teaching is addressed is a representative One of the greatest contributions of India man, and the problem that he faced arose to the world is Holy Gita which is at a certain height of ethical concern in the considered to be one of the first revelations midst of an actual and symbolic battlefield from God. The eighteen chapters of the (Kurukshetra, which is also Dharmakshetra). Bhagavad-Gita are found in the Bhisma-parva (23-40), of Mahabharata which was The Gita gives answers for any problem in compiled by Veda Vyasa. Let me bow with any relationship. The best philosophy, folded hands to Indian Maharishi Veda spirituality, psychology, religion and yoga Vysa, who contributed to the world the are contained in the Gita. It begins with Sri “supreme knowledge” through his writings Krishna teaching the essence of human on various sacred texts. Gita is one of the being that he is not the body but the most popular and accessible of all Indian immortal soul. The ancient science of life is scriptures, which is to be studied by anyone called the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita from the interested in Indian philosophy. The Gita great country India that invented the teaches how one’s aim in life can be number zero. All dimensions of human life achieved; howsoever it may be difficult, by have been explained in this. Bhagavad-Gita doing his duty with devotion, and has, for more than five millennia, served as meditation, integrating many different a guide to liberation through a life of threads of Indian philosophy. It gives knowledge, devotion, and action without correct solution to all the problems in aiming the fruits of attachment to results. human life. One has to do his duty as The Gita teaches the first masterly attempt mother looks after a child. Among all the at harmony and synthesis. Its concern is to sacred texts of India, the Gita greatly help us get out of the problems that we influenced the east and the west. Many ourselves have created in our own minds. philosophers, transcendentalists were The influence of this most renowned of all deeply influenced by its insights, and the Indian scriptures has spread far beyond thousands of individuals struggling with its religion of origin to inspire figures as many problems have found comfort and diverse as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph wisdom in its pages. The greatest Waldo Emerson, Aldus Huxley, C. G. Jung, significance of the Gita lies in the fact that Max Muller and Charles Wilkins who first it proposes a solution to a central typical translated to English in 1784.Their problem of human life that presents itself translations stand out from all the others at a certain critical stage of development. first of all for its careful faithfulness to the
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original language, but also for the extensive realisation, and each one individually can tools for understanding. Sri Sanakacharya face all the obstacles necessary to make the great philosopher of India said that, in one’s realisation perfect. Always one will the 15th chapter, the meaning of not only see that within him the shadow & the light the entire Gita, but also all that is known are equal: you have ability; you have also in the entirety of the Vedas, is presented the negation of this ability. But if one briefly and completely. The Gita teaches the discover a very black hole, a thick shadow, philosophy of human psychology, how to be sure there is somewhere in him a great operate in the world. During times of light. It is up to him to know how to commotion we may feel unsure, fearful, understand the one to realise the other. tense and confused. It comes into our life and gives us spiritual perspective to our Their followers in their respective attitudes, behaviour and personality. . establishment are continuing their mission Almost al the freedom fighters of India by keeping this lantern burning always strongly believed that they got inspirations knowing the wishes of the modern and motivation from Gita. generations. They stress the importance of spiritual and ethical values for corporate The spiritual philosophy and management and personal success. Maharishi interprets lessons in this holy book were brought in the Indian philosophy, religion and culture to light of the world by saints, philosophers for modern day managers so that they may and other eminent personalities and they attain excellence in whatever work they are call the Bhagavad-Gita the essence of Vedic engaged. In the Gita Krishna says: “Change Literature and a complete guide to practical your attitude toward work. When you life. Through the centuries, the sublime and change your attitude (not geared toward ennobling counsel of the Gita has endeared rewards) and continue to do your work, you it to truth-seekers of East & West alike. It are able to unfold your inner potential and provides “all that is needed to raise the that is freedom and that is happiness all of personality of man to the highest possible us are seeking. Otherwise we come to a level” and self improvement which means state where we are just for the gross self guided improvement in physical, rewards. Swami Vivekananda said that mental, social, spiritual and emotion. Its system of education should aim at character gospel of devotion to duty, without building, achieving strength of mind, attachment, has shown the way of life for expansion of intellect and then only one can all men, rich or poor, learned or ignorant, stand on one’s own feet. Those people can who have sought for light in life. Energy bring a lasting and transformative effect and exists in all human beings to fulfil the will be assets for their family, society and purpose of the aim of the life. We expect nation. energy to get task done. The Lord Krishna reveals the deep, universal truths of life that Arjuna got mentally depressed in the battle speak to the needs and aspirations of field when he saw his relatives with whom everyone which is relevant even today in he has to fight. (Mental health has become Gita. One has a special mission, a special a major international public health concern now). On the eve of battle Arjuna is filled
