MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM MAHABHARATA

Presentation by Kruthika.C.G

"Yada Yada Hi DharmasyaGlanirva Bhavathi BharathaAbhyuthanam AdharmasyaTadatmanam Srijami Aham

Paritranaya SadhunaamVinashaya Cha DushkritaanDharma SansthapnayaArthaya Sambhawani Yuge Yuge.."

Whenever righteousness is on the decline, and unrighteousness is on the ascent, Oh arjuna!, then I embody myself on earth. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil, and for the fulfillment of the kingdom of righteousness, I am born on this earth, age after age

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION BHAGAVAN VYASA, BHAGAVAN VYASA,

the celebrated the celebrated compiler of the compiler of the Vedas, was the son of Vedas, was the son of the great sage the great sage Parasara. It was he Parasara. It was he who gave to the who gave to the world the divine epic world the divine epic of the Mahabharata. of the Mahabharata.

Mahabharata came Mahabharata came to be written by to be written by Ganapati to the Ganapati to the dictation of Vyasa. dictation of Vyasa.

Shantanu Shantanu Kings Shantanu of Kings Shantanu of

hastinapur saw a beautiful hastinapur saw a beautiful woman on the banks of woman on the banks of the river Ganga and asked the river Ganga and asked her to marry him. her to marry him.

She agreed but with one She agreed but with one condition: that Shantanu condition: that Shantanu would not ask any would not ask any questions about her questions about her actions. actions.

They married and soon They married and soon Ganga gave birth. Ganga gave birth.

But Ganga drowned the the first But Ganga drowned the the first seven in a river immediately after seven in a river immediately after their birth. their birth.

Shantanu couldn't ask why Shantanu couldn't ask why because of his promise not to ask because of his promise not to ask else she would leave. else she would leave.

One by one, seven children were One by one, seven children were drowned. Shantanu couldn't hold drowned. Shantanu couldn't hold his curiosity and asked Ganga why his curiosity and asked Ganga why she was killing the children when she was killing the children when she was about to drown the eighth she was about to drown the eighth child.child.

Ganga let the eighth child live and Ganga let the eighth child live and he was called Devavrata (later he was called Devavrata (later Bhishma). Bhishma).

When Shantanu's son When Shantanu's son BhishmaBhishma had grown into a had grown into a young handsome prince, young handsome prince, Shantanu came across Shantanu came across SatyavatiSatyavati, an adopted , an adopted daughter of Dāsaraja (a daughter of Dāsaraja (a ferryman on the ferryman on the YamunaYamuna river), and fell in love with river), and fell in love with her. Dāsaraja agreed to the her. Dāsaraja agreed to the marriage on condition that marriage on condition that any child any child SatyavatiSatyavati bore bore him would inherit the him would inherit the throne. throne.

King Shantanu was unable to King Shantanu was unable to give his word on accession as give his word on accession as it would be unfair to it would be unfair to BhishmaBhishma, , the rightful heir to the throne.the rightful heir to the throne.

However, However, BhishmaBhishma came to came to know of this and in the know of this and in the ultimate gesture of ultimate gesture of renunciation and sacrifice for renunciation and sacrifice for the sake of his father, gave his the sake of his father, gave his word to Dāshraj that he would word to Dāshraj that he would renounce all claims to the renounce all claims to the throne, in favour of Satyavati's throne, in favour of Satyavati's children. children.

To reassure the skeptical To reassure the skeptical ferryman further, he also ferryman further, he also vowed life-long celibacy to vowed life-long celibacy to ensure that future generations ensure that future generations borne of Satyavati are also not borne of Satyavati are also not challenged by his offspring. challenged by his offspring.

Shantanu and Satyavati went on to have Shantanu and Satyavati went on to have two sons, Chitrāngada and Vichitravirya. two sons, Chitrāngada and Vichitravirya. After Shantanu's death, Satyavati After Shantanu's death, Satyavati continued to rule the kingdom with her two continued to rule the kingdom with her two sons, with help from Bhishma. sons, with help from Bhishma.

CHITRANGADA, the son of Satyavati, was CHITRANGADA, the son of Satyavati, was killed in battle with a Gandharva. killed in battle with a Gandharva.

