FOUNDATION OF INDIAN CULTURE:

APPLICATIONS OF ANCIENT INDIAN WISDOM/TEACHINGS IN

MANAGEMENT (MID-TERM)

SUBMITTED TO- PROF. NARENDRA JOSHI

SUBMITTED BY- ADITI JHUNJHUNWALA
ANCHAL GUPTA
MUSKAN SONI
RAJVI VIRANI
YASHVI BANSAL
[BBA(B) 2018-21]

History
In the recent world, management is the foundation of an organization and one
of the most important aspects of development. Theory and history both occupy
important positions in the fields of management and organization.
Management is not a new term or skill. It has always been an integral part of
civilizations around the world. The management found their place in ancient
texts and scriptures. Thousands of years ago, Bhagvat Gita inspired us with
management skills. In Bhagvat Gita, we refer to the state of affairs of harmony
and happiness, which replace conflicts, tensions and reduce low productivity.
Since the ancient Harapan period, management has been its stronghold and is a
continuous process, which is still in the development stage. Management is a
skill as old as civilization, and it is constantly changing.
Religious books such as the Vedas, Hindu epics, Puranas, Buddhism and Jain
scriptures, as well as the accounts of foreign travelers, give us a glimpse of
ancient management. Rigveda and later Vedas gave a vivid description of
ancient management skills and their evolution. Chandragupta Maurya's prime
minister, Kautilya, is known for his administrative skills, and it can be said to
be Chankya, which has laid the foundation for Indian management.
Management in Ancient Scriptures :
The Ramayana- The Ramayana is primarily written as a biography of Lord
Rama, who ruled with great justice and equity to ensure protection and
prosperity of his subject. Besides management, Ramayana also encompasses
religion, international relation, wars, treaties, administration, collection of
revenue, rules of taxation, agriculture, etc.Ramayana’s insight into human
nature and its immensely practical advice would provide great benefit and
guidance to the present day managers.
 Dharmic management- Dharma is what defines managers, giving them
strength, character, attitude and inner core. Sri Rama is the very
embodiment of Dharma, Honesty, justice, straightforwardness and
sincerity are only modifications or expressions of dharma.
 Dharmic management considers each organisation as a single living
entity.The dharma constitutes the character of the organisation.
 Dharmic management calls upon to have strong character and ethical
values and the organisation in its struggle for high character and values
can rely upon the collective potential power and capacity of its
employees to fight against evil forces.
Business organisations are considered to be a social system or more
appropriately as a social organism.
Indian management system recognises four goals of life
 Dharma (morally correct behavior)
 Artha (economic pursuits)
 Karma (desire or need fulfilment)
 Moksha (emancipation)

The Bhagwad Gita- It has got all the management tools to provide the mental
equilibrium and to overcome any crisis situations through an inspirational
message taken from it.
Bhagwad Gita deals with men at work. Work may be relatable to any profession
or field. Bhagwad Gita prescribes that meditation, ritual workshop and prayer
serve as a conduit for a man's spiritual growth, development on one hand and
for improving his work efficiency resulting in social welfare on the other.

There are four aspects of the definition of work that Lord Krishna articulates.
 Doer has the right to work.
 Doer has no control over the outcomes
 Doer has no control over the root cause of the fruits of action.
 There is no choice to wallow in inaction
 Principles Practised in Indian Management:
1. Each soul can achieve anything : a human being has the immense
potential power or energy for self-development. Thus, human
efforts are able to do even an apparently an impossible goal and
convert into a reality.

2. Holistic approach: This holistic view was articulated in ancient

times in terms of a balanced approach to Dharma, Artha, Kama and
Moksha. In contemporary language it implies a balanced approach to
combing per capita income and per capita happiness through a proper
balancing between profit, competition ,justice ,rights and duties.

3.Equal importance to everyone and everything: intangible subject and

gross tangible objects are equally important.

4.Self-Development : an honest pathway for self-development,

individual also as collective growth and welfare, minimum play of
passion, jealousy, hatred, greed, anger and arrogance, solidarity ,
teamwork, autonomous management, minimum control and
supervision, is important.

5. Self-motivation: It indicates excellence at work through self-

motivation and self-development with devotion and without
attachment.

6. Co-operation : Co-operation may be a powerful instrument for

teamwork and success in any enterprise involving collective work.

Conclusion-
The social system requires management policies and practices that are
compatible with cultural values and work level expectations. Indian
management spirit can help establish an effective and comprehensive
management model to ensure overall growth in productivity, marketing and
profitability.
This will help to synchronize private and public interests and encourage
individuals to lead a rich quality of life .The best form of management must
be holistic and value-driven. This is the goal of the Indian management
spirit.