PRESENTATION

ON
BHAGWAT GITA FOR BUSINESS MOTIVATION

SUBMITTED BY
SATYAJEET MOHANTY
PGDM 2018-20
20180108
Bhagawad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, or Song of God, is one of the most revered of Hindu manuscripts. While
many believers date the text to over 5,000 years ago, some debate exists concerning its actual age.
Originally written in Sanskrit, the earliest English translation was written in 1785, with the oral
version of the manuscript believed by some to have been composed around 3100 B.C.E. (Hee
2007). The Western view is that the manuscript is much newer, nevertheless, it is considered by
all to be an ancient text, and one with a powerful influence on Hindus and others. The Bhagavad
Gita is part of a larger text, the Mahabharta, but is the most popular component of that larger text.
Essentially the book provides an account of a discussion between a prince named Arjuna and his
charioteer, Lord Krishna, who is the Hindu God Vishnu, taking human form. The battle which is
imminent has been caused by a dispute among two related kingdoms, the Pandav’s and the
Kaurava’s. Prince Arjuna is a member of the Pandava kingdom and must fight to regain land
stolen by the Kauravas years earlier. Arjuna asks Lord Krishna to raise him up above the
battlefield so that he can see the forces on both sides. When he sees relatives, teachers, and
friends on the opposing side and reflects on the death of these people, he is hesitant to engage in
battle, even though he knows he will win the battle since he has Lord Krishna on his side. Arjuna
questions Lord Krishna on the value of war, even when the outcome is known to be victorious,
when the death of relatives will result. Lord Krishna explains to Prince Arjuna why he must fight
and how his actions must be considered in the larger context of his role. The Bhagavad Gita, or
simply, the Gita, contains eighteen chapters which can be divided up into three parts: karma yoga
or selfless action, jnana yoga or self-knowledge, and bhakti yoga or ways of loving (Hee 2007).
The Bhagavad Gita represents the many struggles, or battles, modern day leaders face and their
responsibilities to multiple stakeholders. Some have even Journal of Behavioral Studies in
Business Expanding Managerial Consciousness, Page 3 proposed that the Bhagavad Gita is
useful for a better understanding of specific managerial issues such as quality management
(Sharma and Talwar 2004), however, this paper explores the value of the Gita in a larger
managerial context, focusing on issues facing organizational leaders. Hindu belief is sometimes
seen as a polytheistic religion in that Hindus are seen worshiping many gods.
Hinduism involves many deities and other manifestations of God, and in general is viewed as a
more holistic and complex approach to understanding individuals, organizations, the universe,
and the interconnections (Ashok and Thimmappa 2006). In reality, Hinduism believes in one
God with three parts, similar to the Christian belief of the Holy Trinity. In a simplified view of
Hindu belief, God consists of three manifestations, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Brahma is the
God of creation, Vishnu is the God of preservation, and Shiva is the God of destruction. Vishnu
can manifest Himself in many forms and return to earth when needed to maintain order. In some
ways he acts as a manager, leader, or consultant, in providing advice and direction in order to
maintaining operation of the worldly system. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is the manifestation
of Vishnu, and provides moral guidance and systemic understanding to Prince Arjuna.
Introduction

Bhagwat Gita as Business Motivation. Bhagwat gita helps to motivate leaders in Business.
Management Introduction In the today’s scenario management is the essential part of every one
life. Management is the getting things done through and with people, efficiently and effectively.
Management involves planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling human efforts.
Bhagavad Gita slokas by management view-The philosophy of Bhagavad Gita should not be
viewed from devotional perspectives only but also as a guide in developing managerial
effectiveness. The Bhagavad Gita was delivered by Sri Krishna to motivate Arjuna, who got
mentally disturbed upon seeing those near and dear ones whom he had to kill in the war of
Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna told him to perform his duty. In the eighteen chapters of Bhagavad
Gita, one discovers tremendous management guidelines which are applicable even today.

1. Planning 2. Organizing 3. Staffing 4. Directing 5. Controlling Planning

Planning is the basic function of every organization. Formulate strategies to achieve them.
Bhagavad Gita guide for developing managerial efficiency and effectiveness to achieve the
desired results.