As he died childless, his brother, As he died childless, his brother, Vichitravirya, was the rightful heir and was Vichitravirya, was the rightful heir and was duly crowned king. And as he was a minor, duly crowned king. And as he was a minor, Bhishma governed the kingdom in his Bhishma governed the kingdom in his name till be came of age. name till be came of age.

When Vichitravirya reached When Vichitravirya reached adolescence Bhishma cast about for adolescence Bhishma cast about for a bride for him. a bride for him.

Bhimsha will win the three daughters Bhimsha will win the three daughters of King Kashi i.e. AMBA,AMBIKA, of King Kashi i.e. AMBA,AMBIKA, AMBALIKA for Vichitravirya. AMBALIKA for Vichitravirya.

Ambika, Ambalika will marry Ambika, Ambalika will marry vichitravirya.vichitravirya.

Ambika son is DhritarashtraAmbika son is Dhritarashtra Ambalika son is Pandu Ambalika son is Pandu

Shantanu

Ganaga Satyavathi

Bhishma ChandraguptaVichitravirya

Pandu

AmbalikaAmbika

Kauravas Pandavas

Dhritarastra

GeneralsGenerals

KauravasKauravas BhishmaBhishma DronacharyaDronacharya KarnaKarna ShalyaShalya KripacharyaKripacharya AshwathamaAshwathama DuryodhanaDuryodhana

PandavasPandavas ArjunaArjuna BhimaBhima DhristhadyumaDhristhadyuma AbhimanyuAbhimanyu GhatotkachGhatotkach ShikandiShikandi SatyakiSatyaki

BackgroundBackground PANDAVASPANDAVAS Exciled for 13yrs. Have no kingdom. Exciled for 13yrs. Have no kingdom.

Their main strength in terms of Their main strength in terms of political and financial power political and financial power depends on friends and relatives. depends on friends and relatives. The Panchalas, The Madavas, The The Panchalas, The Madavas, The Magadha and The Chedis.Magadha and The Chedis.

Kauravas Kauravas In Power for 13yrs. Duryodhan has In Power for 13yrs. Duryodhan has

been a benevolent king. There is no been a benevolent king. There is no guarantee that the subjects really guarantee that the subjects really miss the Pandavas. Not only they miss the Pandavas. Not only they have the wealth and power of have the wealth and power of Hastinapur , but also Indraprastha, Hastinapur , but also Indraprastha, the kingdom that the pandavas had the kingdom that the pandavas had taken such labors to build and which taken such labors to build and which had surpassed Hastina of old in all had surpassed Hastina of old in all degrees. Karna had gone on a degrees. Karna had gone on a nation wide conquering on behalf of nation wide conquering on behalf of Duryodana. They are the national Duryodana. They are the national sovereigns. sovereigns.

MotivationMotivation

KauravasKauravas

““Without war, will concede Without war, will concede not a needle prick of not a needle prick of earth-” Duryodhanaearth-” Duryodhana

PandavasPandavas

““we fight over a kingdom, we fight over a kingdom, as dogs over a piece of as dogs over a piece of meat”- Yudhisthirameat”- Yudhisthira

ResultResult War lasted for 18 daysWar lasted for 18 days 10 days - Bhisma10 days - Bhisma 3 days - Drona3 days - Drona 1½ days - Karna1½ days - Karna ½ day - No General½ day - No General 1 day - Shalya 1 day - Shalya 1 night - Ashwatthama1 night - Ashwatthama

1818thth night of war night of war Ashwatthama slaughtered the pandava camp in sleepAshwatthama slaughtered the pandava camp in sleep

Before thatBefore that KauravasKauravas BHISMA, DRONA, KARNA , SHALYA, BHAGADUTTA, BHISMA, DRONA, KARNA , SHALYA, BHAGADUTTA,

BURISRANA, SUSHARMA, JAYADRATH, DUSHYASANA and all BURISRANA, SUSHARMA, JAYADRATH, DUSHYASANA and all of Duryodhana’s brothers.of Duryodhana’s brothers.

PandavasPandavas Drupad, Virat and his sons, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach and Drupad, Virat and his sons, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach and

Iravan. Iravan.

