Management Education Lessons From the Bhagavad GITA

Abstract

Management education, as a discipline of higher education for business leaders, managers and administrators, aims to develop knowledge, improve communication skills to influence team members and key decision makers, coordinate and implement organizational goals, evolve in an ever changing environment and make decisions effectively and efficiently. Good management results in greater satisfaction for all stakeholders. Modern Management education was established in the West way back in early 1800s and gained popularity. However, even after several years of management training there are many issues which still need to be addressed including how to effectively deal with people around us, motivate the workforce, doing work efficiently, building leadership qualities and creating organizations that live long. Organizations experience conflict while trying to achieve the overall objectives along with ensuring quality of life and work life balance for employees working in these organizations. There are larger issues facing the world today like climate change, environment degradation and sustenance of firms. The Bhagavad Gita, is a universal scripture and a comprehensive philosophical thought for all humankind. . Bhagavad Gita’s teachings give different paths of self-realization which lead to the spiritual goal of liberation of the soul. It provides two types of knowledge-physical which includes arts, science, management and the other spiritual-of mind, body and soul. Bhagavad Gita, throws light on managerial techniques which lead to resolving conflicts, increase productivity, build motivation and work ethics. The management concepts of vision, planning, leadership, motivation, achieving excellence, attaining goals are taken up at the foundation level of human intellect. Bhagavad Gita provides a holistic understanding of man-material life, principles of management and core management practices. The core lessons of the Bhagavad Gita include action, renunciation, love, worship, wisdom, and knowledge. Bhagavad Gita, with a universal appeal serves as a guide to questions raised by Management specially in today’s rapidly challenging environment fraught with uncertainty, obstacles, need for diversity and inclusion along with need to bridge the skill gap. Management education lessons and management principles based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita have been have been analysed and interpreted in detail using the theoretical perspective of hermeneutical interpretation of historical scripture to develop an insight into the philosophy of Bhagavad Gita.