Description of Module Subject Human Resource Management Name Paper Name Human Values and Indian Ethos Module Title Lessons of Management from Mahabharata Module Id Module No:- 31 Pre- To understand the teachings of Mahabharata Requisites Objectives To know the management principles for their application in corporations Keywords Mahabharata, Management Skills, Leadership Skills 1 QUADRANT-I Module 31: Lessons of Management from Mahabharata 1. Learning Outcomes 2. Introduction 3. Management lessons from Mahabharata 4. Summary 1. LEARNING OUTCOMES After studying the entire text students will be able to understand: Importance of Mahabharata Epic in understanding human values and ethics. Understanding various management principles from the epic Mahabharata. Application of the lessons of management in the real business world. 2. INTRODUCTION: Mahabharata is a story of great historical leaders in India. The basic theme of Mahabharata is ‘Dharamayudha’ that is justice for righteous. Mahabharata is story of battle between Pandavas and Kauravas for throne of Hastinapur. The battle was fought in Kurukshetra and Pandavas were victorious in the battle. Though Pandavas do not have wealth, power and kingdom at that time but they won the battle due to guidance of Lord Krishna, morals, ethics, effective management policies, powerful allies like love, compassion, sweetness, relations, decentralization of power, team work, women empowerment etc. The epic exhibits our human value system. The teachings of Mahabharata provide us the knowledge of management from its various incidents. Lord Krishna, the main hero is known as the master strategist, a visionary leader, a great crisis manager and a good path maker. Mahabharata is a good source of effective understanding of the various management traits to be used in modern management like planning the strategies, leadership qualities, motivation, decision-making etc. Lord Krishna is considered as the best Management Guru. Preaching of ‘Bhagvad Gita’ to Arjuna directly by Krishna in the battle field bring forth many management principles. Modern managers are really blessed to equip with such a glorious source of learning management principles. 3. MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM MAHABHARATA The teachings from this great epic help us to understand the following management principles— 3.1 Scientific Skills and Technology From the ancient period of Mahabharata, technology and skill is being used by the Indians. The palace made by the Kauravas for the destruction of Pandavas was made of wax, which is highly inflammable material. It was not apparent from the outlook of the palace that it was made of wax. Even, in the palace of Pandavas, illusions were created to confuse the outsiders for the 2 purpose of the safety of their palace. The weapons used in the war were very scientific. The modern technology used by the big business houses is based on these ancient scientific skills and knowledge. Moreover, corporate houses are able to use good infrastructure by conceiving the ideas from the history. Technology learnt today will certainly provide fruitful results. Thus, organizations must constantly improve their technology especially during the phase of growth. 3.2 Leadership Skills Centralized leadership may not give good and effective results. Corporate should concentrate on expanded management and decentralized leadership. They should restructure their teams to share management responsibilities. The sharing of responsibilities through decentralization will generate new ideas, innovative practices. This will help the team members to take responsibilities and grow higher. In addition organizations will earn more profits and achieve their goals in lesser time. In Mahabharata, Kauravas had centralized leadership there was only one head at a time of eleven divisions. Organizational Structure of Kaurvas Division K Division Division J A Division Druyadhana Division I B Chief Commander (Bhishma/Drona/ Division Division H Karna/Shalya C /Ashwathama) one at a time Division Division G D Division Division F E On the other hand, Pandavas have opted decentralized system. Lord Krishna was the supreme guide. Arjuna was the supreme commander. Dhrshtadymna was commander in chief of seven commanders. The Pandavas made seven commanders for the seven divisions. The army of Pandavas was decentralized in to seven divisions called as Akshauhini. Besides, Yudhishtra, Bhima, Nakul, Sahadeva, Kunti and Draupadi also participated in management. Organizational Structure of Pandavas 3 Krishna (Guide/Advisor/Mentor) Arjuna (Supreme Commander) Dhrstadymna Other decision (Commander in takers Chief) Seven Commanders of Seven Divisions Other Decision takers of Pandavas Yudhishtra Kunti Bhima Draupadi Nakul All Commanders Sehadeva The sharing of responsibilities by Pandavas resulted in democracy, less dependence on one individual and reduction in risk. Therefore, Pandavas were very much successful in their action plans as compared to Kauravas. This helped Pandavas in winning the war. In any company, top management should share the responsibility with middle and lower level management for the effective implementation of their plans and policies. 