So How Did So How Did The The

Pandavas Pandavas WinWin

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PreparationPreparation KauravasKauravas Karna went on a country wide military mission, subdued the Karna went on a country wide military mission, subdued the

different kingdoms and acquired wealth. But it meant a different kingdoms and acquired wealth. But it meant a loss in terms of both men and money and creation of new loss in terms of both men and money and creation of new enemiesenemies

PandavasPandavas Though in excile they turned their attention to improving Though in excile they turned their attention to improving

over their weakness.over their weakness. Arjuna set out on a mission to acquire DivyastrasArjuna set out on a mission to acquire Divyastras Bhima met his brother Hanuman and got a blessing of Bhima met his brother Hanuman and got a blessing of

enhanced strengthenhanced strength Yudhisthira acquired teachings from the various wise rishis, Yudhisthira acquired teachings from the various wise rishis,

and also learnt the game of dice from Ganharva Catrasena, and also learnt the game of dice from Ganharva Catrasena, lest he was challenged to yet another dice game. Its said lest he was challenged to yet another dice game. Its said that he had become undefeatable in Dice.that he had become undefeatable in Dice.

MORAL: Turn your weakness into your strength. MORAL: Turn your weakness into your strength.

AlliesAllies KauravasKauravas Centralised power system.The greatest empire of the Centralised power system.The greatest empire of the

time.But not many powerful allies except from old time.But not many powerful allies except from old relationship from far off places like Gandhara (shakhuni), relationship from far off places like Gandhara (shakhuni), Sindhu (Jayadrath) and Kambodia(Camboja-Bhagadutt)Sindhu (Jayadrath) and Kambodia(Camboja-Bhagadutt)

PandavasPandavas No wealth no power of their own, but had powerful allies all No wealth no power of their own, but had powerful allies all

over the world.over the world. Panchala through marriage with DraupadiPanchala through marriage with Draupadi Dwarak through marriage with Arjuna and SubhadraDwarak through marriage with Arjuna and Subhadra Magadh through marriage of sahadeva and VijayaMagadh through marriage of sahadeva and Vijaya Chedi through marriage of Nakula and KarenmayiChedi through marriage of Nakula and Karenmayi Kasi through marriage of Yudhisthira and DevikaKasi through marriage of Yudhisthira and Devika Matsya through marriage of Abhimanyu and UttaraMatsya through marriage of Abhimanyu and Uttara The Rakshasas through marriage of Bhima and HidimbaThe Rakshasas through marriage of Bhima and Hidimba The nagas through marriage of Arjuna and uloopiThe nagas through marriage of Arjuna and uloopi

Moral : Make powerful AlliesMoral : Make powerful Allies

LeadershipLeadership KauravasKauravas Centralised leadership. One head of army at a time who has Centralised leadership. One head of army at a time who has

supreme authority of 11 akshouhini of armysupreme authority of 11 akshouhini of army Bhisma, Drona, Karna, Shalya, AshwatthamaBhisma, Drona, Karna, Shalya, Ashwatthama

Pandavas:Pandavas: Distributed leadership. Seven commanders for the 7 Distributed leadership. Seven commanders for the 7

divisions ( 1 man command 1 Akshouhini each)divisions ( 1 man command 1 Akshouhini each) Virat king of MatsyaVirat king of Matsya Drupad King of PanchalaDrupad King of Panchala Sahadeva King of MagadhaSahadeva King of Magadha Dhrishtaketu king of ChediDhrishtaketu king of Chedi Satyaki only warrior from DwarakaSatyaki only warrior from Dwaraka Shikandi Prince of PancalaShikandi Prince of Pancala Dhristadyumna: commander in chiefDhristadyumna: commander in chief Arjuna: Supreme commanderArjuna: Supreme commander Krishna: Arjuna charioteer and counselor.Krishna: Arjuna charioteer and counselor.

Moral: Share your responsibilities Moral: Share your responsibilities

Individual MotivesIndividual Motives KauravasKauravas Except for Duryodhana no body wanted the Except for Duryodhana no body wanted the

war. All the 4 main generals had strong ties war. All the 4 main generals had strong ties with the pandavaswith the pandavas

Bhishma(grandchildren)- won’t kill the Bhishma(grandchildren)- won’t kill the pandavas will kill a thousand soldiers each pandavas will kill a thousand soldiers each day.day.

Drona(students) – won’t kill the pandavas will Drona(students) – won’t kill the pandavas will capture them onlycapture them only

Shalya(Nakula, Sahadeva Maternal uncle): Shalya(Nakula, Sahadeva Maternal uncle): loved the pandavas and convertly helped them loved the pandavas and convertly helped them by humiliating karna.by humiliating karna.

