Ramayana for Managers

Ramayana as one of the most widely read Indian epics is not just a scholarly narration of the life and times of Lord Ram but also a treatise on Management, the most modern of the applied social sciences. It has lessons on politics, strategy, economics, values and ethics, leadership and even the recent subject areas like CSR. Quite a surprise  that it has not been considered as a text or even a reference in the course curriculum as suggested readings. In fact, this one piece of literature could offer valuable insights on different papers that are a part of a typical business school curriculum. While copious Western literature finds a place in a typical course structure of a business school program, Ramayan that can offer vital clues to management practice to the students of business schools is found missing. Anyone who has gone through the text of Ramayan, either Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas, or Valmiki Ramayan would know that crucial management lessons are offered in this Indian epic through the various role players like Lord Ram, his three younger brothers, his wife Sita and Hanuman. The best part of Ramayana is that the main lead played by Lord Ram provides immensely valuable insights into what ethical conduct is all about. Values and ethics these days is in focus as a part of the course curriculum in almost every business school as Business Organizations are emphasizing  ethics and Morality Quotient becomes a more important attribute of managers as compared to Intelligence Quotient. Lord Ram has led by example. He is an epitome of values and ethics and a role model to be emulated. He is also a picture of humility, commitment and character. Humility, it may be recalled, is a highly thought after managerial quality. Similarly, his brothers also show what ethical conduct is all about. These are the times when everyone is hankering for power and pelf. But here is a person who, despite being the legitimate heir to the throne, is magnanimous enough to let go the authority to rule just to keep his father’s words. The entire population of the kingdom wanted him to be the ruler. But he declined. The beauty of the whole Ramayana is that his younger brother Bharat, who was given the throne is equally unwilling to occupy the throne because he thinks it was not legitimate. Contrast this with present times. Ramayana also contains some very crucial lessons on state craft. In fact, the dialogue between the two brothers Ram and Bharat in Ayodhya kand is a treatise on administrative wisdom. No aspect of administration has been left out. The Valmiki Ramayana presents this very comprehensively. Duty, sacrifice, integrity, values and righteousness are reflected in behaviour of all leading characters. Not only this, there are strategy lessons to be picked up on teamwork, project management, human resource management and warfare. It will be an understatement to say that Ramayan is a text that contains lessons for management practitioners. In fact, Ramayan is a complete text on social sciences dealing with all aspects including economics, philosophy, politics and even commerce. Only we need to read it comprehensively and seriously.