Lord Krishna on Decision making

Doubt and dilemma is a common challenge which we face every day. May be there is no time when we are not asking ourselves continuously about which option to take, what to do and which way I should decide. We are surrounded by by continuous dilemma like …. What will happen to my appraisal , if I speak truth in office… what consequence will be there if I take a side etc. etc.

Thousands years ago, in Mahabharata, Arjuna was in a similar dilemma. But his issues were much serious and decision for life. Kurukshetra war was about to set and he was against his friends, cousins, relatives and seniors, whom he always loved and respected. He was confused about what to do, was asking in his mind what will be the use of this victory at a cost this violence, killing of dear ones and bloodshed.

And that’s the time when he placed his dilemma to his friend, philosopher and guide, Lord Krishna eventually he was his chariot driver too. 

The 700 plus verses that Krishna taught Arjuna on the battlefield were later compiled into the Bhagavad Gita, a text that continues to be looked upon as the "manual of life". After so many years also Bhagavad Gita is considered as a decision making tool in management. The meaning of Bhaga is cutting through and who can cut the truth is called Bhagavan (god). Word of Bhagavan is Bhagavad. Gita commonly known as Song ( sangeeta) with a deeper meaning of Tagi ( who can leave the world hence free from result)

Trying to concentrate on some basic principle from Krishna told in Bhagavad Gita:

• Be in calm mind:Lord Krishna “ Undoubtedly, O Arjuna, the mind is restless and difficult to restrain, but it is subdued by any constant vigorous spiritual practice -- such as meditation -- with perseverance, and by detachment, O Arjuna. (6.35)  The primary step of dealing a situation is free and calm mind with no noise. This takes a lot of effort. What Krishna advises that first one should free himself from the problem mentally and physically or see the problem as a third party, who is unbiased. For example , sometimes when we are searching for some lost articles , we run the replay of the sequences in our mind and try to visualize us as third parties, it’s kind of that.

• Give up on results: These are the most used words of the Bhagavad Gita and often referred to as nishkam karma, doing action without expecting reward: You have control over doing your respective duty only, but no control or claim over the results. The fruits of work should not be your motive, and you should never be inactive. (2.47)  Most of our decision making time revolves around the future consequence of the decision like what will happen if I fail, what will people think of me etc. Think about when you were child , we used to put your entire concentration on inputs like drawing a painting or making a clay toy and never thought about whether it was maintain the correct colour code or in right shape or not. You were happy with your Karma only and the day we started thinking of the result, the appreciation and consequence to be précised, we are in the trap of decision making dilemma.

• See and treat equally:A person is considered superior who is impartial towards companions, friends, enemies, neutrals, arbiters, haters, relatives, saints, and sinners. (6.09)  People are important in our lives and it's difficult not to get influenced by them or by our equations with them. But that's exactly what Lord Krishna says. Treat everyone with the same lens of impartiality. A person should not get his ancestral business only because he is son of the owner, he needs to be competent and able to take that also. Likewise just because someone has picked a fight with you or we are disconnected with him, don't write them off for good... the event isn't the person. It’s your territory not the map.

• Don't give in to stress:In the world full of intolerance, anxiety, presumptions and agitation , these words by Lord Krishna brings the most relevance : The one by whom others are not agitated and who is not agitated by others, who is free from joy, envy, fear, and anxiety, is also dear to Me. (12.15)  In life get rid of excessive worry, don't take on more than you can cope with and add enough me-time in your day to help you de-stress. Many busy CEOs and great decision makers allow sufficient time to themselves to be in his own. It may be just walking or sitting idle. Main thing is in that time you are not fighting for any objective.

• Be open to change:Arjuna, when inertia is predominant; ignorance, inactivity, carelessness, and delusion arise. (14.13)  Adding change and excitement to your activities helps give them a boost. Every once in a while, when you feel yourself slipping into lethargy or a state of inertia, stir yourself up, change direction, give yourself a new challenge. Many trainers run the similar program many a times and it is the almost same flow they follow so the change the introduction part or ice breaking part in between primarily to make them happy. Similarly if you get stuck in one way of thinking, you're unlikely to come up with good solutions; be open to new views of learning and doing things.  Conviction is the key: Whatever is done without faith - whether it is sacrifice, charity, austerity, or any other act -- is useless. It has no value here or hereafter, O Arjuna. (17.28)  Unless one has conviction on what they are doing what action he takes will have low or no results.

In the Manhattan project of making nuclear bomb the pace and progress of work was very slow among worker , Dr. Oppenheimer decided to share that they were making atom bomb with workers and that increased the pace of work by 300%.

You undertake any action, think about how strongly you believe in it. If you don't need to justify it in anyway or draw on any extra reserves for it, then it's an act of conviction and the right decision for you. 

• Make your standards high:Because whatever noble persons do, others follow. Whatever standard they set up, the world follows. (3.21) .  Once you are convinced about the action to be done and starting the action, first set your benchmark high and challenge yourself for excellence because the decision makers are always followed by average people so setting example is very necessary.

• After saying everything Lord Krishna uttered the most important lines:

• Thus the knowledge that is more secret than the secret has been explained to you by Me. After fully reflecting on this, do as you wish. (18.63)...  (…. Yatha ichchha tatha kuru)

Can there be more relevant, open and participative quote is possible when the teacher is teaching you the way of life , ways to take decision and live in this world and then He says “ This is my opinion and you reflect this and if you find any better way , you are free to do..”

If this provides source of learning and adding value the credit is actually of the reader and Lord Krishna.

“Cancalam Hi Manah Krsna Pramathi Balavaddrdham
Tasyaham Nigraham Manye Vayoriva Suduskaram"

-- the Individual self is the traveler in the chariot of the material body and the intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument and the senses are the horses. Thus, the self is the enjoyer or sufferer in the relationship of the mind and senses.

Took help from:

My Gita- Devdutt Pattanaik

Ritika Bajaj articles,

Bhagavad Stotram

Mahabharat Yuddha ebong Sri Krishna - N.P Bhaduri