Karna (brother to the pandavas): promised not Karna (brother to the pandavas): promised not to kill any of the other pandavas except to kill any of the other pandavas except Arjuna.Arjuna.

Individual Motives contd..Individual Motives contd.. PandavasPandavas Common goal. But the individulas had their individual Common goal. But the individulas had their individual

targets. Their own agenda, which just became one with the targets. Their own agenda, which just became one with the team’s agendateam’s agenda

Dhratsadyuma : DronaDhratsadyuma : Drona Shikhandi : BhishmaShikhandi : Bhishma Satayaki : BhurisravasSatayaki : Bhurisravas Arjuna : KarnaArjuna : Karna Bhima : Duryodhana and his brothersBhima : Duryodhana and his brothers Sahadeva : Shakuni and his sonsSahadeva : Shakuni and his sons Nakula : Karna’s sonsNakula : Karna’s sons

Moral: the right team is made by selecting the right Moral: the right team is made by selecting the right individuals. Get the right man for the right job.individuals. Get the right man for the right job.

Team SpiritTeam Spirit Kauravas: No team spirit. They all fought their individual Kauravas: No team spirit. They all fought their individual

warwar Bhishma: for his vow to protect the throne HastinapurBhishma: for his vow to protect the throne Hastinapur Drona and Kripa: They owed allegiance to the throne.Drona and Kripa: They owed allegiance to the throne. Shalya: simply cheated by Duryodhana to be there, was Shalya: simply cheated by Duryodhana to be there, was

originally pandava ally.originally pandava ally. Karna: to Prove his mantle against Arjuna. Friendship for Karna: to Prove his mantle against Arjuna. Friendship for

Duryodhana.Duryodhana. They didn’t gel with each other. Bhisma and Karna, Bhisma They didn’t gel with each other. Bhisma and Karna, Bhisma

and Shakuni, Karna and Shakuni, Karna and Shalya, Shalya and Shakuni, Karna and Shakuni, Karna and Shalya, Shalya and Bhisma. It was like a bee , hornets and mosquitoes and Bhisma. It was like a bee , hornets and mosquitoes put together in a jarput together in a jar

PandavasPandavas one team, one goal. As men, they all had huge respect for one team, one goal. As men, they all had huge respect for

Krishna and Yudhistira. While as warriors they were in Krishna and Yudhistira. While as warriors they were in complete awe of Bhima and Arjuna. Most ot them were complete awe of Bhima and Arjuna. Most ot them were close relatives. Cousins, brother in law, father in law. close relatives. Cousins, brother in law, father in law. More than that they all were part of decision making More than that they all were part of decision making process. It was their commom war.process. It was their commom war.

Moral: Team work succeeds whereas individual effort fails.Moral: Team work succeeds whereas individual effort fails.

CommitmentCommitment KauravasKauravas Already said that Big 4 had big Already said that Big 4 had big

emotional attachment with the 5 emotional attachment with the 5 pandavas. Looking further on their pandavas. Looking further on their commitment.commitment.

Bhishma himself gave away the secret Bhishma himself gave away the secret of killing him to the pandavas. He of killing him to the pandavas. He prolonged war by killing only prolonged war by killing only inconsequential soldier. He did not fight inconsequential soldier. He did not fight a warrior like Shikhandi because of his a warrior like Shikhandi because of his personal bias.personal bias.

Drona too indirectly gave away his Drona too indirectly gave away his secret, by saying he was invulnerable as secret, by saying he was invulnerable as long as he held a weapon. Moreover he long as he held a weapon. Moreover he abandoned weapon as soon as he knew abandoned weapon as soon as he knew his son had died.his son had died.

Karna did not kill Yudhistira and Bhima Karna did not kill Yudhistira and Bhima when he got a chace. He gave his when he got a chace. He gave his kavach and Kundala prior to his warkavach and Kundala prior to his war

Shalya kept on insulting Karna while in Shalya kept on insulting Karna while in the battle. the battle.

Commitment contd.. Commitment contd.. Pandavas.Pandavas. Abimanyu a 16 yr old ventured beyond Abimanyu a 16 yr old ventured beyond

enemy lines alone. This was suicide enemy lines alone. This was suicide mission but still went in and took a great mission but still went in and took a great part of the army down with him. It took the part of the army down with him. It took the combined effort of 7 Maharathas to take combined effort of 7 Maharathas to take him down.him down.

