When she returned after a heartbreak at the Tokyo Olympics, Manu Bhaker’s parents Ramkishan Bhaker and Sumedha would recite hymns from the Gita with the young shooter. Even when the family went for a vacation in Kerala post the debacle, verses from the sacred book would often be read to the youngster between conversations.

And on Sunday, 1099 days after that disappointment in the Japanese capital, the 22-year-old had her redemption with a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the Chateauroux Range in France. Manu Bhaker finished with a tally of 221.7, just behind Koreans Oh Ye Jin and Kim Yeji. In fact, the Indian was in silver medal position before her final shot but Kim overtook her.

The Bhaker household was understandably elated and her father remembers the spiritual lessons which became Manu’s mantra.

“Manu’s mother often recites shlokas from the Gita to her and one of the verses which she often recites is ‘yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehas tat tat prāpya śhubhāśhubham, nābhinandati na dveṣhṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā’ which means one who remains detached under all conditions, and is neither delighted by good fortune nor dejected by tribulation, he is a sage with perfect knowledge,” her father told The Indian Express.