Indian ethos for work life

The silent ideas and thoughts of Indian Ethos in Management revealed by Indian’s ancient scriptures are:

1. Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha: All work is an opportunity for doing well to the world and thus gaining materially and spiritually in our lives.
2. Archet Dana Manabhyam: Worship people not only with material things but also by showing respect to their enterprising divinity within.
3. Atmana Vindyate Viryam: Strength and inspiration for excelling in work comes from the Divine, God within, through prayer, spiritual reading and unselfish work.
4. Yogah Karmashu Kaushalam, Samatvam Yoga Uchyate: He who works with calm and even mind achieves the most.
5. Yadishi Bhavana Yasya Siddhi Bhavati Tadrishi: As we think, so we succeed, so we become. Attention to means, ensure the end.
6. Parasparam Bhavatantah Shreyah Param Bhavapsyathah: By mutual cooperation, respect and fellow felling, all of us enjoy the highest good both material and spiritual.

7. Tesham Sukhm Tesham Shanti Shaswati: Infinite happiness and infinite peace come to them who see the Divine in all beings.
8. Paraspar Devo Bhava: Regard the other person as a divine being.

All of us have the same consciousness though our packages and containers are different.

Indian ethos is needed due to the following reasons:

1. Maintain Holistic Universe: Modern science has accepted that in this holistic universe, all minds and matters are interconnected at a deeper level. The basic unity of life cannot be broken. Love, sacrifice therefore emerges as the only means for a meaningful living. On the basis of this holistic vision, Indians have developed work ethos of life. This helps in living life to the fullest.

2. Elucidate Motivation: Concept of motivation can be explained holistically by Indian ethos. Considering motivations as internal, every human being has the same divine atman with immense potentialities within. Vedanta brings infinite expansions of the mind, breaks down all the barriers and brings out the God in man. Motivation is to be internal and not external. Such motivation involves the inner beauty and does not promote any greed in an individual to have more and more in return for his work.

3. Welfare: Indian ethos teaches welfare of all (yagna spirit). “Atmano Mokharth Jagat Hitay Cha” (serve your personal interest but do not forget others). This philosophy is needed in modern times.

4. Unique Work Culture: Indian ethos helps in development of unique work culture. Work is considered as duty or Sadhana and there is no difference between Karma(work) and Dharma(religion). The term Dharma does not indicate any particular religion. Dharma is a duty to be performed in a given situation. Thus, Dharma is possible through Karma only.
5. Evenness of Mind: Indian ethos helps in evenness of mind. Means are equally important as the ends. Thus, society acceptable values are to be followed in determining the objectives as well as in the process of achieving these objectives.

6. Self-development: Integrated human personality of self-developed manager can assure best and competent management of any enterprise, involving collective works and efforts. The refined or higher consciousness will adopt holistic attitude. It will bring out the divine in man. It will achieve perfection or excellence in whatsoever sector of work. One shall achieve peace, harmony and prosperity within and without, i.e., in the internal world and in the external world simultaneously.
7. Provides Concentration: Vedanta provides the ways and means of controlling the mind. It helps to concentrate, increase efficiency, productivity and prosperity. It is not religion of resignation and retirement. One cannot renounce their action. As the Gita says “You have to be a man of action, do not run away from your action or Karma but the same should be according to your Dharma”. The second aspect, is while doing the Karma; do not be tempted by worldly pleasures, materialism and the results. One has to be man of action, working in a spirit of renunciation. Renunciation does not mean living a life of isolation or living in a forest. One has to face the world and should not run away from your action. Do not get attached to anything.
8. Establishes Value System: Many of the present ills are the results of decline in our value system and loss of character. Forces of fierce competition in the technology driven era of globalisation have taken a heavy toll of traditional values. People need to re-imbibe the sanatan values of honesty, integrity, compassion, care and cooperation.

There is again a need to establish conduct, based on truth and non-violence, peace, and harmony. One needs to promote a secular ethos that entails ‘sarva-dharm-sambhav’. That alone will promote enshrined in our ancient maxim of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’. That will be India’s unique contribution towards enrichment of content of globalisation which today has its focus only on trade and commerce.