Always on a receiving end of life ......I....having seated in a boat of my heart, sailing on swirling waves of eager thoughts.......attempted to share what's in my mind through this blog..but most of the time .....all my thoughts went unwritten......but they always longed for ABSOLUTE !!!!
One day Krishna and Arjuna were taking their usual walk, when they came across an old Brahmin begging, taking pity on his condition, Arjuna gave him a bag of gold coins. The man was overjoyed and went home. On his way he was robbed by a thief in the forest. He cursed his fate and the next day set off to beg again.
Arjuna and Krishna saw again and when Arjuna got to know of his story, once again took pity and gave him a large diamond. The man took it home and kept it in an old pot which had been unused for many years in order to keep it safe and went to sleep. The next morning before he could wake up, his wife went to fetch water from the river and on her way back, she slipped and her pot broke. She immediately remembered the pot at home which lay unused and brought it to fill it with water. Just as she dipped the pot in to the river the diamond escaped the pot and went in to the river. When she returned home the Brahmin was desperately searching the house for the pot and when he saw it in his wife's hands, he got to know what had happened. Dejected with what had happened, he once again left home to go begging.
Once again Arjuna and Krishna saw him and when Arjuna heard of the unfortunate incident that had happened, he told Krishna ," I don't think this man is destined to be blessed at all, I don’t think I can help him anymore". Krishna then gave the man two pennies and the man took them and walked away. Arjuna then asked Krishna," My Lord, if gold coins and diamond could not change his condition, what good can two pennies do to him?". Krishna smiled and replied, "let us see".
As the man walked home he was cursing his fate when he saw a fish that had just been caught by a fisherman and was struggling for its life, he took pity on it and thought to himself," these two pennies cannot fetch me food anyway, let me at least save the life of this creature" and he purchased the fish and was about to throw it in the river when he saw that the breathlessness of the fish was caused due to some large obstruction in its mouth and when removed it , it was the very diamond he had lost in the river. He was overjoyed and started shouting "Look what I found! Look what I found". At this very time the thief that had robbed him in the forest was passing by and heard the Brahmins shouts, he recognized the Brahmin and thought that the Brahmin too recognized him and was thus shouting. Fearing that the Brahmin may take him to be executed, he rushed to him and begged for his forgiveness and returned all the gold coins he had stolen from him. The Brahmin was happy and walked away joyfully with all his wealth. He went straight to Arjuna to narrate the turn of events and thanked him for all his help and went away.
Arjuna then asked Krishna,"My Lord, how is it that my gold and diamond could not help him but your meager two pennies did?. Krishna replied," when he had the gold and diamonds he was only thinking of himself and his needs, but when he had the two pennies he put the needs of another creature before his and so I took care of his needs. The truth is O Arjuna when you think of the pain and needs of others and work to help them, you are doing God's work and hence God Himself takes care of you"
Let us practice to serve others physically, financially and mentally particularly the needy ones!
One day, a very wealthy man was walking on the road. Along the way, he saw a beggar on the sidewalk. The rich man looks kindly on the beggar and asked, "How did you become a beggar?
The beggar said, "Sir, I've been applying for a job for a year now but haven't found any. You look like a rich man.Sir, if you'll give me a job, I'll stop begging."
The rich man smiled and said, "I want to help you. But I won't give you a job. I'll do something better. I want you to be my business partner. Let's start a business together.
The beggar blinked hard. He didn't understand what the older man was saying. "What do you mean, Sir?
"I own a rice plantation. You could sell my rice in the market. I'll provide you the sacks of rice. I'll pay the rent for the market stall. All you'll have to do is sell my rice. And at the end of the month, as Business Partners, we'll share in the profits.
Tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. "Oh Sir," he said, "you're a gift from Heaven. You're the answer to my prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He then paused and said, Sir, how will we divide the profits? Do I keep 10% and you get the 90%? Do I keep 5% and you get the 95%? I'll be happy with any arrangement.
The rich man shook his head and chuckled. "No, I want you to give me the 10%. And you keep the 90%.
For a moment, the beggar couldn't speak. When he tried to speak, it was gibberish. Uh, gee, uh, wow, I mean, huh? He couldn't believe his ears. The deal was too preposterous.
The rich man laughed more loudly. He explained, I don't need the money, my friend. I'm already wealthy beyond what you can ever imagine. I want you to give me 10% of your profits so you grow in gratitude
The beggar knelt down before his benefactor and said, Yes Sir, I will do as you say. Even now, I'm so grateful for what you've done for me!
