bhagavad gīta – The Effective Management Tool
Written by: Sri Madhusudan Sai
Published as part of a weekly series of articles on the bhagavad-gītā in Top Story Newspaper
Even a little knowledge of this great Truth is enough to alleviate the greatest of fears; you will then be able to lead a life without fear of anything, anyone or any situation, including death – such is the power of the bhagavad-gītā, the sacred text from ancient India that is part of the epic Mahabharata. It consists of 700 verses divided into 18 chapters. The gītā is a conversation between Sri Krishna and the warrior Arjuna, which takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
The bhagavad-gītā is highly relevant in today’s world as it provides timeless wisdom and guidance for navigating the challenges of life. It provides valuable teachings on how to lead a balanced and purposeful life, regardless of one’s profession. It teaches about the importance of duty, selflessness, decision-making, and maintaining equanimity in the face of challenges, which are applicable to individuals from all walks of life. By understanding and practicing the teachings of the gītā, managers can cultivate qualities such as leadership, integrity, and compassion, which are essential for effective management.
In a world filled with stress, uncertainty, and moral dilemmas, the gītā offers practical solutions and insights which can help to cultivate inner strength, clarity of thought, and a deeper connection with oneself. The bhagavad-gītā is so clear, powerful, and practical. Its wisdom with remain with you and come to your rescue whenever you need.
The bhagavad-gītā is the best text for practical teaching and learning, which in today’s times is called ‘Design Learning or Design Thinking’, wherein students study the problems, explore solutions, and implement it.
Similarly, the bhagavad-gītā too is a design thinking envisaged by Sri Krishna. He designed and created a battlefield situation to teach Arjuna a great lesson when the latter wanted to run away without fighting the war. The teaching was very contextual and practical, practical even today. Krishna allows Arjuna to experience a dilemma; then, when he is ready to listen, Krishna teaches him the greatest truths of life.
Arjuna’s dilemma in the bhagavad-gītā reflects the dilemmas we often face in life. Arjuna was torn between his duty as a warrior and his attachment to his loved ones who were on the opposing side. Similarly, we often find ourselves torn between our responsibilities and our personal desires or attachments. The teachings of the bhagavad-gītā guide us to make decisions based on dharma, or righteousness, and to detach ourselves from the outcomes of our actions. By doing so, we can find clarity and make choices that align with our higher purpose.
What do we mean by higher purpose of birth or what is our higher purpose? It is to realise our true nature and attain spiritual enlightenment. According to the bhagavad-gītā, we are not just physical beings, but also spiritual beings with a divine essence within us. The purpose of our birth is to awaken to this truth, transcend our ego-driven desires, and realise our oneness with the Supreme Consciousness. By understanding and living in alignment with our true nature, we can experience inner peace, joy, and fulfillment. This realisation allows us to live a life of righteousness, selflessness, and service to others.