Bhgawat Gita Shlok :- 33-34.1
येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगा: सुखानि च ।
त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ।।33।।
आचार्या: पितर: पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहा: ।
मातुला: श्वशुरा: पौत्रा श्याला: सम्बंधिनस्तथा ।।34।।
yeshaamarthe kankshitam no rajyam bhoga: sukhani ch .
ta ime̕vasthita yuddhe pranamstyaktva dhanani ch ..33..
aacharya: pitar: putrastathaiv ch pitamaha: .
matula: shvashura: pautra shyala: sambandhinastatha ..34..
हमें जिनके लिये राज्य, भोग और सुखादि अभीष्ट हैं, वे ही ये सब धन और जीवन की आशा को त्याग कर युद्ध में खड़े हैं । गुरुजन, ताऊ-चाचे, लड़के और उसी प्रकार दादे, मामे, ससुर, पौत्र, साले तथा और भी सम्बन्धी लोग हैं ।।33-34।।
Those very persons for whose sake we covet the throne, luxuries and pleasures,-teachers, uncles, sons and nephews and even so grand-uncles and great grand-uncles, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grand-nephews, brothers-in-law and other relations, are here arrayed on the battle-field risking their lives and wealth(33-34)
Learning Points
1. The Weight of Personal Relationships in Professional Decisions (and the Need for Objectivity):
•Learning Point: Arjuna's dilemma highlights how deeply personal relationships can intertwine with professional responsibilities. He is faced with fighting those he loves and respects.
•Professional Application: In the workplace, we often encounter situations where personal friendships, family ties, or long-standing professional relationships can influence our judgment or make tough decisions difficult. This could be in performance reviews, team restructuring, vendor selection, or even disciplinary actions.
•Key Takeaway: While empathy and understanding are crucial, a professional must learn to separate personal feelings from objective professional judgment. Decisions should be based on merit, organizational goals, ethical considerations, and long-term impact, rather than personal comfort or discomfort.
2. Understanding Stakeholder Motivations (Even When Opposed):
•Learning Point: Arjuna recognizes that those on the opposing side are also fighting for what they believe in – "rajyam bhoga: sukhani ch" (kingdom, enjoyments, and happiness). They are willing to sacrifice significantly for these perceived gains.
•Professional Application: In any competitive or complex professional environment, it's vital to understand the motivations of all stakeholders – competitors, colleagues with differing views, clients, or even employees. They might be driven by different priorities, incentives, or personal aspirations.
•Key Takeaway: Instead of simply dismissing opposing viewpoints, a professional leader or team member gains an advantage by understanding the underlying motivations of those on the "other side." This understanding can inform strategy, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
3. The Reality of Conflict and Difficult Choices:
•Learning Point: The battlefield scenario symbolizes a situation of unavoidable conflict and profound difficult choices. Arjuna is forced to confront the idea of harming those he cherishes.
•Professional Application: Professional life is not always harmonious. We will inevitably face conflicts of interest, ethical dilemmas, resource allocation battles, and tough decisions that might displease some stakeholders.
•Key Takeaway: A professional must develop the resilience and fortitude to navigate conflict and make difficult choices that align with the organization's mission, values, and long-term well-being, even when those choices are personally uncomfortable or unpopular. Avoiding conflict often leads to greater problems down the line.
4. The Potential for Self-Interest (Conscious or Unconscious) to Drive Actions:
•Learning Point: The shlokas subtly point to the desires for "rajyam bhoga: sukhani ch" (kingdom, enjoyments, and happiness) as drivers for those on the opposing side. While these are broad terms, they can represent various forms of self-interest.
•Professional Application: In any professional setting, individuals and groups may be driven by self-interest – career advancement, financial gain, power, recognition, or even simply maintaining the status quo.
•Key Takeaway: It's important for professionals to be aware of the potential for self-interest to influence decisions, both their own and those of others. Ethical leaders strive to transcend narrow self-interest for the greater good of the organization and its stakeholders.
In essence, these shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita, though set in a spiritual context, offer timeless lessons for navigating the complexities of human relationships and motivations within a professional sphere, emphasizing the need for objectivity, understanding, and courage in the face of difficult choices.