Definition of Indian and Western thoughts

Introduction

Welcome to the new unit. As we are standing on an important point on our learning curve, this has to be quite interesting, summating all the concepts we have studied, and also we should know the foundation in the very deep layer of the management concepts buildings. Knowing and understanding the philosophical thoughts on which grounds we have developed these concepts, have the power of giving us the confidence in our beliefs of what is right and what is wrong.

We talk about Indian thoughts, but the thoughts were not only about India. It belongs to the world, it is for the whole world, including all the living and non-living things in the world. It is vast and wider than ocean, deeper than the deep valleys and higher than the highest mountains. I dont think, there is a need to write an introduction.

Because, whether we have read these scriptures, or listened to pransanghs or sat sanghs, or visit the temples and shrines regularly, it doesn’t matter. The feel of these value systems are brought down by generations to generations for thousands of years and already imbibed in our systems.

Dear learners, as this Unit is more related to a person’s life as a whole than work life and performance alone, the purpose of the Unit is to stimulate your thoughts and make you know more about these topics by yourself, rather than placing them all down here, which is next to impossible.

Hence, wish you luck, happy thinking ahead.

Indian Thoughts on Management

India – the very name suggests various colours to different persons from different locations in the globe. Some might say that “Beautiful Palaces”, “diversified people”, “land of snakes”, “streets with beggars”, “mirchi masala”, etc, etc. But, we know for sure, one thing most of them think unanimously is “Spirituality”.

It’s not only the saffron robes and saints they mean. It is the vast land with mountains and valleys, Kashi and Rameswaram, Beautiful Buddha vihars and people who at the base of heart still carries divinity, spirituality and warmth, no matter what they wear to cover those inner feelings.

Emperors changed, rulers changed, Colonies of English and French gone, thousands of new concepts came in, and on top of all this the spirit of India remains unchanged. It is of course very hard to understand and generalise the management thoughts as a whole for India, but that is the beauty of it. India is so diversified, nothing can be generalised. Abundance of Management practices have evolved from India.

It is often referred that Kautilya’s (Chanakya) Arthasastra is the first treatise on Management work in the world. The book, estimated to be written on 300 BC approximately, contains the principles in Administration and acounting, the relevancy of which is applicable even in today’s world. Thirukural, a contribution to the world from Tamil Society, is granary of knowledge on management and the path for living. Management concepts in Mahabharata are still to be unearthed, even after thousands of scholarly articles are taken from it. Unwritten, undocumented practices are carried by generations and still kept alive.

In our terms, if we take the Management of Freedom Struggle, One man “Mahatma Gandhi” have shown such a path way, that still many countries cannot even dream about. The country we mean here is people in the country, is it not? Mahatma Gandhi’s idea drilled into the hardest of hard obstacles, only because the people, with the mind set of understanding and accepting “Ahimsa” were behind him.

Even after the contribution of “Ahimsa” concept to the whole world, it still has to happen in any other place. Why? We have the concept of co-existence from the day of our birth. We believe in rebirth and bad karma following us even in rebirths. We believe in “Dharma”.

In India, Traditional conduct of business is community and service oriented. The community of traders respected the profession they were in, and had ethical ways followed for generations in their trade. The ancient scriptures and inscriptions tell us thousands of incidents of traders taking up a social responsibility as a part of their trade practices.

Some of the interesting and curious practices of social responsibility are building choultries for travellers and pilgrims, donating the trade products to poor, donating oil to temples to light the corridors in evenings, building rock caves for monks, building schools and educational institutions, building hospitals etc.

Indian management practices have some basic difference from the western concepts. To understand this let us take a recent example. You may have not forgotten the global meltdown started during 2006, which have been a lesson to many western countries.

But, the analysts predicted that India was fast enough to recover and actually it was immune to the crisis. One of the reasons identified for the immunity of Indian economy is, as compared to countries like USA and UK, Indians are traditionally less spend thrifty.

Some of the practices of Indians, like accumulating wealth for daughters marriages, children education or building a house have saved the country from an economic crisis. It is said that Indians have higher risk aversions, and hence, less prone to speculative and risky investments. Consumerism is not that high in India, hence, the money saved in terms of gold and other risk free investments by commoners kept us stable. The high level of consumerism in USA was found as a big culprit over there.

Let us have a small comparison of concepts between the east and west to understand better. But, before the comparison, I would like to quote a few lines of various great westerners on our country.

