Prabhuji Gauranga Das: The 3 sutras (essential truth) of Vedic leadership
A very good afternoon and gratitude to the members on the dais and all the Rotarians present this afternoon. I’ll speak briefly on the three sutras of Vedic leadership.
Each one of us has influence, and anyone with influence is a leader. The first principle of Vedic leadership is vinay, which essentially means humility. The word humility comes from the Latin word humus, which means soil. And only when the soil is proper can the seed fructify. Therefore, in the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains the 20 points of knowledge, beginning with:
amānitvamadambhitvam ahiṃsā kṣāntirārjavam ācāryopāsanaṃ śaucaṃ sthairyamātmavinigrahaḥ.
The first two principles he mentions, amanitvam and adambhitvam, are humility and pridelessness. Thus, the entire foundation of Vedic leadership begins with humility and pridelessness. The three biggest challenges the world is facing today in leadership and society, which are contributing significantly to mental health issues, are comparing, complaining, and criticising.
When I was at IIT last year, many people asked me this question: Bhai, IIT ke baad kya ho gaya aapka? Somebody even asked, Kuch lafda hua kya aapka? Affair fail ho gaya kya? So, what happened was, during my final year, one of my friends tried to commit suicide. In those days, it was not so common. We approached him and asked why he attempted suicide. His answer was very poignant. He said, “In every exam, I get the gold medal, but in this exam, I got the silver medal. I could not handle it because I was so used to and addicted to being number one; I couldn’t handle the number two position. Therefore, I tried to commit suicide.”
In the same exam, I had four or five other friends who had failed in three or four subjects, yet they were moving around the campus peacefully, blissfully, as if nothing had happened, even blessing others. I asked them, Arey bhai, you guys are pretty shameless. You’ve failed in so many exams, but you’re still moving around peacefully. What is your philosophy in life? They replied, College mein ghusna apna kaam hai, nikalna college ka kaam hai. That was the moment it struck me that anxiety and stress are caused by the gap between expectation and reality.
The education system is preparing us only with skill, but what will you do when you lose the will? I approached a friend who had a heart attack and was in the ICU. I asked him, “Why do you think you got this heart attack?” He replied, “Stress, too much stress.” I asked what happened. He said, “There was a recent appraisal, and someone one level junior to me was promoted and made my boss.” I said, “Okay, but why was it so difficult?” He explained, “It was difficult because I was the one who recruited him, and now he has become my boss.”
I often tell people that business schools teach us how to achieve positions, but they don’t teach us how to react and respond when someone else gets that position or when we are unable to achieve it. Anger, envy, and greed are all realities that are not included in the B-school syllabus. Thus, Vedic leadership begins by teaching us that we must have the humility — vinay — to recognise that each of us, however limited or constrained we may be, can contribute according to our capacity. Comparison, after all, is the thief of joy.
In the age of social media, people are increasingly obsessed with what others are doing. One of my friends attended a business conference where he received someone’s business card. On the card, below the name, it listed educational qualifications: PhD, B.F. He said, “I understand PhD, but what is B.F.?” The man explained, “PhD — but fail. I never wanted to be a PhD. My father wanted me to be one because two of my cousins were PhDs, and he insisted, Beta, tum PhD nahi banoge toh kya hoga? So I joined the programme. But after two years, I realised I wasn’t cut out for it and dropped out. However, the pressure remained — to attend conferences, to network, and so on. So, I printed a card that was authentic: PhD, B.F. Most people think B.F. is a degree beyond PhD!”
We live in a world where, all too often, we lack the freedom and clarity to pursue what we truly want. Instead, we end up doing what others expect of us, spending our lives in a state of dissatisfaction.
Hotel President, a five-star hotel in Mumbai, had a thelawala set up a thela (a stall) right outside to sell samosas. He named his thela “Hotel Vice President.” His marketing pitch was, “If you can’t afford the President, come to the Vice President.”
One of the biggest challenges the world is facing today is that people are not focussed on what they can possibly do. Therefore, humility means accepting that, acknowledging it, and aspiring to serve and contribute despite our limitations.
