The Wisdom of Rama

Lessons in Management | Strategy | Governance | Statecraft

Most of you who have read Valmiki’s magnum opus R?m?yana would recollect the part where Bharata comes to plead with his elder brother Rama to give up his harsh vow of vanv?s, and return to Ayodhya to take his rightful place as the sovereign emperor. 

This scene in the great epic’s Ayodhy?-k?nda section takes place in the ashram of Rishi Bharadwaj. 

Lord Rama’s deep and insightful exchange with Bharata regarding the state of the kingdom and his enquiries about various aspects of Bharata’s sovereign responsibilities are golden lessons in governance, statecraft, strategy, and management-relevant and invaluable even in the current world that we live in. 

Probably more so now than ever! 

Every king, president, prime minister… and even any corporate CEO should treasure and benefit from these.

The queries that Rama raised and the blunt, direct advice that he gives Bharata are truly gems that do not need any further elucidation.

Respect for people with knowledge and subject matter experts: 

§ Are you treating the learned gurus and priests (like Vashishta), advisors, physicians and other experts with due regard and giving them the respect they deserve? 

§ Hope you are appointing as your ambassadors those who are capable, smart, articulate, and possessed of good judgement?

§ Moreover, says Rama, it’s important to be surrounded by a few wise men (and women) rather than thousands of fools and yes-men in a delusional echo chamber of your creation. 

The Art of strategizing and actioning: 

§ Trust you are surrounded by ministers and bureaucrats who are composed, mature, intelligent, strategic and well-intentioned? 

§ And hope dear Bharata, you do not take your decisions alone and impulsively, but in consultation with these learned team members of yours?

 § Rama goes on to advise that any grand idea should have a small, pilot test start for it to be successful in the larger format.

 § Bharata, hope you conceptualize a well-thought-out strategy and implement it with precision, without delay, and ensuring that you stick to the planned launch time-neither before nor later.

 § Do not let in too many people on your strategy and planned action ahead of time, as this will surely dilute the desired outcome.

 § Rama goes on to quiz if Bharata gets to spend quality time late at night thinking through these strategies. Further he quips that he hopes Bharata is not wasting time sleeping in the afternoons!

(Clearly a siesta is not recommended for the ruler with huge responsibilities!)

Upholding meritocracy and a creating a robust rewards and recognition culture

§ My dear younger brother Bharata, it is important to reward and retain ministers, physicians, warriors and generals of great competence.

§ There is a piece of blunt advice by Rama to get rid of those who are inimical to the ruler and who if left unchecked can cause great harm to the kingdom.

 § Also ensure that your best subjects are rewarded handsomely and on time, as any delay in recognizing your best performers with good monetary benefits will have disastrous effects on their motivation.

Shun worthless intellectual pursuits which bear no positive result:

 § Beware Bharata of learned intellectuals who have impressive communication skills and can twist any logic to suit the issue and subject.  

 § Such perverted intelligence will sway the audience, but will deliver no good to anyone in the end.

Know and recognize your enemies

§ Hope you are keeping track of your enemies and those who are inimical to your welfare and that of the nation.

§ Do not underestimate even a defeated and subdued enemy. You do so at your own peril.

 § Hope you have enough spies(read intel) about your enemies’ plans, and equally about the gaps in your current state of preparedness?

 Creating a great nation that respects women and treasures the environment

 § Dear Bharata, I am sure you are ensuring safety and protection to all the women of this land?

 § Please make sure the forests and grasslands which are vital to the survival of animals are preserved by you.

 § There is a line exhorting Bharata to greet trees, as they are believed to be the abode of the Gods.

Prudent financial management

§ Ensure that your expenditure is well managed and never exceeds your income.

§ Also trust you have enough cash reserves after meeting all your expenses?

 § This is the wisdom of balance of accounts for companies and nations-totally relevant even today.

Fairness in all dealings

§ Justice should be done in every trial and conviction, as the tears of a falsely accused person can burn your kingdom to ashes like wildfire.

Practicing balance in all that we do

§ Nothing should be overdone. There is a time and place for religious activities, affairs of the State/government and time for indulging in sensual pleasures.

§ The fine balance between moksha (spiritual pursuits), artha (material pursuits), kama (sensory and sensual pursuits) is vital.

The mark of a great human being is humility

§ Be polite and get up to receive those who come to meet you or seek your help.

§ I hope you are cordial, respectful and down to earth with elders and learned people.

 The vital commandments for a ruler

This deals with:

§ 14-The fourteen common failings of kings

§ 8-The eight measures to be taken which will prove to be  conducive to the welfare of the state and its people

§ 5-The five kinds of fortifications that one needs to put in place to prevent attack by enemies

§ 6-The six strategic actions against an enemy.

This is a gem of a piece that covers:

a)causing dissension amongst the enemies’ ranks

b)getting the enemy’s key lieutenants to your side by exploiting their current mistreatment at the hands of their master i.e. the enemy.

c)It also covers the types of enemies that one will encounter and what should be the strategy to deal with each of these types. 

I have tried to summarize some of the key lessons and takeaways from the epic. What is captured above is a puny attempt and a pale version of the more detailed and truly impactful passages in the Lord’s own words- that will leave you clearly stupefied and awestruck!

April 21, 2021 is Ram Navami which celebrates the birth of the Eternal Lord. Instead of exploiting His name for narrow gains, all those who swear devotion to Rama should contemplate on His teachings and follow them in spirit.

 Author :S ‘Venky’ Venkatesh | First published: March 14, 2021

Disclaimer and note: Views expressed are totally personal to the Author.