"So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked’

-Mark Twain, One of the most famous writers in American literature

‘It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race. At this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is the ancient Indian way. Here we have the attitude and spirit that can make it possible for the human race to grow together in to a single family".

-Dr. Arnold Toynbee, English Historian

‘India will teach us the tolerance and gentleness of mature mind, understanding spirit and a unifying, pacifying love for all human beings’

-Will Durant, American Historian

Basis of Management – Indian way of management is valuesoriented. It is carved out of adopting the concept of co-existence with every other living thing and has a holistic approach towards the actions. The western way is based on science and technology, believed only what can be proved through science, and believes that everything can be improved through science.

Belief – While Indian way of thinking is achieving success andacquiring wealth through welfare including others, western thoughts gives importance to productivity and profit maximization at any cost.

Administration and decisions- India strongly believes inconscience, the supreme power above us, inner soul and divine interventions. Hence, the analysis and weighing the issues are done by mind, but decisions are to be taken by the heart, meaning with empathy to others. Western thoughts are through mind, analysis through mind and decision by mind.

Approach – Indians care for those live near them. For example, alane with 20 families will know each other and will not hesitate to help in needs. It is very common to see neighbours cooking for a family when one of those family members is hospitalised, or relatives and friends helping in all the activities of a marriage.

The same way, this element is seen evident when a company and employees work together, it takes a form like a big family and helps each others. Westerner’s thoughts give more importance to privacy, and they think it is intrusion to interfere in other’s lives uninvited. This element is prevalent in business places also.

Decision Making – India is a great believer of “Dhyan”(meditation). Calming the mind and keeping it still without any thought process and activities, called as meditation, is like a foundation to us. At times of dilemma or a sticky situation of decision making, meditation is the solution we run for. But, westerners believe in brain storming and making the brain more active to arrive at decisions.

Individual Development – We believe in integrated developmentof an individual. If we take Yoga, yoga has three dimensions – ‘asanas’ to develop and nurture the body, ‘pranayama’ to control the breath and ensure proper functioning of internal organs, and ‘dhyana’ to control and keep the mind calm and tranquil. Spirituality is fed into the minds at early stage by the family through divinity, values, and religious belief to take care of the nourishment of soul. Westerners believe in development of mind, health and body, but they do not give much importance to the soul.

Communication – Westerners give emphasis to propercommunication, etiquettes and manners. Indians have a different form of communication – communion. Getting into a better state of understanding is the essence of this concept. Understanding the soul and its real thoughts, than those uttered out physically is more of importance in Indian thoughts.

Principle of co-existence – In India, even today, we can see peopleworshipping trees, snakes and Cows as divine beings. This exhibits the age old culture of living in harmony with all other creatures in the world. The philosophy of sharing the earth with due respect to other lives is unique for our country.

Natural Resources – India has a way of even worshipping itsrivers, forests, (calling them ‘vanadevatha’), oceans and mountains as god’s abodes, air as ‘Vayubhagavan’ (meaning – wind god), sunlight as ‘Surya Bhagavan ‘and earth as ‘Bhoomatha’ (goddess of earth). The over utilisation of resources were checked until the western influence in science and business took control. Resources were not attached with any of these methods in western thoughts, and only through scientific calculations and techniques the utilisation of resources are decided.

Human values – India is the place, may be only place, where‘Bhikshus’ or saints Beggars are welcomed and treated as great guest at palace of emperors. When the other parts of the world, particularly west, look at them as just beggars, who doesn’t have anything. Indian meaning of ‘bhikshu’s are different. We see them as ‘courageous enough to renunciate everything, the worldly possessions, which a normal man cannot do’. Even though material collections are understood as madness, it takes high level of courage to say no to the luxurious life of materialistic world. Hence, the respect for ‘Bhikshus’. This is an example of how human are valued, by their mind and soul and not by their worldly possession.

Acquiring wealth and land through wars are common in boththoughts. But, the approach is different. King Asoka after Kalinga War is an example.

West believes that human race is created by Adam and eve against God’s wish, but we believe God is a part of us. The basic belief is in looking at the positive and negative side. You would have seen a flower called “Nagalinga” (in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Kannada) which got its name because of the shape its look like, a ‘naga’ like umbrella on a small sivalinga shaped inner core of the flower. The same tree is called as ‘Cannon ball’ tree in English. (because of its ' Cannonball' shaped fruits).

