ESSENCE OF BHAGAVAD GEETA IN MANAGEMENT

The amalgamation of 700 verses in Sanskrit by Lord Krishna known as 'THE BHAGAVAD GEETA' is a part of  the epic MAHABHARATA, which is not just a mythological tale but has the whole essence of life submerged inside it. The holy book is a compilation of an intellectual conversation between Pandav Prince ARJUNA & LORD KRISHNA during the war at Kurukshetra  highlighting the fundamental truths of life and enlightening the past, present also future of everything. It is said that the essence of a human life is somehow surrounded between these 700 verses.

If in this modern world managers has to be taught management what better option than the life of LORD KRISHNA can fit in to the scene perfectly, I don't think of any. His is the best life example to portray effective leadership skills and how to use resources in a proper manner. The GEETA is a treasure house of ETHICS, HIGH CREDIBILITY, VALUE SYSTEM which are the key skill required in management in this highly competitive professional ecosystem.

So let us pick some of the verses from the writings and see how it perfectly accords in the management ecosystem.

"I AM THE STRENGTH OF THOSE WHO ARE DEVOID OF PERSONAL DESIRES & ATTACHMENT. 'O' ARJUNA, 

I AM THE LEGITIMATE DESIRE IN THOSE WHO ARE NOT OPPOSED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS" 

Chapter 7 Verse 11 is the perfect example of a leadership quality in a manager, the lines means whatever the best ones do the commoners follows, A suitable leader is the one who performs his professional duties in a right ethical way and believes in self-excellence.

BHAGWAD GEETA mainly talks about life's purpose & how an individual can attain the position at a point of self-realization.

A leader must possess a calm mind which in the case of a failure will lead to a better stage of introspection & a better learning throughout the process providing where it actually went wrong, so that corrective measures can be taken to avoid any future shortcomings.

Another one of my followed verse which I want to quote is 

"VASAMSI JIRNANI YATHA

NAVANI GRHNATI NARO PARANI

TATHO SARIRANI VIHAYA JIRNANI

ANYANI SAMYATI NAVANI DEHI"

It means as a person switch to new clothes from the older ones, similarly the soul also changes the previous body which is old/useless & accepts the new materialistic one for better functioning.

Now how it is related to management aspects, strategizing is the key point in growth of a business & adaptation of new strategies by learnings from the shortcomings of the older ones can result in exceptional incline in the business growth curve. Acclimatizing to newer strategies going along with the changing market scenarios is the chief factor for any professional.

After Leadership Skills & Strategy next comes is the "GOALS AND THE WORK CULTURE", 

Any individual in the management ecosystem follows a particular set of goals and prefer a certain type of work culture in the organization which can be linked directly from the life goals defined by LORD KRISHNA himself. The life goals involves:-

•  DHARMA SANSTHAPANA- This conveys the meaning to establish & strengthen the righteousness along with the principles.

• PARITRAYANA SADHUNAM- This means protection & welfare for the good.

• VINASHAYA DUSHKRITAM- It depicts the destruction of the evil which in this case are thoughts and acts of an individual.

If all the above mentioned points are combined the verse is framed as 

"PARITRAYANA SADHUNAM VINASHAYA CA DUSHKRITAM 

DHARMASANSTHAPANA YUGE YUGE"

With these Goals mentioned by Lord Krishna what modern day managers can grab from the lines is that how to stay focused and justify the work in the respective field. Being goal oriented is a vital quality a management professional should imbibe for a better growth and learning in their field.

Coming to the Work Culture LORD KRISHNA mention 2 types of work culture which can be applied in the management ecosystem too, which are:-

• DAIVI SAMPAT-  It's simplified meaning is the  'divine spirit'  which can be compared to the divine work culture where dharma is given utmost priority and day to day activities are done in an ethical & righteous way. The goals which were mentioned above can be achieved if one is working in a divine work culture and can be formed as a sagacious manager.  The 'Daivi Sampat' in verse 4-21 of verse 16 of the BHAGAVAD GEETA includes "Purity of Heart, Amnesty, Lack of Malice, Knowledge, Modesty etc. which are supposed to be an integral part of an adequate work atmosphere.

•  ASURI SAMPAT- The term is derived from the word 'Asuri' which means 'war' or a 'demon' and 'Sampat' which means 'wealth' & 'perfection' which is called as 'demonical wealth'.  The 'Asuri Sampat' in verse 4-21 of verse 16 of the BHAGAVAD GEETA Includes "Absence of Discipline, Delusion, False Values, Vanity, Pretensions, Impurity etc. which are supposed to be excluded in the work atmosphere. The said demonic work culture involving the above mentioned traits makes it difficult to function properly and attain the set goals.

The last thing which sums up all the verses which devotes itself in only one task and that is decision making, the whole conversation brings down to one thing only which is of self-realization and making that one right decision which is required at that particular time. A decision no matter right or wrong can have a major impact on the upcoming future & things happen as a result of that one decision that one makes,

In management too a decision can change the fate of the organization as well as of the individuals. 

Few moments of a conversation can sum up a perfect life seems to be astonishing, but that's a fact every word has a strong meaning and if given a thought can have a major impact in the lives of all, specifically if we talk about the management ecosystem everything of the holy conversation can be linked in the activities and greater heights can be achieved flawlessly.