• All wear western business
• Card – bigger, made out of cardboard
• Cardboard fish
• Phone stand for card
• Axe of detachment
• Crowns for Krishna/Arjuna
• Peacock feather
• Horns/Moustaches for demons
• Monopoly money
• Mardi Gras beads
• Suitcase
• Crumpled up paper
• Notebook/pens for sharks – Sharks bring their own
• Tablecloth
• Tree
• 1 short table
• 1 big table
• 3 chairs
• 3-4 mics

Skit Script

Host – crowd work, ask if ppl know what shark tank

Shark Tank music plays

Host:

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to Dharma Tank, where souls seek serious returns. Today we have 3 investors who aren’t looking for profit, but looking for liberation. Our valuation metrics aret net karma gain, attachment liability, and projected eternal happiness. Two startups will pitch their method for escaping the cycle of birth and rebirth. Sharks, are you ready?

Sharks nod.

Our first pitch, enter the tank.

Demon 1 and Demon 2 walk in confidently.

Demon 1:

Good afternoon Sharks. Let’s be honest for a moment. Liberation sounds great, but the process is long. Meditation takes discipline, and detachment is annoying. Why go through all that struggle?

Demon 2 holds up a shiny card.

Demon 2:

Instead, we created something simpler. This is the Magic Card. With this card you gain access to wealth, power, pleasure, influence, and even guaranteed entry into heaven.

Shark 1:

Guaranteed entry?

Demon 1:

With enough influence, anything becomes possible.

Shark 2:

Okay..? What’s the growth potential for your product?

Demon 2:

Unlimited. Human desire never stops growing. The more people want, the more they rely on our product.

Shark 2:

So your entire system depends on keeping people hooked.

Shark 3:

Hooked? Like fish? I like fish. Get it? Because we’re sharks?

Everyone looks at Shark 3 a little weird.

Demon 1:

We prefer the term “sustained engagement.”

Shark 1:

What happens when the pleasure fades?

Demon 2:

They upgrade.

Shark 2:

So instead of cutting attachment, you strengthen it.

Demon 1:

We call it optimizing the experience of life.

Shark 3:

I see potential here. Strong demand and emotional investment. I might be interested.

Shark 2:

Really? You’re investing in desire?

Shark 3:

Yeah, desire causes action. And action is the only way to get results. Like money. And fish.

Shark 2:

Will you stop with the fish?

Shark 1:

Desire also leads to greed and anger, and anger always leads to regret.

Demon 2:

But imagine never having to renounce anything. No sacrifices. No struggle. Just instant satisfaction.

Shark 1:

This product doesn’t free the soul. It strengthens the Ashvattha tree of attachment.

Shark 2:

Temporary pleasure can’t lead to permanent liberation. What’s your projected return in eternal happiness?

Demon 1 hesitates and looks nervous.

Demon 1:

Uhhh… It’s temporary.

All Sharks together:

We’re out.

Demons begin walking away.

Demon 1 mutters:

You will regret missing the fastest growing pleasure market.

Host:

Uhhh, thanks for that pitch. Let’s move on. Our second startup will now enter the tank.

Shark Tank music plays

Krishna and Arjuna walk in calmly.

Arjuna:

There was a time when I was confused. I wanted success, recognition, and victory. But I was afraid of losing everything I valued.

Krishna:

The material world is like the Ashvattha tree. Its roots are above and its branches spread downward. It grows through desire, anger, greed, and the pull of our senses.

Krishna gestures to the tree.

Krishna:

The more we chase temporary experiences, the stronger the tree grows. I’m Krishna,

Arjuna:

I’m Arjuna,

Krishna:

And today, we present: The Axe of Detachment.

Krishna knocks over the tree with the axe.

Demons boo and throw crumpled up paper on stage.

Shark 2:

Detachment? So what, you expect people to give up everything they have?

Krishna:

No. We do not give up action. We give up attachment to the results of action.

Shark 3:

How does this affect net karma gain? And net fish gain?

Krishna:

When actions are performed without selfish attachment, they no longer bind the soul, and Karma becomes purified.

Shark 1:

What exact investment were you looking for today?

Arjuna:

Control of the senses. Dedication in knowledge. Courage, and embrace selflessness.

Shark 2:

And the return?

Krishna:

Freedom from rebirth. Stability beyond change. Union with the Supreme, what more could you want.

Shark 2 quickly leans forward.

Shark 2:

Alright, then I want in.

Shark 3:

So do I.

Shark 1:

Me too.

Shark 3:

Hold on, what exactly are we offering?

Shark 2:

I’ll invest by strengthening control over my mind and senses.

Shark 3:

You know what… I’ll give up some fish.

Shark 1:

I’ll invest through study and dedication to higher knowledge.

The sharks begin arguing and start negotiating.

Shark 2:

What percentage of enlightenment do we receive?

Shark 3:

Can we secure guaranteed liberation?

Shark 2:

Ykw, I will double my commitment. I really need this deal. (Pointing at Shark 3) More than she needs her fish.

Shark 3 slaps Shark 2 with a fish

Arjuna looks confused.

Krishna:

Woah sharks don’t worry. Liberation is not a limited investment opportunity.

The sharks stop arguing.

Krishna:

There’s basically no competition here. Anyone who practices divine qualities can invest.

Shark 2:

So the investment is open to everyone?

Arjuna:

Pretty much, the only requirement is sincere effort.

Shark 3:

Then we can all invest!

All Sharks together:

We’re in!

Host: Two pitches entered the tank today. One strengthened desire. The other cut attachment. Every action you take is an investment, and today, our sharks chose liberation. What will you choose?

–

– 0 –

About Sanatana Dharma

ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रह्मैव नापरः।
अनेन वेद्यं सच्छास्त्रमिति वेदान्तडिण्डिमः॥

Brahman alone is real; the universe is mithya – neither fully real nor unreal, but an appearance. The individual self (jiva) is none other than Brahman itself, not separate or different. This is the true teaching of the scriptures, as revealed by Vedanta. ~ Verse 20 from Brahma Jnānavali Māla