Management Lessons from Mahabharata for corporate
Jambunathan Iyer
Important Management Lessons from Mahabharata
Mahabharata,
the biggest epic ever written ages ago. It’s said that whatever is not there in
the Mahabharata, cannot be found anywhere else. The legendary tale continues to
find prominence in every form of art and continues to overwhelm us even today.
Mahabharata story has so much to teach us. There are a lot of skills and
lessons we can learn from Mahabharata.
The
corporate world is one of the best places where the ethics from the epic can be
easily applied. Mahabharata is the perfect guide be it for managing business
relationships or achieving goals!
Here are few lessons that we can learn from the epic.
1) *Right Leadership and Mentorship*
Kauravas had a one-man leadership hierarchy. The whole of the army was under one person’s command. On the other hand, Pandavas had different generals directing the operations and had authority to take decision. The Pandavas had Lord Krishna, and the Kauravas had Karna. However, Duryodhana was really weak without Karna.
Shri
Krishna’s help in mentoring was one of the significant parameters that led to
the success of Pandavas.
2) *Target and Smart Strategy*
At
the end, War was the target for both Kauravas and Pandavas. Karna went to
subdue other kings so that Kauravas may get wealth. On the other hand, Arjuna,
Bheema and Yudhishthira set out to acquire Divyastras, strength and strategic
wisdom. If Pandavas didn’t have Krishna and his master plan, they wouldn’t have
witnessed the victory they did.
3) *Learning and Development*
Arjuna
grasped whatever came his way. Not only did he learn the best of military
science from Drona, but he was also interested in learning about divine weapons
from Indra. Also, he treated Yudhishter and Krishna as his mentors too, and
continued learning whatever they had to offer.
4) *Commitment and Common Goal*
In
Kauravas side everyone had personal bias. On the other side, Pandavas were
committed wholeheartedly and were willing to achieve the common goal. The
Pandavas never stopped fighting for what rightfully belonged to them. Their
courage and determination is definitely something to admire and learn from.
5) *Participation of Women*
Pandavas
always gave respect to women and their decisions. Kunti, Draupadi, Subhadra are
few influencing female characters in Mahabharata. On the other side, Kauravas
were all patriarchal structure. Gandhari was not heard and there was no
participation of women in decision-making.
In addition we can also learn few Life Lessons Learnt From The
Characters Of The Mahabharata
The
*Mahabharata is a Smriti text - It was written as remembered*.
The *Gita, a part of The Mahabharata, is a Shruti text - It was heard as spoken by Lord Krishna*.
Both
the texts have a lot to teach us, qualities that one can imbibe in one’s
personal conduct and perhaps, in one's life.
Here is a list of ten characters and what we can learn from what
was once remembered by Vyasa and what was once heard by Arjuna.
1.
Krishna taught us that one must perform his duty.
2. From Duryodhana, we learnt that ' pride comes before the fall .'
3. Karna taught us about the virtue of kindness.
4. Draupadi taught us how we should think before we speak.
5. Shakuni's resolution to take revenge lead to the destruction of the Kuru clan. Revenge consumes all!
6. Abhimanyu's brave yet tragic breaking of the "Chakravyuh" teaches us how half knowledge can be dangerous.
7. Arjuna taught us how single-minded focus can help achieve one's goals.
8. Yudhishtra taught us two things. Righteousness is useless unless paired with foresight.
9. Yudhishtra taught us virtues are something everyone should try and emulate. Yet, in a fit of hubris and greed, not to gamble.
10. The consequences of Dhritarashtra's actions taught us how one should not be blinded by love.
In
addition I also attach a PPT file briefing the above for my Friends Use
N Jambunathan Chennai
" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things "