People celebrate Janmashtami as the day when Krishna was born, but they fail to realise that before Krishna’s birth, Vasudev and Devaki lost six sons. Vasudev was extremely helpless but still continued on, enduring loss after loss. Losing even one child can be traumatic — what to speak of losing six!
On Janmashtami, while everyone is eager to get darshan of Krishna and to perform rituals like the jhula, how many people meditate on the trauma Vasudev and Devaki had to endure before they received Krishna? That is why, in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Vasudev is glorified:
Tataś cha śaurir bhagavat-pracoditah
Sutam samādhāya sutīkṣṇa-gṛhāt.
Vasudev is described as a brave leader, a śaurir. Why brave? He never fought a battle, never conquered anyone, and could not defeat anyone. So why is he called brave? Because, as per the Bhagavatam, bravery is not about how many battles you win. Bravery is about being helpless in life but refusing to be hopeless. That is bravery — refusing to be hopeless.
This is only possible when one has humility. In success, you realise, “I am not the doer,” and in failure, also, you realise, “I am not the doer.” Both pride in success and moroseness in failure are symptoms of false ego and illusion. Therefore, the first principle of leadership is vinay — humility.
The second principle of leadership, according to Vedic literature, is vivek, which means discrimination — the ability to choose between right and wrong. This is crucial because, as a leader, one must make choices and decisions in the midst of various complex scenarios and situations.
A leader is where they are because they possess the ability to navigate uncertainty and complexity. Consider the example of Yudhishthir. He faced a dharma sankat when Draupadi was being insulted. Yudhishthir Maharaj, a personification of dharma who spent his entire life not speaking a single lie, was responsible for those decisions. The Shastras reveal that impeccable character does not automatically translate into flawless decision-making. Even a person of Yudhishthir’s calibre made the mistake of not involving all stakeholders in consultation, acting unilaterally, and thereby losing his discrimination — his vivek.
When the 2007–08 global economic meltdown occurred, a prominent economist observed that while global economies were declining, India’s economy was thriving. He wrote a paper attributing this resilience to jugaad — the ability to make the right choices even in challenging circumstances.
I remember travelling to IIT Kharagpur for an event many years ago. Two friends from the US accompanied me. We landed at Kolkata airport, only to discover it was Bengal bandh that day. I told the organisers, “Today is bandh, so the programme must be cancelled. Kharagpur is a three-hour drive, and vehicles won’t be able to move.” Surprisingly, the organisers said, “The programme is on.” I was puzzled. “How?” I asked.
They replied, “We’ve come to pick you up in an ambulance.” An ambulance was going to Kharagpur, so three of us joined. My American friends were bewildered. They asked, “Why are we entering an ambulance?” I replied, “Good question, but the answer requires explaining what bandh is, and we don’t have time. Sit in the back; I’ll sit in front.”
On the way, someone stopped us to check who was inside. He looked in and saw my two American friends, adorned with garlands and peacefully resting after breakfast. He remarked, Inki aatma ko shanti mile, and we reached Kharagpur within three hours.
Leadership is about making the right choices and maintaining the right discrimination even in difficult circumstances. A great example of this is Lord Rama’s brother, Lakshmana.
Many people know Ram Leela and are familiar with Lord Rama. They were very active during the Rama temple opening last January. However, few people understand the meaning of the name Lakshmana:
Sarva-priya-karas tasya rāma-sya pi śarīraḥ
Lakṣmaṇo lakṣmi sampanna bahir prāṇa eva apra.
Lakshmana means one who is Lakshmi sampanna — endowed with prosperity. What prosperity did he have? He spent years in the forest without any wealth. How, then, is he called Lakshmi sampanna?
The true prosperity Lakshmana possessed was the wealth of his service to Lord Rama. The opportunity to serve, make a difference, and bring joy to Lord Rama and Sita was available to Lakshmana at every moment. That service and opportunity made him truly prosperous. Hence, he is called Lakshmana.