Organising

The process of defining and grouping the activities of the enterprise. Bhagavad Gita turns human
beings weaknesses into strengths and shares the responsibilities among the people. International
Journal of Applied Research 2016; 2(4): 650-652 ~ 651 ~ International Journal of Applied
Research Staffing The selection and training of individual for specific job functions.
Most of the Business or Business Leaders are motivate by shlokas

“KarmanyeVadhikaraste Ma PhaleshuKadachana,

Ma Karma PhalaHeturBhurmaTeySangostvaAkarmani"

A lot has been said and heard about ‘karma’, but the true essence lies in these two simple lines.
Every entrepreneur should focus on their work i.e. karma without anticipating the result or
outcome. You should not concentrate so much on the final product and just enjoy the process of
reaching there. We get swayed by our vision and rely on its success too much. We forget it is
pivotal to enjoy the whole process rather than just hoping for something that you know is
anyway uncertain. Remember, having hopes or being optimistic is not wrong, but without
actions, your path will be dreadful.

The art lies in walking the tightrope and enjoy doing it. If the guy who walks the literal tightrope
is scared or too excited, he will certainly fall. The trick to his success is that he enjoys it while he
walks in order to reach the other end successfully.

“vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya

navani grhnati naro ’parani

tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany

anyani samyati navani

dehi”

It is easy to say versatility and adaptation are the keys to success. But the biggest lesson for any
entrepreneur is learning to adapt to changes quickly. Do not get stuck with your initial vision.
Learn to adapt, innovate and implore new opportunities. Pave your journey like a traveller, who
is not attached to the city he visits or the hotel he stays in but enjoys the experience of it all.

Do not be adamant; be innovative, open minded and ready to absorb experiences like a sponge.
The faster you adapt to a change, the better it is. Remember, change is the only constant.
“krodhaadbhavatisammohahsammohaatsmritivibhramah |
smritibhramshaadbuddhinaashobuddhinaashaatpranashyati ||”

It is imperative for all entrepreneurs to have control over their anger. With anger goes away our
ability to reason and we tend to become delusional. The confusion and chaos generated by anger
leads to memory loss. The individual is moved away from his purpose and goals. Anybody who
seems to have forgotten their goals or lost their clarity of thought cannot succeed. Therefore, it is
important for people to free themselves from anger. A simple solution to this problem is focus.
Never lose your focus and never underestimate the virtue of patience.

" tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samacara

asakto hy acaran karma param apnoti purushah "

Inculcate the habit of being open to everything and being attached to nothing. Attachment does
give strength to work and love beyond ourselves, but it also limits us and makes our journey and
growth difficult, especially if the object of our desire is taken away from us. Too much desire can
be bad, as it turns into greed. Greed takes you away from your true calling and dream, be it to
achieve, create or innovate.

Do not be super attached to your work, as it makes your journey as an entrepreneur difficult and
closed. You cannot wear binoculars and run the rat race. You have to keep an open mind about
the ever-evolving market changes, adapt to them. Keep a close eye on your goals but do not get
obsessive.

“dhumenavriyate vahnir yathadarso malena ca

yatholbenavrto garbhas tatha tenedam avrtam”

This simple shlok has the deepest meaning. It is like a dissuading curse – as everything pure has a
covering that can often be misleading. For example, fire is covered with smoke, which prevents
us from nearing it and if a mirror is covered in sheen, we cannot see what it is reflecting before
removing the sheen. Similarly knowledge is covered with desire that we must ignore or get rid of.
We must ignore the curtain of desire in order to imbibe knowledge that will help us grow.
This isn’t as easy as it looks but wise man is one who knows what to avoid and what to select.
 Management guidelines from
the Bhagavad Gita
There is an important distinction between
effectiveness
and efficiency in managing.
• Effectiveness is doing the right things.
• Efficiency is doing things right.
The general principals of effective
management can be
applied in every field
The differences being more in application
than in
principal.
 Work
Commitment
• A popular verse of the Gita advises
`detachment' from the fruits or results of actions
performed in the course of one's duty. If we are
always calculating the date of promotion or the
rate of commission before putting in our efforts,
then such work is not detached.