And so that was what happened. He forgets where the blessings came from. Each day, the beggar now dressed a little bit better operated a store selling rice in the market. He worked very hard. He woke up early in the morning and slept late at night. And sales were brisk, also because the rice was of good quality.
And after 30 days, the profits were astounding. At the end of the month, as the ex-beggar was counting the money, and liking very much the feeling of money in his hands, an idea grew in his mind. He told himself, why should I give 10% to my Business Partner? I didn't see him the whole month! I was the one who was working day and night for this business. I did all this work! I deserve the 100% profits!
A few minutes later, the rich man was knocking on the door to collect his 10% of the profits. The ex-beggar opened the door and said, "You don't deserve the 10%. I worked hard for this. I deserve all of it!" And he slammed the door.
If you were his Business Partner, how would you feel?
Friends, this is exactly what happens to us.
God is Our Business Partner. He made us available with everything.....every single moment, every single breath, every single second. So do we need to give back Our Business Partner something in return. Let us give 'HIM' that 10% by helping others.
Now how to do it and where to do it....is in itself requires contemplation. For now at-least try to understand the ground here. Things will follow....
Am good, Am bliss, I love, Am wise, Am bad, Am ego, I hate, Am vice ! Its truth and wisdom, nothing else to try, Then, forget myself, I chose to lie.... Its "I", in hue and cry... Am flower, Am breeze, I rise, I surprise, Am rock, Am sword, I drown, I deprive ! Peace is my valor, to violence I shy, Then, for a piece of land, I kill, I terrify... Its "I", in hue and cry... Am god, am devotion, I enlighten, I vitalize, Am evil, Am ignorance, I bewilder, I jeopardize ! To the will of God, I surrender, I rely, Then, in name of God, I murder, I die... Its "I", in hue and cry... Ways to live are many, though paths of life are some, Learn, Weigh, Think, Accept....don't run ! Winds carry all answers, just ask Why ?? Tides of ocean are strong, but try to stand-by... yes....... Its "I", in hue and cry......
There I sail... unaware of the moods of wind.. but, There I sail..... There I sail... so intimately with the waves of my eyes.. Affair I cherish..... in love with the wisdom of life.... Lull, I take... to behold the spectacular moments.... Spread I will.... God's love and beautiful presents... Meditate I wanna.... to explore my tranquil mind.... Wake me not.... to your universe so confined.... Breathe I shall.... in eternity of time.... Dance I wish.... in the rhythm so divine.... Move I won't..... to the whims of your tune.... Stop I won't.... till I reach my desired moon... Sing I will...... till the water of hope turn to ice and hail..... Me, you wanna walk along........ Come......There I sail........ There I sail.........
We get up in the morning with some hope, hope of something better.... and most of the times unconsciously we pray !! We pray to someone to the one whom we think is listening everything, knows everything, but stays indifferent, yet noticing and fueling us to endeavor. This happened in those quick nano seconds whenever we are with ourselves when come out of sleep......but then normal day starts and we turns into what we do't aspire to be.... at least at heart !!!
One day something strange happened !! A message from a undecipherable location pops up.........
God: Did you call me?
Man: Called you? No....Who is this?
God: This is God. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat...
Man: I do pray...Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something..
God: What are you busy at?
Man: Don't know....but i can't find free time.Life has become hectic.....It's rush hour all the time...
God: Sure...Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time....Productivity frees it...
Man: I understand....But I still can't figure it out. By the way I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat...
God: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this IT era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with...
Man: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God: Analysis is what makes it complicated. Stop analyzing life. When you analyze you surmise. But when you believe...you achieve...
Man: Why are we then constantly unhappy?
God: Your today is the tomorrow about which you worried about yesterday.....you are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why your not happy...
Man: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God: For humans, uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional !!!
Man: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty....
God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional !!!
Man: If suffering is optional, why do good people suffer?
God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer...With that experience their life becomes better not bitter... Also good people see opportunity in every adversity, the opportunity which makes them turn to me, the God !!
Man: You mean to say such experience is useful?
God: Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards....
Man: But still, why should we go through such tests? why can't we be free from problems?
God: Problems are purposeful roadblocks offering beneficial lessons to enhance mental strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems....
Man: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading....
God: If you look out, you will not know where you are heading....Look inside !!! Looking outside you dream...looking inside you awaken......Eyes provides sight....Heart provides insight!!
Man: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction...... What should I do?
God: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you !!! Knowing the Road ahead is more satisfying than the knowing you Rode ahead !!! You work with Compass.....and let others work with the Clock !!!
Man: In tough times, how to stay motivated?
God: Always look how far you have come rather than how far you have to go!!! Always count your blessings, not what you are missing !!!
