A manager has to manage adversities and make the best use of available resources. This requires understanding almost all the sections discussed above, especially principles in section 20, i.e. success mantra, qualities mentioned in section 40 (leaders) and 41 (ethical hierarchies). A manager is responsible for the project’s success, that means the success for the clients as well as socio-economic benefits to society. This is where ethical hierarchies become important as often it is seen that managers work in silos, or at best looking at organizational interest not that of clients and society as a whole. A client-centric manager looking at its interest and not contractor side, would jeopardize quality and commitment expected from contractor, eventually risking client’s business.
Business persons, leaders, celebrities, and managers should look at their duties in the framework of five factor theory of actions. Often personal interests become superior to a stakeholder’s interest. This is where, one should be willing to enact Purusharth rather than act for selfish interests. About 30-40 years ago, corporate sector would deny donations, saying proudly ‘we have not opened charity’, but today, most good corporates keep 1-2% budget towards social corporate responsibilities, ofcourse, partly it is spent in their interest too, as it is sustainable development for both parties. The projects leaders must involve people and treat their project as Yagya, selflessly. They must reward their team members proportionately as prasadam. Three types of Yagyas or Projects are:
Yagya performed without aiming for personal gain (with utilitarian objectives), following appropriate procedures as per the need of the hour (contextual validity), executed with firmed up minds (well planned), such Yagya is Satwik (i.e. virtuous).
Selflessness is the key to satwik yagya. It means that focus should be on collective objectives. Scriptural procedures do not mean that every action is necessarily described with details, but they guide through concepts and set boundaries of Dharma. Selfishness of individuals transpires into selfishness of all, and such countries suffer from mass corruption, inefficiencies and lack of productivity. Mantras are recited as a prelude to Yagyas. If recited in understandable language, Mantras impart psychological motivation. Dedication and firmness is needed by all. Such Yagya is satwik.
Executed to gain fruits (selfish desires), performed in conceit and arrogance, thus, worshipped and executed Yagya’s, are known as Rajasik, O’ best among the Bharatas!
Commentary: Performing prayers in temples or at home for ostentation is an example of Rajasik Yagyas. At the time of elections declaring projects to gain political mileage is also rajasik yagya.
Without following scriptural procedures (in Sankhya sense), without distributing prasadam (without sharing benefits to contributors in yagya), without hymns (to invoke Gods of needed qualities) and without offering due emoluments to purohit’s (without remunerations to organizers), without faith, such yagya is seen as Tamasik.
‘Vidhiheenam’ connotes to action executed without planning and procedures, often to satisfy ego or desires. Vidhi does not mean symbolic procedure in scriptures but it connotes to right means and modes of actions to ensure success. Invoking Gods of qualities is a reminder to address areas of concern. For example, Lord Ganesh is invoked for the qualities of planning, wisdom and information sensitization of works. Invoking Gods like Saraswati, Laxmi, and Lord Rama, Shiva etc is about acquiring their qualities needed for the project. ‘Yagya’, must be performed in orderly manner. Conceptual and not symbolic understanding of scriptures is important.
Asrista Annam is without distribution of Prasadam. Normally in food is distributed after the prayers, which actually connotes to distribution of benefits of Yagya performed. All workers should get due share of benefits. Lord Ganesh, also symbolizes that projects ride on small contributors symbolized as rats who need to eb duly rewarded , symbolized by modak. The depth of Sanatan Dharma needs to be understood.