Bhagavad Gita, business, leadership (Karma Yoga)

1. Introduction. The importance of Nishkama Karma
2. Motivation and self-transcendence: from motivation theory to inspiration theory
3. Organizational culture: daivi sampat and asuri sampat
4. Work results:
   1. Detachment Theory of Extrinsic Work Rewards
   2. Lokasamgraha (general welfare)
   3. Importance of Bhakti Yoga
   4. Cause and effect of Karma Dharma
5. Corporate social responsibility
6. Conclusion

1. Introduction. Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam (“The world is a family”)
2. Some reference works. Research methodology
3. Ethics in marketing and the Bhagavad Gita. Karma Yoga
   1. Karma Yoga (Swami Vivekananda)
4. Value orientation
5. Guidance to interested parties
6. Process orientation
7. Marketing myths and the Bhagavad Gita. Karma Yogi, Bhakta Yogi and Jnani Yogi
8. Conclusion

1. Introduction
2. The Bhagavad Gita as a source of inspiration and ethical guide for the company
3. Courage, entrepreneurial spirit and pride
4. The Yoga of equanimity and detachment
5. The mantra for innovation
6. Benefits and Yajna. Welfare of humanity (lokahita)
7. Be effective and efficient
8. Holistic decision making
9. Karma Yoga and work

1. Gandhi's influence on Dr. Yusuf Hamied (Muslim)
2. Srichand Hinduja: application of Vedic principles of work
3. Ghanshyam Das “GD” Birla: great friend of Gandhi
4. Senapathy (Kris) Gopalakrishnan (Infosys): Philanthropy and Bhagavad Gita
5. Shri Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries): example of leadership according to the Bhagavad Gita and influence of Swami Vivekananda
6. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: affordable prices for cancer and diabetes patients

Subject outline

Bhagavad Gita, business and leadership

Although the Bhagavad Gita was written thousands of years ago, it enlightens people about management techniques, taking them away from conflicts, tensions, low productivity, lack of motivation, etc., and leading them towards a state of bliss and harmony. The modern Western concepts of vision management, leadership, motivation, work excellence, goal achievement, meaningful work, decision making and planning are expounded in the Bhagavad Gita.

However, while Western management too often deals with problems at a material, external and peripheral level, the Bhagavad Gita addresses them at the root of human thought. Once people's basic thinking is “improved”, the quality of their actions will automatically improve.

If people assimilated the ideas of the Bhagavad Gita they could access a broader spectrum of lokasamgraha (general well-being):

But there is also another dimension of work ethic: if Karma Yoga (service) is combined with Bhakti Yoga , then work itself becomes worship, a sevayoga (service for its own sake). Along with Bhakti Yoga as a means of liberation, the Bhagavad Gita adopts the doctrine of Nishkama Karma (pure action) without being contaminated by the desire for the fruits resulting from that action.

When Arjuna overcame his despondency and was ready to fight, Sri Krishna reminded him of the purpose of his new spirit of intense action, which was not for his own benefit, nor to satisfy his own greed or desire, but for the good of all, with faith in the final victory of ethics over unethical actions and truth over falsehood. Regarding temporary failure, Sri Krishna says:

«..For no one who does good, O My beloved one, will have a sad end» Bhagavad Gita 6-40.

The Bhagavad Gita is not only a sacred book to achieve spiritual liberation (Moksha Shastra). Its importance as a reference for facing ethical problems in the daily struggles of life, both for people and for businessmen and leaders, has become increasingly evident.

Today's extremely competitive business environment, based on capitalism, globalization and digitalization, is very similar to the Kurukshetra battlefield where the battle of the Bhagavad Gita takes place.

The principles of Karma Yoga, detachment, the Yoga of Equanimity, or common well-being are perfectly applicable in any company in any country in the world

Applications of Karma Yoga is in companies. The Gita Institute has prepared a series of cases so that the student can reflect on the application of Karma Yoga in business.

In the first part of this subject, several translated articles related to business administration and the Bhagavad Gita are presented. The second presents several cases of Indian companies that apply in some way or another the principles of the Bhagavad Gita.

The Bhagavad Gita refers to the cycle of mutual support that sustains the world, urging the acceptance of social responsibility for the well-being of people.

The concept of Yajna (sacrifice), which emphasizes one's right to benefits only restricted to the remnant (surplus), also implies responsibility towards nature and the need to avoid its reckless exploitation. In Chapter 17 The Yoga of the Threefold Faith of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna:

«That sacrifice is Sattvic when it is offered voluntarily as a duty, without desire for its fruits and in accordance with the rule» Bhagavad Gita 17-11.

It also means that companies must properly compensate and rehabilitate victims of negative externalities before enjoying the benefits.

The first lesson of management science is to choose wisely and use scarce resources optimally. Before the start of the Mahabharata war (Yoga Despondency of Arjuna), Duryodhana chose Sri Krishna's great army for his aid, while Arjuna selected wisdom from him.

Sri Krishna explains two types of work culture: daivi sampat, or divine work culture, and asuri sampat, or demonic work culture. Chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita: The Yoga of Divine and Demoniacal Inheritance deals precisely with these two inheritances: The divine and the diabolical.

The influence of the Bhagavad Gita and Gandhi on some Indian companies will also be analyzed. Such as when Gandhi inspired Indian Muslim businessman, Yusuf K. Hamied, to build one of the largest laboratories in India. We will study the case of the Hinduja Group where we will be able to learn how part of its business strategy is based on the Dharma and the Vedic principles of work.

As we can see, the previous statement is clearly inspired by the Bhagavad Gita. In Chapter 3 The Karma Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna:

«Whatever the best man does, so will others, the path he teaches is followed by the world» Bhagavad Gita 3-21.

Marketing myths and the Bhagavad Gita

How Gandhi inspired Yusuf Khwaja Hamied (Muslim businessman)

Sankhya Yoga, Sankhya Yoga Philosophy, Gandhi, Swami Sivananda, Paths of Yoga, Karma Sannyasa Yoga

Course: Bhagavad Gita (Karma, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga).

Advanced courses:

1. Jnana Yoga
2. Realization of the Gita
3. Dhyana Yoga

India: spiritual power of the world

(c) Gita Institute

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