Man: What surprises you about people?
God: When they suffer they ask, "Why me?"......but when they prosper, they never asks "why me?" ...... Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth !!!
Man: Sometimes I ask, What life is, why am I here. I can't get the answer...
God: Before anything is created, the purpose is clearly defined in the mind of the creator, i.e. Me..... If you use your tiny, immature brain to philosophize and speculate What life is etc., it is only going to frustrate you more and more... Instead use such questions to help you achieve the goal of self-realization !!!
Man: How can I get the best out of life?
God: Free your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear...
Man: One last question......Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.....
God: There are no unanswered prayers....At time answer is No !!!
Man: Thank you for this wonderful chat... I am so happy to start the New Day with a new sense of inspiration.....
God: Well, keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs !! Life is not misery but discovery, discovery of true love, real happiness and perfect peace !!! Trust me life is wonderful, if you know how to live...... and if you don't,then I'll tell this foolish blogger who is hacking our conversation and making his blog, he'll hack my another one with some other Man....and then we'll see if he'll be able to capture a much higher philosophy !!!! ;)
Is this Singh really a king!!!!! Entering to his residence…more looking like that cave of Alibaba and 40 thieves… having its entrance via The CoalGate !!!! ……..since the time when he was a coal minister. Its amazingly thoughtful that at one hand Kasab is been sentenced to death and on the other hand this unworthy PM of our nation having involvement in all the biggiee Financial Frauds and scams (which have capital punishment clause in U.S.A) have got the courage to deny the CAG coal report because its against him and contrary to it ….accepting the report of CAG at the time of 2G !!!!! He has got jst one bow in his archery …..and that’s his silence…. Now am really wondered of how many such scams are going on in this country under the shed of Italian God mother aided by the silence of Puppet Punjabi PM !!!!! Now comes the role of opposition parties….. primarily the undefined and aimeless BJP with its so called Saffron flag…….. BJP is demanding debate outside the parliament as they are of the opinion that in parliament.. debate for the sake of debate is useless and they want strict accountability, which cant be secured in parliament……Ironicall !!!! Déjà vu !!!! This made me to rewind my memory to Anna Hazzare’s movement………..when they hit the streets in the same manner….then all these so called parliamentary watch dogs were barking on him to respect The Parliament….!!!! Well this is a new example of double standards…..
And another fact of the matter is that we are also no more than a puppet in the hands of same Italian God mother….dancing on her whims….a.nd acting like a fantastic substitute of Mr. Man mohan singh with our silence on every dominated hue nd cry !!!!!! There was a time when Chankaya Pandit untied his hairs and took a vow to led the movemenet against unworthy king of patliputra-Dhanand, to defeat Alexender and unite the whole nation. And he did it. In the same way Mahatma Gandhi gave us Free India......Now again India is crying for such personalities .....who are hidden in all of us......Now lets see how long it remain hidden !!!!
Bhagavad-Gita: Key to modernize modern organizational management.
In this age of kali, everything has changed as compared to previous three ages, and especially what has changed is our perception towards management. I have been a student of management and economics and what I have been taught throughout this journey of four years is the models and theories of modern economists and management thinkers like Adam smith, Keynes, Minzberg, Michael porter, robins, Steven covey, Taylor, fayol etc. However, keeping aside all these mundane philosophy, I got attracted to India’s ancient literature, which not only helps us in our spiritual advancements but also enlighten us on how to conduct and manage ourselves and others in this material world with morality and with intelligence. The only thing required is implementing from time to time the ancient philosophy, effectively in the context of modern times.
One of the ancient Indian spiritual text is the Bhagavad-Gita or the “Song of theLord”, which provides the essence of the Vedas, which was delivered by Lord Sri Krishna to Arjuna more than 50 centuries ago in the battlefield of Kurukshestra, India, to boost Arjuna’s declining morale, motivation, confidence to his (Arjuna) intra-personal conflict, which was to fight or not to fight the war at Kurukshestra. Sri Krishna gave not only spiritual enlightenment to Arjuna (and to all of us) but also the art of self management, conflict management, stress &, anger management, transformationalleadership, motivation, goal setting and many others aspects of management which can be used as a guide to increase our managerial effectiveness. . The Bhagavad-Gita was given on the battlefield before the commencement of the war. The battlefield represents our body where an unending battle is raging between the forces of good and evil.
Henry Minzberg (1973), in his book the Nature of Managerial Work (cited in Robbins, 2003) provided ten roles of managers play for increasing managerial effectiveness, which can be divided into interpersonal roles, informational roles and decisional roles. The Bhagavad-Gita recommends a managerial effectiveness approach, which focuses not only on external world but also on exploring the inner world of the self.