The word Lakshmana comes from Lakshmi sampana, which essentially means that one of the biggest differences between those who are truly successful and those who are average is their ability to recognise opportunities to serve, even when these opportunities may not come with perfect labels. Those who can use their discrimination to identify such moments and act upon them often ascend to another level of success. Lakshmana was with Lord Rama through thick and thin, always prioritising Rama’s pleasure over his own. One of the biggest lessons for a leader is how to use their discrimination selflessly to transform others’ lives.
This Vivek is crucial, especially when deciding when to speak and when to remain silent. Decades of relationships can be destroyed by using the wrong words. As Krishna says to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita:
anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ cha yat svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ chaiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uchyate.
There are five characteristics of austere speech:
- Anudvega karam vākyaṁ – speaking in a way that does not agitate others.
- Satyam – it must be truthful.
- Priya – it should be pleasing.
- Hittam – it must be beneficial.
- It must be based on wisdom.
These principles of good speech are vital in any relationship, whether organisational or familial. As leaders navigating complex situations, how we communicate determines the strength of our teams, organisations, and families.
I recall conducting a programme in Ohio, Athens, in America years ago. A young American boy approached me, speaking fluent Hindi. Surprised, I asked him about his background. He explained that he was from California, the son of a multimillionaire. At 17, he asked his father, “Dad, you’ve given me everything, but you’ve never given me the experience of a family. When I was two, you and Mum separated, and I grew up alone.” Despite having all material comforts, he felt an emptiness due to the lack of familial bonds.
This boy decided to visit India, where he applied to stay as a paying guest with a family in Varanasi. He expressed his desire to experience something money couldn’t buy — authentic family life, love, and affection. He offered to pay ₹1 lakh a month to be part of this family for two years. The family welcomed him warmly and said, “Why two years? Stay your whole life!” This story underscores the need to cherish and preserve the familial ecosystem, which forms the bedrock of our social structure. If we focus solely on economic growth and neglect family values, the word “family” may become confined to dictionaries. Today, in countries like America, 44% of children are born outside of marriage. If we do not consciously protect our family systems, the same trends could emerge in India.
The third principle of leadership is Vairagya, or renunciation. This entails accepting that, despite our best plans, random factors may thwart our efforts. Life inevitably brings both prosperity and adversity. Vedic leadership teaches us to expect challenges and face them with gratitude and determination. Adversity should not lead to discouragement, discouragement should not lead to depression, and depression should not lead to defeat. Instead, we must embrace setbacks with steadfast dedication.
A saint once went to a village to beg for alms. A woman, angered by his presence, threw ash from her sigiri at him. The saint graciously collected the ash in his chadar and said, “Thank you, Mataji. I will come again tomorrow.” Annoyed, the woman exclaimed, “I gave you useless ash so you wouldn’t return! Why would you come back?” The saint replied, “Today, you began the process of giving. Today it’s ash; tomorrow, it could be cash. I am hopeful.”
Thus, Vedic leadership rests on the three pillars of Vinay (humility), Vivek (discrimination), and Vairagya (renunciation). Together, they lead to Vijay (victory). People often speak of Lord Rama and Ram Rajya, but Ram Rajya was only possible because Lord Rama exemplified Vinay, Vivek, and Vairagya. Let us not reduce Ram Rajya to a mere social term but use it as inspiration to delve deeper into ancient wisdom, extract its jewels, and apply them in our personal, professional, and social lives.
I feel deeply honoured to address the esteemed members of the oldest and most original Rotary Club of Bombay. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
ROTARIANS ASK
I see a dichotomy in what the scriptures say and what the reality is. It’s like academics and practice. Then, you factor in your own kind of way to deal with the situation. Your comments.
We need to begin somewhere. The one person we have influence over is ourselves. So let us begin with our own transformation and see where it takes us.
A very wealthy person once came to me and said, “Arre Gaurang Prabhu, I have so much wealth, so much wealth — it is like water in the ocean. But ocean water is salty; it doesn’t quench my thirst. Yet, I see that you have some peace and joy because you are practising spiritual life. You seem to have sweet well water in your heart. Can you give me a few drops of your well water?”
I replied, “I’ll give you a few drops of my well water. Can you give me a few drops of your ocean water?”
