SHRI RāMA'S KALYANA GUNA AND POSITIVE LEADERSHIP

This article explores the positive leadership practices exhibited by Shri Rāma as per the great Indian epic Valmiki Ramayana, which has been a guiding force in transforming many till date. Positive leadership is a process where leader facilitates positive deviant performance, nurture affirmative direction and centres on virtuousness, which is the paramount of human state of affairs. The individual’s practicing virtuous behaviour exhibits humanity, humility, humbleness, empathy, valour, perceived justice etc which are essential for being positive leadership (Cameron, 2004:12). Gardner (1983) theory of multiple intelligence supports that?individual dimension on interpersonal, interpersonal and linguistic create the arpeggio of intelligence, which is essential for effective leadership. These two theories resonate with the conversation of two maharishis in the beginning of the great epic Valmiki Ramayana defining the concept of leadership and its characteristics. They identified sixteen noble qualities known as Kalyana Gunas, which is being discussed as pre-requisites of positive leadership. Leaders who possess these virtues or qualities are able to build admiration, respect, trust and motivation among the people in the organisation leading to extraordinary performance. The understanding of these discussions will inspire and guide individuals on leadership globally.

Today both the corporate world and civil society need dynamic individuals who demonstrate positive deviance and virtuousness to influence lead and inspire towards flourishing in a diverse environment irrespective of the circumstance. ?To be effective in the art of leadership, leaders need to take a personal interest in achieving the long-term development of individuals, groups and organisations. Leadership is not about being good to others; it’s the art of providing hope and direction towards the right path to achieve common objectives. It's about working on individual's strengths and creating hope for ones future (career) through positive deviance. Since leadership is about public life, it focuses on perseverance in being optimistic or affirmative by not allowing others' behaviours to dominate one's virtuous behaviour and attitude.

The work of Cameron (positive and virtuous leadership) and Gardner (multiple intelligence) resonate with the conversation amid two great personalities from ancient Indian wisdom defining the qualities of a leader. Sage Maharishi Valmiki author of the great epic literature Ramayana discusses the positive deviance and virtuous leadership characteristics with Sage Narada at the beginning of the chapter (Bala Kanda-Chapter 1, Valmiki Ramayana-VR). To understand what was so interesting that psychologist of Harvard and Michigan Universities work resonates with Maharishi Valmiki’s conversation with Sage Naradha on leadership.? ?Lets explore the paper to understand the virtues that were demonstrated or practised by Kausalya Rāma, which made him an ideal human being apart from being an ideal son, brother, husband and king (leader); He was an embodiment of truth, righteousness and epitome of virtues which qualified or entitled him to be addressed as ‘Maryada Purushottam’.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374558287_UNDERSTANDING_POSITIVE_LEADERSHIP_FROM_MARYADA_PURSHOTTAM_THE_KALYANA_GUNA'S_OF_SHRI_JANAKI_RAMA