3.3 Common Goals and Team work 4 Individual goals are difficult to achieve while group efforts of common goals can easily be accomplished. The main leaders of Kauravas i.e Bheeshma, Drona, Karna, Shalya etc. were focused on their personal goals., while Pandavas’ full efforts were towards the attainment of their common objectives. All of them took part in decision-making and contributed a lot in the planning of the battle. This unity and team-spirit made them successful in the war. Kauravas were equipped with more weapons and physical force. No doubt, Pandavas were less in number but their unity was their strength. They took the benefit of everyone in their army by making them efficient in their actions. A corporate house should get contributions from each and everybody being their part for enhancing their skills. 3.4 Commitment and dedication Pandavas were very much committed about their goals. All the brothers showed good sincerity and dedication for each other. Karan was also very much committed to his friend in spite of the fact that his friend Duryodhan was at fault. Gandhari the wife of Dhritrashtra was committed to his blind husband and she also lived her life as a blind. During the battle of Mahabharata, Pandavas win over Kauravas due to their commitment and dedication. Yudhishthra faced Karna in the battle knowing the fact that Karna will defeat him. The incident shows the commitment and dedication of Yudhishthra. There is also example of extraordinary commitment shown by Abhimanyu. Though he had partial knowledge of only breaking the ‘Chakarvayu’ even then he went in to the Chakarvayu to fail the mission. Therefore, managers should select the employees who are committed and dedicated. 3.5 Empathetic and effective communication Effective management necessitates empathetic and effective communication skills. A manager should not loose his temper and should try to manage each and every situation peacefully. Affectionate words used with full respect can do the wonders in effective management. Mahabharata’s incident highlights the importance of effective communication. When Gandhari wished to curse Judhishthra after the war, Krishna spoke in gentle words with full respect and empathy to Gandhari and give the message to forgive Judhishthra. Gandhari understood Krishna’s message and did not curse Judhishthra. Thus, effective and empathetic communication saved Judhishthra. 3.6 Forecasting future Mahabharata also give a wonderful management message of forecasting the future and taking preventive actions accordingly. In Mahabharata, when Ashwathama planned to kill all Pandavas, Krishna forecasted the danger in the future with his sharp observation and intellectual power and took all the Pandavas to Hastinapur to save their lives. Another episode of Mahabharata also indicate the need of future forecasting to take safeguard measures- when Bheema was going to search Ashwathama alone, then Krishna advised Yudhishthra to accompany Bheema to protect him. This was done on the basis of forecasting by Krishna that Ashwathama may use terrible ‘Brahamishra’ weapon on Bheema. Therefore, effective management needs simultaneously Pro-activity, Pre-activity, Process-activity and Post-activity. 3.7 Calculated Risk A fundamental rule of effective management is to take optimum level of risk and not to gamble. Firms should not put all their assets on risk. In gambling event, Pandvas loose Indraprastha, all their assets and even Draupadi. This was the worst situation in their life due to putting their each 5 and every thing on stake. Perhaps this was the major cause of the balltle of Mahabhata. This incident teaches us the lesson of managing risk to avoid difficulties and closure of business. 3.8 The win-win approach The win win approach is another lesson that we learn from Mahabharata. This is the approach which every corporate advisors, management guru and professional consultant suggest to opt. This approach will lead to wellbeing of all the stakeholders and hence inclusive development. Every corporate should try to achieve inclusive development through every possible way like persuasion, reward, discrimination or threat. This may resolve all possible rivalries. Before the battle of Mahabharata, Krishna went to Hastinapur for conveying the message of Pandavas to negotiate an agreement for the wellbeing of all i.e. for wellbeing