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with deep misgivings; he feels to kill his Gita will lead you to God both the relatives and friends would be a great sin. intellectual way and the devotional way. Lord Krishna says O Arjiuna from where has this delusion come? How could this Today there are innumerable professionals delusion come upon a great person such as and industrialists who are great achievers, you, obstructing the path to heaven? O have great social prestige yet do not enjoy Arjuna give up this faint-heartedness. This life. On the other hand, there are many who kind of mental weakness is unbecoming to are contended and happy but are not a strong person such as you, shake it off. achievers. What is needed today is a Arise and fight. (Gita 2-.2&3). Arjuna said combination of these two qualities. One that now I am confused about my duty and should be a great achiever and at the same have lost all composure because of miserly time should live a peaceful life and it can weakness. In this condition I am asking You be assured that a study of Gita will serve to tell me for certain what is best for both these purposes. me.(Gita 2-7). Now I am Your disciple, and Indian Vedic contribution is a reservoir of a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct Vibrant Information and Harmonious me. Sri Krishna says that you speak like a Creativity. May the womb of nature wise person but grieving over something, embrace all with tranquil blessings from this the wise do not grieve for. (Gita.2-11). day forward? Let this attract one’s attention Furthermore the death of the body does not affecting them positively. It is a sanctuary harm the soul, as the immortal quote of the of the self a creative venue which serves as Gita runs. To motivate him the Bhagavad- an enduring expression of lightness, where Gita is preached in the battle field a peaceful atmosphere with sunlight flows Kurukshetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as and serene atmosphere prevail. counselling to do his duty while multitudes of men stood by waiting. Arjuna face the In the storm of life we struggle through problem of conflict between emotions and myriads of stimuli of pressure, stress, and intellect. Gita teaches Honesty, Sincerity, and multi problems that seek for a solution and Truthfulness etc. Gita also shows how answer. We are so suppressed by the challenge as an opportunity to find the way to routine of this every life style that most of success, it only depends on you and you are your us seem helpless. However, if we look own alchemist. closely to ancient techniques we shall The Gita was delivered by Sri Krishna to discover the magnificent way to understand boost Arjuna’s declining morale, motivation, and realize the ones around us and mostly confidence and to increase his effectiveness. ourselves. If only we could stop for a The Gita contains the unwritten laws of the moment and allow this to happen. May all universe. So if you study the same in a beings be happy (Loka Samastha Sukhino logical manner, you will achieve salvation. Bhavanthu) is the essence of Indian But on the other hand if you are a devotee philosophy? of Lord Krishna and read it with devotion, The ancient Indian philosophy of keeping then also you will achieve salvation. So, the mind and body for the well being has
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entered the managerial, medical and judicial goals, and guiding others to accomplish domain of the world. Today it has found its them. It also asserts thatleadership must be place as an alternative to the theory of more facilitative, participative and modern management and also as a means empowering in how visions and goals are to bring back the right path of peace and established and carried out. prosperity for the human beings. One of the biggest problems that we are Introduction facing in our daily life, professional work and personal life is that we don’t seem to In this modern world the art of enjoy what we are doing. Today the Management has become a part and parcel children say “I am bored”. Young of everyday life, be it at home, in the office professionals want to adopt the western or factory and in Government. In all model of “weekend getaway”. We need organizations, where a group of human weekend getaways if work is perceived as beings assemble for a common purpose drudgery and an avoidable aspect of our irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, life. Such a perspective can never get the management principles come into play best from work place that modern business through the management of resources, management is worried about. What is this finance and planning, priorities, policies and boredom? Why does it happen? Because practice. Management is a systematic way we don’t enjoy what we are doing, we get of carrying out activities in any field of bored. Stress management is a big issue human effort. Management is a continuing today. Today’s life is so, that everyone feels process, and managers are always involved to be very busy in this hectic day to day life. in some way with the principles of: We all are very busy at our work place & planning, organizing, influencing, in our home life also. In this busy life, we controlling and decision making. These face lot of tensions and our mind is full of principles are designed to help managers stress all the time. We forget about the true accomplish organizational objectives, and happiness in life and how it can be attained. good managers will use them. These principles are not isolated but are Sukhaduhkhe same kritwaa laabhaalaabhau interwoven throughout the manager’s jayaajayau; thoughts and actions. Tato yuddhaaya yujyaswa naivam Managers must combine and coordinate paapamavaapsyasi. (Gita.2.38) these principles and must maximize their value to achieve their goals. Managers Having made pleasure and pain, gain and strive to be effective and efficient and these loss, victory and defeat the same, engage principles help them. These management thou principles are universal and applicable to all in battle for the sake of battle; thus thou types of businesses and organizations. shall not incur sin. Management need to focus more on leadership skills e.g.: establishing vision Generally people think that earning lot’s of and goals, communicating the vision and money and enjoying it, is the aim of life and
