Learning From Indian Epics and History

Indian literature is rich in knowledge, traditions, mythology and history. This wealth of knowledge guides us in understanding the strong and weak points of the personalities involved and therefore the ways to develop our own selves and the skills to run our personal and professional lives. Indian civilisation is millennia old and provides very useful information on how, the historical personalities achieved their vision, always keeping ethical behaviour in mind. In the epic of “Ramayan”, Lord Shriram is an ideal human being always living within the ethical boundaries showing vision, strategy and decision making, along with excellent skills of negotiation, conflict resolution, compassion, and sensitivity to understand the opinions and misgivings of ordinary citizens. Therefore, his reign is always known as ideal “Ram Rajya’ for every leader to aspire for and follow. In Mahabharat, Lord Shrikrishna is the universal guide in making correct strategies to realise the vision through ethics, righteousness and ensuring “Dharma” winning over “Adharma”. During the Mahabharat war, Lord Shrikrishna educates Arjun about “Nishkam Karmyog” which means, everyone must do his duty without expecting the fruits. This knowledge is for everyone to follow. Chanakya, was an accomplished philosopher and guide to establish and help run the Mauryan Empire through his numerous “sutras” (guidance principles). Those are relevant and applicable even today. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj realised his vision of “Swarajya” (self-rule) by establishing and running successfully, a Hindu Kingdom among the widespread Mogul rule in India, His, is a poignant story of ethics, discipline, strategy, and exemplary skill of team building. Samarth Ramdas was an ardent devotee of Lord Shriram and has written extensive pieces of literature to guide the human mind and how to run any organisation as a leader. His literature is laced with spiritualism, Indian mythology and history have innumerable characters for study and learning. But only representative ones are included in this book as a glimpse of the knowledge available for study.