In
the last post we discussed the key characteristics of a leader practicing Lokasangraha.
- One who practices what he/she says,
- consistent in thoughts, speech and actions,
- who has an eye to the details as well as the capacity to see the big picture
- one who can organize every individual's skill without keeping aside any capable human resource
- people around him/her feel respected and belonged
Moving
on, let us further analyze Krishna's behavior. During the Kurukshetra war,
after the sunset, the war would end for the day and everybody would go back to
their camps or barracks for resting. However, Krishna used to take the horses
to Vishampayana Lake and wash their blood stains, give them a massage, apply
medicine to their wounds and he used to talk to them while doing all this. This
was his nature; he would do this to cows in child hood and now to the horses amidst
Kurukshetra war.
A
question arises here, he being an avatara purusha, knowledgeable and above all,
but indulges himself in all these trivial things like breaking pots, stealing
butter, playing mischief with Gopikas, playing flute to please cows and
friends, caring for cattle and horses. Why does he do this?
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा
कुर्वन्ति भारत।
कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्॥गीत
३-२५॥
He
says, Yes I do all these trivial things, that does not mean I like breaking
pots or stealing butter. I do it to entertain my fellow companions; I don't
mind doing all these to become one with them. Among Panditas, I will be like a
Pandita and will discuss Vedanta with them, among Gopikas I am playful like
them, among friendly Gopalakas I am sharing, caring and naive like them. The
sole purpose behind all these actions is Lokasangraha.
न बुद्दिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां
कर्मसङ्गिनाम्।
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि
विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन्॥गीत ३-२६॥
Since
they all are karma sangis (Samanya Jana), they like doing those activities.
Many actions that they do, have come as inheritance from their family
traditions and many other actions are their own duties. There is professional
skill and professional pride associated with their actions.
A
leader's duty is to respect their pride, nurture those skills, make them feel
belonged, inspire and motivate them by being one with them. Nowadays,
motivation has become a big mantra in modern psychology. Motivation of a person
or a group greatly depends on the characteristics of the leader. When the
leader practices Lokasangraha, such a group will be highly motivated, ready to
take on any challenge and for sure they will be successful.
Attachment binds and love liberates one…
ReplyDeleteBeautiful message given out in these two verses. So long as the wheel is revolving the vehicle will reach its destination or any other goal, the distances will be covered. Leading by example and to act with love and not attachment is beautifully propounded by Lord Krishna. Abstract words of ideologies might lead one to renounce activities itself and arresting the flow is not the solution but rather slowly and gradually guiding one to the right path like how one would advise and guide a person who has lost his path to a place say Delhi, if one asks him to stop, then he would never reach his destination, Delhi. Action alone can bring one back to the right path. For Lokasangraha or maintaining the law and order, one has to lead by example and even with higher values in the mind, one might have to do some trivial acts to draw the attention of the ignorant, else one would get pulverized by the ever moving flood of life and its endless activities. Lord Krishna demonstrated it so beautifully. So, it is told “One should be like Rama in mind but act like Krishna in the world".
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