Indian Ethos

Indian Thoughts on Individual Life

It is said that, Ethical elevation preserved the integrity of the Hindu civilisation. Vedhas and Upanishads teaches in simple way, to lead a simple life, based on set ethical and value system, which will lead to a harmonious, sustainable environment and society.

Many of us have listened to morals and values through epics and ancient stories. We often heard scholars say that the two epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata teach a human how to live and how not to live respectively. The side line stories and in-numerous characters of these epics are so deep and knowledgeable, that they teach smaller and nuance matters, only if you seek for it with the truthfully searching heart

Apart from scriptures and epics and puranas, visiting places and shrines teach us moral stories through the carvings, paintings and statues.

At the next level, the practice of passing on small stories, what we call as “grandma’s stories”, through generations, to instil values at a tender age, is another successful practice of keeping a person’s life well aligned. Hence, all of us may have our small dose of Indian thoughts, or we may say Eastern Thoughts, as Westerners put it.

In depth, there are many other things that are not popular among commoners like us, and a little of that’s what I wish to pass over to you under this topic. Hinduism, the dominant sect for over centuries in India, depict four sequential aims for life, namely –

Dharma – The righteous and regulated living

Artha – motive, earning wealth through Dharma

Kama – Love and desire to enjoy the pleasures using artha

Moksha – Liberation, freedom, emancipation from all past karma

The Concept of ‘Dharma’

We all have used this term many times, (whether we know the real meaning?) is Dharma. In simple words, Dharma means, “right thought, right word and right deed”. Dharma is the way of life. It is believed that ‘Hinduism’ is not a religion, but the dharmic way of life. Dharma is an important term in Indian religions. In Hinduism it means ‘duty’, ‘virtue’, ‘morality’, even ‘religion’ and it refers to the power which upholds the universe and society

Hindus generally believe that dharma was revealed in the Vedas although a more common word there for ‘universal law’ or ‘righteousness’ is Rita. Dharma is the power that maintains society, it makes the grass grow, the sun shine, and makes us moral people or rather gives humans the opportunity to act virtuously.

But acting virtuously does not mean precisely the same for everyone; different people have different obligations and duties according to their age, gender, and social position. Dharma is universal but it is also particular and operates within concrete circumstances. Each person therefore has their own dharma known as sva-dharma. What is correct for a woman might not be for a man or what is correct for an adult might not be for a child.

Dharma is often translated as “duty”, “religion”, or “religious duty”. It is better felt than described in English. It means “to sustain”, or “integral to something”. Everything has an integral dharma. The innate characteristic of men, both material and spiritual, generates two type of dharma:

Sanatana-dharma – Spiritual identity, refers to Atman and hence,same for everyone.

Varnashrama Dharma – Matreislistic, outer nature and individualspecific.Varnashrama-dharma specifies the duties, or work rules of the individuals.

Non-violence is dharma for whose duty is to be a priest, but a warrior’s dharma accepts violence in order to conduct his duty of protecting his people. A vysya (merchant) can acquire wealth, as per his dharma, but a saint, who has renunciated, cannot touch money, and that is his dharma.

It is leading a principled life, the motivation being wealth accumulation, then utilising the wealth to enjoy the worldly pleasures. Once, the realisation occurs about the futility of temporary gratification, the search turns towards liberation and seeks moksha, often through the path of renunciation, Bhakthi (surrender to God).

Indian thoughts always lead us to this one destination – Liberation. It depends on individual strength of mind and body to attain this stage. Spiritual emancipation is considered as the main goal and all the other stages are stepping stones leading to the destination.

Karma Yoga

Karma-yoga is the glory word we have to begin with. The spiritualityis to surrender to the god that is the destination- we call it Mukthi through Bhakthi. But, Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita points to onedirection – Karma-yoga -Philosophy of action. Work is given priority. All of us know that the essence of Gita is “Perform your duties and leave theresult to me (Lord Krishna)”.

Performing the assigned duty is taught as the first and foremost duty for any individual.

Karma, as we talk often, is of two types – good karma and bad karma. Good karma gives us good reactions, and it is believed that, the good karma will liberate the souls and reaching god would be easier.

Bad karma is believed to follow us, even in our next birth and gives bad consequences. The individual is accountable and responsible for all his actions and accordingly the reaction follows.