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they think that can give them happiness in happens” is the basis for stress life. In our life we either run after money management. We do not seem to address or we try to make our near and dear ones why one should get stressed in the first happy in life. Money and material things place. may give us joy at present but when these material things are not in our life, due to Gita also offers perspectives on how to one reason or the other, much pain comes manage certain things in life, understand in our life. Same is the case with human complex things that we go through in relations. Till the time these relations are simple terms (just as the example of birth with you, they may give you joy for the and death). It also offers direct ideas and time being. But in the absence of these sets us in a state of contemplation. The Gita relations our mind feels pain & sorrow. We can be compared to a wish fulfilling tree. all know that we have come to this world Whatever we seek to learn, we can get it alone & shall leave this world alone only. from the Gita. Each person who reads the Whatever things we acquire or whatever Gita, can understand it from a different relations we make on this world stage is level. It can give lessons to a beginner as only in between your birth and death. Some well as a pundit. Based on the state of day, these things or relations shall leave you feelings, each person can understand the within this lifetime or ultimately you have Gita depending on the stage that they have to leave all these in the end. reached in the spiritual path. There is plenty of water in an ocean, but what you can Any infatuation to material things or bring away from it depends on the size of relations is going to give you pain only, the vessel that you take. Similarly the whenever, separation shall occur from these messages will be vast but what we get from one day. Unless one seeks a perfect and it depends on our capacity to absorb. The permanent thing in life, he will not be able basic message of the Gita is the same and to find perfect love in life. Most of the its purpose is to transform humanity to knowledge and help we get from the divinity. We should therefore not take such modern day thinking is to suppress or a book lightly. We should approach it with divert our attention from the issue of stress. devotion and commitment and not only try They implicitly operate with an assumption to learn the teachings, but more importantly that stress will be inevitably generated and strive to practice it. Only then we can attain the solution lies in doing something about fulfilment in our lives. By repeated reading it once we are stressed. “Let us kill it or run and studying only we can achieve this. away from it by some means after it
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Some people assert that this really isn’t a planning is a process. It is the first change in the management functions rather management principle that must be it’s re-emphasizing certain aspects of developed and all the others are interrelated management. Management is creative to it. It is the foundation for success. problem solving method. This creative problem solving is accomplished through Samuel Certo, in the Principles of Modern four functions of management: planning, Management, suggests there are six steps in organizing, leading and controlling. The the planning process: 1) Stating intended result is the use of an organizational objectives – the objectives organization’s resources in a way that must be clear for proper planning; 2) Listing accomplishes its mission and objectives. alternative ways of reaching objectives – a Socio technical systems approach; technical manager should list several available systems such as production and office alternatives; 3) Develop premises upon operation have great effect on social system which each alternative is based – these such as premises are assumptions and these personal. This concept places importance on assumptions will help you work through labour and lower-level office work and the alternatives; 4) Choosing the best ignores other managerial knowledge. In this alternative for concept managing is treated as reaching objectives – evaluate the mathematical processes. It is viewed as a alternatives based on your assumptions and purely logical process and is expressed in choose; 5) Develop plans to pursue the mathematical symbols and relationships. chosen alternative – a manager should Managing is not a pure science and hence develop strategic and tactical plans; and 6) cannot be completely modelled. Just as Putting the plans into action – organization human body is formed of different can not benefit until the plans are put into interdependent systems so is also an action; both short plans and long range organization. A change in any one of these plans. systems may affect all or some other systems to varying degrees. This ‘ripple Its task is to make people capable of joint effect’ influences the effectiveness of the performance, to make their weaknesses organization. To understand the interactions irrelevant, says the Management Guru Peter and the consequences between the various Ducker whose career as a writer, consultant systems of the organization the managers and teacher spanned more than six decades. should posses the ability to get a His groundbreaking work turned modern perspective view. management theory into a serious discipline, and he influenced or created Treating an organization as formed of nearly every facet of its application, different systems is known as systems including corporate social responsibility, approach. Systems theory was first applied decentralization, privatization, and in the fields of science and engineering. It empowerment, and has coined such terms also has found wide acceptance in the as the “knowledge worker.” It creates practice of management. Successful harmony in working together - equilibrium
