How the Bhagavath Geeta's Ancient Wisdom Can Shape Modern Organization Structures

avsjai
Bhagavath Geeta On Perfect Organization Structure

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"When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe, everything else seems so superfluous." - Albert Einstein

Management, whether of a kingdom or a business enterprise, must be based on a value system, which provides a strong foundation. Successful management is where the value system is robust and rich, encouraging people to identify with it and offer wholehearted cooperation.

For efficient management, the right 'organization structure' is key, as described in the ancient scripture Bhagavath Geeta, the song of the Lord. According to Bhagavath Geeta, the social fabric of all humanity (not just Hindus) is classified into four distinct types based on various action qualities inherent in individuals. These are categorized as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.

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The activities of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras have been divided in accordance with the qualities of their nature. (Chapter 18, Verse 41)

Accordingly, the Brahmins are thinkers, the Kshatriyas are rulers, the Vaishyas are money makers, and the Shudras are laborers.

Bhagavath Geeta's Lesson To The Modern Organization's Structure

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Management deals with people. Everyone is not brave, valiant, clever, and sensitive. In an organization, an employee may display varying characteristics of courage and cowardice, tolerance and intolerance, friendliness and enmity under different circumstances.

In an organization, the advisory board or the Executives are considered to be the Brahmins, the think tank or knowledge creators. They generate new ideas and make decisions.

Managers are the Kshatriyas, who implement the ideas and decisions into action.

The Employees, clerks, or sales team are the Vaishyas who work in the company for profit. They are mainly the ones who generate wealth for the organization.

Last but not least, there are Laborers who are the Shudras and who perform the rest of the physical labor. In the context of an organization, these would include filing, maintaining cleanliness, making deliveries, and more.

Successful organizations give equal importance to all the four categories mentioned above.

Bhagavath Geeta's Relevance To Human Body Structure

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Our head is considered to be the Brahmins since it contains our center of thinking.

Our hands are considered the Kshatriyas since they are the organs of action, of doing things.

Our stomach is considered the Vaishyas since it keeps collecting different things.

Lastly, our feet are considered the Shudras since they take the load and the burden of the entire body.

Note: This article is an attempt to explain the principles behind the modern organization structure and does not carry any religious sentiments.
nashbramhall
Excellent interpretation. Our society deteriorated as the hierarchical structure became watertight and did not remain flexible, whereby people from the shop floor, even when good, could not reach the top. The same happens in organizations where people at the top become corrupt. Brahmins or thinkers should not be self-serving and must work for society.
boss2966
It is indeed a very good interpretation and innovative explanation you have shared with us. Your way of explaining the Bhagavad Gita in a simplified version is truly appreciable. Please accept our sincere appreciations. Have a great week ahead.

Regards
drukganu
I liked the presentation as a whole as the thought process is very clear, and the elaborations/pictorial presentations are apt. I loved the concept as it can help us explain many things we see in the corporate world. Since Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya & Shudra are attitudes (unlike what we see in the social structure where it is by birth), a salesperson (Vaishya by the concept), by acquiring different skills - the managerial skills - can penetrate the higher echelons of the pyramid. Thus, it becomes an open - shall we say - a caste-less society. It is also possible to be crowned Head HR and/or an MD because of family business, but not belonging to the arena due to a lack of training. In such a scenario, a functional head is bound to fail as he/she does not fulfill the job function matrix.

Very nice presentation.

Regards, Dr. Ulhas Ganu
avsjai
It is indeed very nice to see your inputs, Dr. Ulhas Prasad. I agree with your views and let your humble message of a caste-less society prevail in the corporate world in the future. Thanks for your great feedback.
aks1786
Dear AVS ji, Good interpretation! But this is only one aspect with which you attempted excellently to explain the state of affairs. There are other aspects and messages in the Bhagavad Gita which could be helpful for humanity, like personal development, social harmony, intellectual convictions, guidelines for moral and social conduct, etc. One point is humbly offered to all for pondering.

Topic: Personality Development (Basics)

The basic identity of every human being is that he/she is a spirit, not a body. The body is transient, while the basic identity, the spirit, is permanent. (ref. Gita-Ch.II) The ultimate goal of every being is to attain "uninterrupted or unlimited bliss and happiness." No limited or transient thing can give us complete satisfaction or peace. Thus, always remembering and reminding ourselves about our basic identity and ultimate goal will keep us on the right track, no matter what may happen to us in life.

Regards
V.Raghunathan
Nice to see the interpretation of the song "Celestial" that I missed in the past. The classification of work for a society to function in an orderly way is a clear message. The logic of extending the classification to the various parts of the body is interesting. Above all, the purpose of classification was only to ensure smooth functioning. Unfortunately, narrow-minded people indulged in self-styled pseudo-supremacy and started looking down upon others. The Bhagavad Gita also says that deeds are more important than seeking an identity by birth. Let us hope for a society where there is classification but no discrimination.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai
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