The Bhagavat Gita, categorises the human actions into Karma (good actions which helps to move us up in the spiritual ladder and ultimately helps in reaching the destiny to divine), Vikarma (Wrong and sinful actions) and Akarma (Neutral actions, neither good nor bad, and thus leads to liberation)

The stages of human life and duties to each stage of life

Four ‘ashramas’ concept of Life of a person gives a clear picture.Every man is supposed to go through the four stages of life.

Brahmacharya – student

Grihastha – Family man, House Holder

Vanaprastha - Forest-dweller

Sanyas– Renunciation

Brahmachari-Ashram

In the young age, the children are supposed to acquire the knowledge, in order to lead a peaceful and meaningful life. Hence, in the first stage of life, say till 20 years of age, the child will be with the Gurukul, a place where the child will stay and learn lessons from Guru. Rigorous training on various areas, according to the need and competency of the child, the Guru will decide upon the lessons.

Life can be faced with confidence once the child undergoes the training under an efficient guru. Apart from the arts and lessons, the important aspects like discipline, humbleness, cleanliness, and many other attributes of life are taught through practical lessons. The other point is the students live a simple life, away from worldly pleasures and material allurements.

Grihasta Ashram

Once the Brahmachari-ashram stage is completed, the person if chooses to return back to materialistic life, take up the responsibilities of family. He marries, raise children, and perform his duties to the society also. He can start acquiring wealth for his family, provided shares his wealth in small amounts to the needy in the society.

Vanaprashta Ashram

After fulfilling the duties of the second phase, here comes the retirement phase. It is to mull on the other things that were not taken care of in those two stages. For example going on to pilgrimages. It gives peace and the spirituality. Hence, once tired life of fulfilling the responsibility and running the family is over, and resting period starts. The literal meaning is “forest dweller”, living in forest without any comfort, and trying to be with nature.

Sanyasa Ashram

Men who were able to reach this level, fourth stage renounce all the worldly possessions and emotions. They control their mind and body totally. They live detached, often with a “bowl” as the only possession to beg for their food. It is believed that, as it takes a lot of courage to do so, not all can reach this fourth stage easily.

Upanishads

The exact number of Upanishads is not determined. But, ten Upanishads are widely accepted as the most important. Among the ten, “the Kathopanishad” (Katha meaning stories) contains the concept of “finding the things that are substantial and not to catch shadows”. It was told through the legendary nachiketa. Nachiketa, was consigned to death by his father, in a fit of anger. The obedient son approaches Yama, the God of death.

Yama was pleased with his earnestness and hence, grants him three boons. Using the first boon to remove his father’s misery and the second boon for imparting of knowledge of that fire which enables one to reach the place of perfect bliss, he wanted the third one to initiate him to the knowledge of human soul. Yama declined to answer the question and instead offered him of high value material things like gold. Nachiketa refused and still was in determined pursuit of question. At this point, Yama enlightens the boy. Here the substantial thing is referred to knowledge and shadows are materialistic things.

Dear learners, you would be wondering by now about the message of the story. Right? What we interpret from these stories is left to us many times. It depends on the level of mental status and social status a person live in. It is almost like the steps of motivation theory. What we need, that we like to see as the message in the story. I leave it you, to associate the story with the life and work.

Now, let us see some mahavakyas (great sentences) that throws light on how performance of job and duties are approached in Indian ethos.

"AtmanoMokshartham, JagatHitayaCha "

All work is an opportunity for doing good to the world andby thus gaining materially and spiritualty in our lives is the meaning of this sentence. Performance of any job assigned should be thought as an opportunity to do good to someone or to the society. Spiritual inclination is the base of any duty performed.

"AtmanaVindyateViryam"

-Strength and inspiration for excelling in work comes from the Divine, God within, through prayer, spiritual readings and unselfish work.

Again, here it is stressed that, no matter what we do as our work or job, we should think that the strength comes from divine. Whatever be the achievement in the work, again it is emphasised that, the inspiration for success came from the God within.

"YogahkarmashuKaushalam, Samatvam Yoga Uchyate"

-He who works with calm and even mind achieves the most.

We have discussed about anxiety and stress in the previous units with scientific terms. This is about looking it in the Indian Ethos way. Calm mind is the key to everything. Here, we differ from the western thoughts, as in west, it is appreciated if the mind is kept active and brain storming techniques are more popular. But, in India, meditation and mind tranquillity is considered as high level virtues and a way to attain bliss.