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in thoughts and actions, goals and only spiritual enlightenment but also the art achievements, plans and performance, of self management, conflict , stress, anger products and markets. It resolves situations management, transformational leadership, of scarcity, be they in the physical, technical motivation, goal setting and many others or human fields, through maximum aspects of management which can be used utilization with the minimum available as a guide to increase HRM effectiveness. processes to achieve the goal. Leadership is Unlike the western approach to HRM, lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the which focuses in exploring the external raising of a person’s performance to a world of matter and energy, the Bhagavad- higher standard, the building of a Gita recommends a HRM approach, which personality beyond its normal limitations. focuses on exploring the inner world of the self. This approach emphasized that a manager and a subordinate would get together and HRM can understand from Gita the set goals with the understanding that organizational behaviour in terms of the achieving these goals would be a major reciprocal causation among the employee factor in evaluating the subordinate’s job (unique personality characteristics). Because performance. This approach was supposed of these combined reciprocal influences, to begin at the top of the organization and employees are at the same time both all the way through it. Therefore, it was the products and producers of their personality, achievement of these objectives that would their behaviours, and their respective determine the success or failure of an environments. They can suggest that the organization. Obviously, the better these implications that self-efficacy may have for objectives and goals were stated and then employee performance in organizations can subsequently accomplished the more likely no longer be ignored by practicing the organization would succeed. Lack of managers. They contend that while management causes disorder, confusion, traditional motivational and behavioural wastage, delay, destruction and even management approaches are still relevant, depression. Managing men, money and expanding the behavioural management materials in the best possible way, according approach with CSR and self-efficacy will to circumstances and environment, is the lead to the more comprehensive most important and essential factor for a understanding and effective management of successful management. Gita gives answer today’s human resources. to all these points. The discoveries of modern science only demonstrate the truth HR managers need good ‘people’ skills and intuitively arrived at by meditation by the require the confidence and communication ancient saints of India and confirm their skills to deal in a calm and tactful manner doctrines. with a variety of situations, balancing the needs of the individual employee against The Bhagavad-Gita was delivered by Sri the business interests of the organisation. Krishna to boost Arjuna’s declining morale, You may be required to operate in stressful motivation, confidence and to increase his situations when handling issues such as (Arjuna) effectiveness. Sri Krishna gave not
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discipline, redundancy or the personal the permanent and unchanging being. The problems of individual employees, so you four goals of human life — doing one’s would need a measure of resilience and an duty, earning wealth, material and sensual understanding of the importance of enjoyment, and attaining salvation — were confidentiality. Accuracy, attention to detail, designed in the Vedic tradition for gradual co-operation and teamwork are as important and systematic growth of the individual and as a fair and objective attitude. Good spoken the progress of society and written communication skills are essential to avoid errors and After, hearing Bhagavad-Gita, Arjuna got misunderstandings when dealing with motivated, energized and acted according employees’ personal details. to Sri Krishna’s instruction. This is transformation management (leadership), as Management guidelines from Bhagavad- quoted by great management gurus who Gita explained what happened after the Bhagavad- Gita. He (Arjuna) stood steady on the One should do one’s duty equipoise or with ground with bow and arrow in hand. He the equanimity of mind renouncing the lifted his arms ready to fight the war. Sri fruits of action. O Arjuna, you have a certain Krishna demonstrated transformational HR authority over an action you perform but leadership qualities in developing and you do not have an absolute authority over guiding Arjuna to victory in the war. the fruit it yields. Neither accepts inaction Transformational leaders (HR managers) as the way of life, nor let the fruit be the exhibit charisma, encourage followers to motive behind performing an action (Gita question their own way of doing things, and 2.47). If one does one’s duty efficiently and treat followers differently but equitably with single minded devotion, without any based on follower need. Modern HR fear of success or failure in his/her managers and consultants can benefit from endeavour, then certainly that person shall the philosophy of Bhagavad-Gita, which can succeed in his/her work. His/her mind serve as a guide in HRM. Mere imitation of shall be at peace & ease while doing such western HRM approaches may not be work without any fear of success or failure. appropriate in the Indian (Asian) context Any person, whose mind is at peace, due to differences in the cultural certainly works effectively. The Gita environment. Many new western HRM conceives reality as that which never approaches will continue to emerge, changes. The ego, being subject to change, however the Bhagavad-Gita has remained is unreal; so also are all its objects. Hence and will remain to be relevant and continue Sri Krishna asks Arjuna to transcend the to contribute to HRM for many centuries to dualities of experience like heat and cold, come. pain and pleasure, and identify himself with