Ghatotkach even in death, took with him Ghatotkach even in death, took with him almost half the army. almost half the army.

Yudhistira knew he couldn’t face Karna in Yudhistira knew he couldn’t face Karna in war, but still went into set and example. war, but still went into set and example. He won’t hesitate to tell a lie or a twisted He won’t hesitate to tell a lie or a twisted truth when faced with the decision of truth when faced with the decision of whether to stick to his personal integrity or whether to stick to his personal integrity or welfare of the team.welfare of the team.

Moral:Moral: The intersest of the individual should never The intersest of the individual should never

exceed the tem interest.exceed the tem interest. The best man for a job is not the one with The best man for a job is not the one with

the capabilities but one with greater the capabilities but one with greater commitment. commitment.

Right ManagerRight Manager Krishna: The greatest crisis manager the Krishna: The greatest crisis manager the

world has seen.world has seen. Yudhistir: Low key strategist.Yudhistir: Low key strategist. On the 1On the 1stst day of war he played a master day of war he played a master

game. Went over to the enemy side to game. Went over to the enemy side to seek blessings from elders. In reality he seek blessings from elders. In reality he made a covert of their agreed to help him made a covert of their agreed to help him and unfolded the secrets of defeating and unfolded the secrets of defeating them.them.

While coming back, he took a calculated While coming back, he took a calculated risk. He made an offer to all assembled risk. He made an offer to all assembled people to change sides if they wanted to. people to change sides if they wanted to. He knew well of the lack of cohesiveness He knew well of the lack of cohesiveness among the kauravas.among the kauravas.

Yuyutsu, son of Dhritarsthra crossed over Yuyutsu, son of Dhritarsthra crossed over to pandavas. This exposed weakness of to pandavas. This exposed weakness of kauravas for all to see.kauravas for all to see.

MoralMoral Know your enemies weakness and exploit Know your enemies weakness and exploit

them.them. Take calculated risk.Take calculated risk. Inspire, invigorate, counsel your own Inspire, invigorate, counsel your own

team in moments of need.team in moments of need.

Women EmpowermentWomen Empowerment KauravasKauravas Patriarchal structurePatriarchal structure Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Dhirtarstra, Vidhu, Shakuni, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Dhirtarstra, Vidhu, Shakuni,

Duryodhana, Karna, Dushyasana Duryodhana, Karna, Dushyasana No women in decision making process. Gandhari retreated No women in decision making process. Gandhari retreated

to inner chambers. Nobody listened to her.to inner chambers. Nobody listened to her.

Pandavas: Pandavas: Matriarchal structure. Matriarchal structure. Kunti was the authority supreme for the pandavasKunti was the authority supreme for the pandavas Draupadi was a companion in whatever the pandavs Draupadi was a companion in whatever the pandavs

did.She had big role in all the decision making process.did.She had big role in all the decision making process. Even the younger pandavas,: Gatotkach, Abhimanyu and Even the younger pandavas,: Gatotkach, Abhimanyu and

Iravan were brought up by their mother so the female Iravan were brought up by their mother so the female influence was huge.influence was huge.

Women= better half. Any team which doesn’t have women Women= better half. Any team which doesn’t have women is unbalance, for the Masculine traits of aggression and is unbalance, for the Masculine traits of aggression and Dominance should be balanced by the feminine traits of Dominance should be balanced by the feminine traits of harmony and sustenance.harmony and sustenance.

RecapRecap Turn your weakness into strengthTurn your weakness into strength Turn enemies into alliesTurn enemies into allies Share your responsibilities.Share your responsibilities. Teamwork scores over individual effort.Teamwork scores over individual effort. Right team=right set of individuals. The right man for the Right team=right set of individuals. The right man for the

right job.right job. Commitment scores over competence.Commitment scores over competence. Team interest over individual interest.Team interest over individual interest. Know your enemy. Exploit their weakenss. Know your enemy. Exploit their weakenss. Take calculated risk.Take calculated risk. Right managers: to inspire, invigorate, counsel in crisis.Right managers: to inspire, invigorate, counsel in crisis. Empower women: the Gender balance is required for Empower women: the Gender balance is required for

stability and administration.stability and administration.

Thank youThank you