"YadishibhavanaYasya Siddhi BhavatiTadrishi "

As we think, so we succeed, so we become. Attention to means ensures the end.

This concept stresses the fact of self confidence and perseverance to attain the goals. The normal work environment in this competitive world requires both the attributes to stay as a performer.

"ParasparamBhavayantahShreyahParamBhavapsyathah"

-By mutual cooperation, respect and fellow feeling, all of us enjoy the highest good both material and spiritual.

The concept of team simply said. The team spirit, building and culture of team should be mutual cooperation, respect and fellow feeling. with this we move to next topic - the three ingredients to live a motivated, effective work life.

Ichashakthi, gnanashakthi, kriyashakthi

The process of work needs three steps –

Desire to perform, - Ichashakthi

Knowledge to perform - Gnanashakthi

Strength/courage to perform (real action) - Kriyashakthi

In our beliefs, we give these names to the three goddesses of our culture.

Goddess of wealth – Wealth accumulation, desire to work

Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom – Acquiring skills and knowledge to do the work

Goddess of Power – To get the shakthi (power) Physically and mentally to do the work

The hidden philosophy is to unite all the three internal powers to perform the duty sincerely and dedicatedly, as it would take us to the destination of spirituality.

Thirukural

Thirukural is considered as one of the best administration literature. In the two line hymns, a total of 1330, methods of administration and conduct of work are explained. It is accepted as an extraordinary work by an individual named Tiruvalluvar. Let us see some of the verses that shows path for a good management.

Money and means, time, place and deed Decide these five and then proceed.

-Verse 675

This phrase explains the importance of planning before any job. If we apply this to performance management, it is deciding the

Compensation for the job

Job specifications and description

Time of the job

Placement

Personality of the employee

If these are rightly done while recruiting the employee, the job performance would be as desired.

Those who dread (apprehension / anxiety) derision (scornful ridicule / mockery) and Disgrace (loss of reputation as the result of a dishonorable action) will not commence a task that is unclear

- Verse 464

This verse tells us the importance of the outcomes of any job performance. Any action which has consequences of unpleasant happenings should not be commenced at all.

Is there any task too difficult for the man who acts at the right time and employs the proper means?

– Verse 483

This verse is aptly applied for performance. Any job can be well performed if right means applied at the right time. These are small examples of the big ocean. A lot more verses pertaining to the management concepts and individual behaviour are spread over the book. Dear learners, as I told you in the starting, it is your curiosity to explore and be adventurous to look and study further at the intricate ideas of our ethos.

Spirituality at work – Indian way?

This land has identified itself and evolved as highly cultured and spiritual. The satgurus, saints and yogis for thousand years shown us the way to attain the highest level of freedom – self attainment. The paths are different in nature, curious and adventurous many times. But, the interesting segment that is related to our topic is, many saints has suggested the path of living the life in its course and

Giving priority duty and responsibility to. (which is referred to as the essence of Bhagavat Gita)

Indian thoughts has been so deep that when compared to other areas in the world, spirituality at work place like “a small prayer before opening up the day’s work” can be still found in practice in many areas of the country.

Indian thoughts insist on taking up the work, whatever it may be, with dedication. The two basic points that are necessary are

Working with sincerity

Working with honesty.

Human race have been always seeking the comfort and ease to lead the life, science and technology helping in inventing new products that will clear the hard work and create a platform of comfortable life. The other search of life from the start is the inner freedom.

But the question raised by the great gurus is “the level of comfort is raising, is the level of quality of life increasing?”.

Let us list out the things that are in increase in the present world of Corporates:

Working time

Travelling distance to work, due to the company sponsored travel arrangements

Time spent on travel

Comforts at the work place

Perquisites

And so on….

I don’t need to list out the things that we are losing in the present world when compared to the work place three or four decades ago. To start with time at home, time to eat peacefully, time to spend with family, time to spend for the things that really interests us, …….

To conclude, I would like to quote two great saying of two great personalities

Sri Narayana Guru said that “ whatever may be a man’s religion, it is enough if it makes for a better man”.

The mother of Aurobindo Ashram says “One can progress through meditation, but through work- provided it is done in the right spirit- one can progress ten times more”.

Summary