When he heard that, he disappeared for the next six months. This illustrates why charity begins at home.
One of the biggest challenges society faces today is that people are well-educated on how to control organisations, institutions, various systems, technologies, and financial markets. But what is often missing is the ability to control one’s own mind, senses, thoughts, desires, habits, and discrimination when making choices.
I stand here with simple sutras from our ancient wisdom, offering guidance on self-management. Let us create a revolution in self-management, something that was once an intrinsic part of every family’s culture.
As I often say:
“Paise de kar car kharid sakte ho, sanskar nahi kharid sakte.”
What we truly need is sanskar — self-transformation.
Do you have regular discourses at ISKCON?
Secondly, does vairagya also include detachment? Now the reason I’m asking you is that I have a friend who suddenly lost his middle-aged young son and he doesn’t know how to cope with it at all. The whole family doesn’t. They are in shock and they just can’t process it. So what can you tell us.
As far as my lectures are concerned, currently, because of the scope of my responsibilities, I’m on the global board of ISKCON on the GBC and also managing the Govardhan Eco-Village in Palghar, where Nopurji and her family are actively involved and running a wonderful skill centre nearby. This keeps me quite occupied. Consequently, the frequency of my lectures here in Chowpatty, where I am also part of the leadership of this temple, has reduced. There was a time, for almost five years, when I gave evening discourses every Wednesday. Nowadays, the most consistent way to access my talks is through my social media channels — Instagram, YouTube, and others. Live lectures are less frequent and tend to be unpredictable and scattered.
The second question, which is very crucial, pertains to bereavement. It is a challenging subject to comprehend. Speaking about it is easy, but applying wisdom when one is experiencing it is extremely difficult. Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, yet when Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu was killed, Arjuna was consumed by grief. Krishna consoled Arjuna and gave him the courage to continue his duties.
When you are in a helpless state, it is easy to lose hope. Even if you possess all the assets in the world, losing hope renders them meaningless. However, if you retain hope, even in the absence of material assets, there is a way forward. Modern material education often suggests that when you are in a helpless state, you should strive to change your circumstances. In contrast, the Bhagavad Gita and ancient wisdom teach that in challenging situations, it is like standing in front of a 40-storey building. To a person standing at ground level, the building seems immense and insurmountable. Some problems in life feel similarly overwhelming, leaving one wondering whether they will ever end.
But imagine boarding a flight that ascends to 30,000 feet. From that height, the 40-storey building looks like a matchbox. The building’s size has not changed, nor has your size. What has changed is your perspective. Similarly, when faced with challenges, modern culture often advocates “popping a pill,” while the Bhagavad Gita advises changing your perspective. It is a battle between pill and perspective. The more secular education distances people from ancient wisdom, the more they turn to the pill culture.
We are doing our best to encourage people to reconnect with their true wealth — the wisdom of the ages — which provides resilience and mental clarity. Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, once visited London. A reporter asked him, “Swamiji, why are you here in London?” Prabhupada replied, “For the last 300 years, the British looted India’s gold, silver, emeralds, and rubies, but they forgot to loot the most precious jewel — the Bhagavad Gita. I have come to do home delivery.”
In the 56 years since, ISKCON has distributed over 55 crore copies of the Bhagavad Gita in 80 languages worldwide. As parents and grandparents, it is imperative that we take this seriously. We have a rich culture, tradition, and wisdom capable of addressing mental health challenges and creating harmony. However, to the extent that we disconnect from it, we are forced to seek external, short-term solutions.
I deeply admire Prime Minister Modi for his efforts in this regard. Wherever he travels, he ensures that the Bhagavad Gita is gifted to heads of state, Prime Ministers, Presidents, or other dignitaries. Before the opening of the Ram Janma temple on January 22nd last year, he undertook a spiritual pilgrimage, visiting holy places, performing rituals, fasting for two weeks, and embracing India’s traditions openly and proudly. For the first time, we have seen a Prime Minister observing these rituals unabashedly, demonstrating that when one understands the spirit behind the ritual, one truly realises what it means to be spiritual.