Have you ever read the Bhagavad Gita other than knowing it’s a part of our ancient Hindu scriptures? The depth of each phrase or verse in this epic creation has a generous amount of information that can be applied to the real world.
The Bhagavad Gita has not only life lessons but references to any subject or field of study. Over the years, interpreting this great writing has provided immense knowledge in how we should conduct ourselves and better our lives and that of others. The simplicity in which each life lesson has been immaculately put forth has gotten several scholars across the globe to sit up and notice the ancient wisdom of our country.
The entire book contains the long-running conversation between Lord Krishna and the great warrior Arjun, the backdrop of war. Several pointers for entrepreneurs are mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, enabling you to shape your business in the right direction and gain immensely.
Business Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita
Let’s have a look at them and understand their perspective.
- Work hard, but don’t work to only look for rewards. These will come to you when you deserve them and not make them cause for inaction.
Lesson: As entrepreneurs, we aim to consistently make the best products and provide quality at fair prices. Customers will definitely resonate with your brand philosophy and help achieve your goal. Anticipating great returns without working on your product or service will not yield results.
- Evolving with time and understanding new circumstances are among the leadership qualities.
Lesson: Innovation and exploration terms of technology and perspectives must be adapted by entrepreneurs heading their firms. To grow and take your team with you to excellence, there is a need to adopt the ‘new’ to rise to the challenges of the future.
- Work on a given task, and do not attach yourself to success or failure. Have a state equilibrium in any situation.
Lesson: Businesses are prone to ups and downs. Dwelling too much on each will hamper growth and progress. Working consistently and improving on what you have at hand will enable you to handle every situation well.
- The urge to learn, communicate well, having equanimity- 3 leadership qualities
Lesson: As an entrepreneur, to lead your team to success, your ability to learn and understand matters most. Effective Communicating will define how you can get others to implement your ideas. Not being biased and judgemental will help you achieve harmony and encourage others to respect you.
- Enrich yourself with the power of your mind, and don’t bring yourself down because the mind can be your enemy and friend.
Lesson: A good deal of introspection and gaining perspective will help regain a balanced state of mind. Keeping a healthy mind and not allowing them to overpower your actions enables you to take on good business decisions.
- Keeping a state of calm at any point in time
Lesson: High-pressure situations in business often bring high levels of stress and anxiety to the mind. This could lead to adverse impacts when making decisions or finding solutions. The state of calmness in any situation will help you to be better at your job.
- The ultimate acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance should need utmost consideration. These acts must be performed to purify ourselves, which everyone should do.
Lesson: Now, it is part of corporate responsibility. However, individually, everyone must work on themselves in this direction of self-analysis, in giving to others and working hard each day to be better individuals and enabling us to guide others in running a business.
- The knowledge and experience of the one leading should reach all.
Lesson: Starting a business and heading it also means you will be leading a team. They will benefit when you guide them with your knowledge and experience, enabling them to help grow the venture they are involved in and in life as well.
- Intellect brings in goodness. Here, the question lies in what the proper action is and when it is not. What is the duty, and which is not? What has to be feared and what hasn’t? Finally, what is binding, and what liberates?
Lesson: This question asked by Arjun or Parth to Lord Krishna tells us that when we run an enterprise, we should know what to prioritize and when to set boundaries. It will help keep ourselves calm and clear our heads, allowing us to understand which has to be handled first.
- Being steadfast is a divine quality that lets you control your mind, life, and senses. He leads you to persevere in the path of goodness.
Lesson: Not losing faith, even during the lows, requires a strong mindset to carry on despite the obstacles. The strength derived will help you build the character that can shape life, not lose hope and continue on that course.
Business leaders may value management courses they would’ve studied. However, the fundamental management skills from Krishna and Arjun’s conversation can enable you to make wiser decisions, leading to positive outcomes and improvement in all aspects.
From the Bhagavad Gita, we can continue to take in various derivations that apply to life. From this timeless text, we can note that karma, detachment, and dharma remind business leaders to be mindful of the impact of their decisions—being aware of not getting too associated with success or failure and working on the purpose of life.