• Some people might argue that not seeking the

business result of work and actions, makes one
unaccountable. In fact, the Bhagavad Gita is
full of advice on the theory of cause and effect,
making the doer responsible for the
consequences of his deeds.
Management guidelines
from the Bhagavad Gita
Conti…
The Manager's functions can be
summed up as:
• Forming a vision.
• Planning the strategy to realise
• the vision.
• Cultivating the art of leadership.
• Establishing institutional
• excellence.
• Building an innovative
• organisation.
• Developing human
resources.
Building teams and
teamwork.
Delegation, motivation, and
communication.
The Ultimate Message of
Gîta for Managers

• The despondency of Arjuna in the first chapter of the Gita

is typically human. Sri Krishna, by sheer power of his
inspiring words, changes Arjuna's mind from a state of
inertia to one of righteous action, from the state of what
the French philosophers call `anomie` or even alienation,
to a state of self-confidence in the ultimate victory of
`dharma' (ethical action).

• When Arjuna got over his despondency and stood ready

to fight, Sri Krishna reminded him of the purpose of his
new-found spirit of intense action - not for his own
benefit, not for satisfying his own greed and desire, but
for the good of many, with faith in the ultimate victory of
ethics over unethical actions and of truth over untruth.
Most of the Business leaders
are motivated by B.G
1. Ratan Tata – chairman of tata Group
2. Aditya Birla- chairman of Birla
Group
3. Rajat Gupta- CEO of mcKinsey & co.
4. Sunil Bharti Mittal- chairman of
Bharti Enterprises
5. Ajay Piramal- chaiman of piramal
Group
5 Management Strategies Entrepreneurs in Business Can Learn from Lord
Krishna

Energize Others and Keep them Motivated

Being Draupadi’s friend and Arjuna’s counsel in the Mahabharatha, Krishna’s words motivated
them to fight their own battles. When Draupadi was forced to marry five men, Krishna provided
her the mental strength to come to terms with her fate.

Also, when Arjuna breaks down in the battlefield saying he can’t fight with his own kin, Krishna
like a true war lord and commander motivated him to go ahead. Lord Krishna told Arjuna, “O
mighty-armed Arjuna, it is undoubtedly that mind is very difficult to curb & is restless, but it is
possible by suitable practices of meditation and by detachment.”

Even in today’s morally ambiguous world, we all come across a situation where we lose all
hopes. But the practice of inspiring people and infusing hope to do well makes up for a good
piece of advice for entrepreneurs as well. A good leader can boost employee morale to get
cracking on any challenging task or project.

Learn to Accommodate with Changes

As some leaders are reluctant to change their ways and ideologies and end up getting struck amid
difficulties, this excerpt comes as a great lesson for them.

In the 14.13 excerpt of Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna, “Arjuna, when inertia is
predominant; ignorance, inactivity, carelessness, and delusion arise.” Change is the rule of life,
and adding excitement to your activities helps give a boost. Leaders should imbibe this practice
to be successful in the long-run.

Never Give in to Stress

In today’s hectic schedule with people snapping at each other because of mounting stress and
intolerance, these words by Lord Krishna ring truer than ever. In an excerpt of Bhagwad Gita,
Krishna says, “The one by whom others are not agitated and who is not agitated by others, who
is free from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety, is also dear to Me.”

This is another lesson for business leaders. A calm human mind can do wonders. Worrying
excessively for anything is injurious. Sometimes people keep adding a lot of work in their kitty
than what they can do. A peace of mind can improve the quality of your work. Therefore, one
should get rid of over-thinking to manage things in life in a better and effective way.

Get Good in Direction and Controlling

The importance of appropriate work allocation and team work can be understood in the best way
through this excerpt of Bhagavad Gita.

When it was about controlling the army of Kauravas, which was three times bigger
than Pandavas, Lord Krishna’s great management and controlling skills helped Arjuna and his
brothers to win the battle.

Business leaders should pick up an important lesson to manage their team in the most effective
manner like this.