Arjuna said: For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it is, it seems to me, more difficult than controlling the wind. (B.G. 6.34)
Sri Krishna said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti (Arjuna), it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by constant practice and by detachment. (B.G.6.35)
Management development programs in organizations should focus on creating and developing managers and organizational members to be strong and be mentally fearless.
Sri Krishna also mentioned that for one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends, but for one who has failed to control their mind, the mind will be the greatest enemy. (B.G. 6.6)
Because of this lack of knowledge of self, the individual gets bewildered and it leads to various conflicts at workplace, as, truly speaking, people don’t know in general how to handle unwanted situations.
The most crucial management issue is the conflict management at workplace. Conflicts are always there sometimes within an organization (among staff members) and also outside organization with the general environment of the firm.
Today organizations (both corporate and educational institutes like IITs and IIMs) are putting considerable emphasis on organizing workshops on conflict handling and self management on the basis of the wisdom of Bhagwat gita for their employees and students, as they have recognized the importance of the need, to collaborate material and spiritual knowledge to address the overall personality of individuals, which benefits both individual and organization.
As it is a fact that every notion of conflict arises in our mind first and then our false ego amplifies it which ultimately comes out and causes real conflict in the surroundings. So these types of workshops helps human resource of the organizations to focus on the center and respect the periphery, otherwise if they focus on the periphery then their periphery becomes their center and their center becomes their periphery, and then they struck into a conflict.
Bhagwat gita helps an individual in spotting that center and makes him/her capable of receiving things and responding and respecting the periphery, the surroundings, in a better way.
In a nutshell, being little philosophical and as anthropologists contends that “the best way to resolve your external conflict is to resolve your inner conflict first, then everything will be resolved automatically”.
Thus, organizations should focus on organizing workshops for their employees based on these classical texts to prevent the situations of conflict well in advance as we know “prevention is better than cure”.
Not only the conflict management, but also other parts of management like motivation, leadership, Duty and very important issue of corporate governance and of business ethics are all addressed by lord Krishna in Bhagwat gita.
In many verses of the Bhagavad-Gita, Sri Krishna motivates and energizes Arjuna to do his duty. Sri Krishna focuses on the internal (intrinsic) motivation more than external (extrinsic) motivation.
Sri Krishna demonstrated transformational leadership qualities in developing and guiding Arjuna to victory in the war. After Bhagavad-Gita He (Arjuna) stood steady on the ground with bow and arrow in hand. He lifted his arms ready to fight the war.
As far as Duty is concerned, it is given great importance in the Bhagavad-Gita. Duty in the organizational context goes beyond contractual agreement in the employment relationship. Sri Krishna motivates and encourages Arjuna to do his duty and not to run away from the battlefield. Sri Krishna further stressed that duty needs to be done without attachment and for those who do their duty without attachment will attain the supreme goal (B.G 3.19).
Now talking about corporate governance and business ethics, well, people will comply to them automatically if they put their faith in the teachings of Bhagwat gita and try to implement them in their life, as Bhagwat gita is all about ethics, and self governance which includes not only governance of self and corporate behavior but also most important Political governance.
Modern managers, can benefit from the philosophy of Bhagavad-Gita, which serves as a guide in developing managerial effectiveness. Mere imitation of western Management approaches may not be appropriate in the Indian (Asian) context due to differences in the cultural environment. However, the philosophy of Bhagwat gita has also been adopted in many western companies, because Wisdom is for all.The philosophy of Bhagavad-Gita has remained and will remain as a guide for developing managerial effectiveness, not only in this 21st century but also for many centuries more to come. After all theentire creation of this universe is by Lord Krishna and to live in it peacefully, purposefully and beautifully, we must understand the manual guide or user’s guide called Bhagwat Gita by the manufacturer (lord Krishna), so that we can handle ourselves and this world with utmost care.
In the end Arjuna's illusion has now gone. He is motivated to win the war for the Pandavas. This is due to Sri Krishna, who became the spiritual master and adviser for Arjuna and transformed him (Arjuna) and the Pandavas to victory. This is a wonderful example of a true leader, a true follower and in effect the best result: The Victory.
So it can be seen that wherever there is Sri Krishna and Arjuna, there will be Victory.
Thus here through this article I am suggesting a new text book of management to every student of any field and I am sure this will be a good deal as it is not only aboutmaking a good living but it is also about making a good life!!!!!!!!!! Think about it. I wish you people “All the Best”!
