Mahesh Prabhu's Blog, page 51
April 4, 2019
Moles and Mentors: Utility of the saffron-clad in ancient Vedic India
The Arthashastra was written by a person often clad in a saffron robe – Chanakya a.k.a. Kautilya. He didn’t take a direct role in administration and appointed people to get the things done. It is likely that he was the first ‘kingmaker’ known in human history. Over two thousand years ago, he exemplified the life of a Vedic seeker. He lived in the world, worked to make it better, yet never took anything for himself. Like a lotus flower in a dirty pond, he lived untouched by the temptations of...
April 2, 2019
Jealousy – the greatest slayer of wisdom and wealth
The following column by U. Mahesh Prabhu was first published by Business Goa.
Vedic seers suggested six negative qualities, Arishadvargas, in people that could be the root of their own destruction, namely: Kama (Lust), Krodha(Anger), Lobha (Greed), Moha (Infatuation), Mada (Ego) and Matsarya (Jealousy). All the tales of Vedic origins tell how even one of these qualities could lead to disastrous consequences.
In Mahabharata, after the Kingdom of Kuru was divided between five sons of Pandu and...
March 28, 2019
Lakshmi: The Vedic science of Wealth
Modern English dictionary defines wealth as “an abundance of valuable possessions or money” or “a plentiful supply of a particularly desirable thing.” Father of Capitalism – Adam Smith – in his book “The Wealth of Nations,” described wealth as “the annual produce of the land and labor of the society.” This “produce” is “that which satisfies human needs and wants of utility.” In popular usage, wealth is understood as an abundance of items of transactional value. Unfortunately, in today’s world...
March 27, 2019
Kootaneeti: The Forgotten Art and Science of Covert Politics
Shakti or Power is the essence of Rajyam or Leadership. There are those who consider themselves to be either “unlucky” or “undeserving” of power as they cannot comprehend the dynamics of attaining or retaining it. Those who consider themselves to be “deserving” of power are often the same who are unable to handle it. As a result, such people turn up as leaders who are used, misused and/or abused by those around them. They are branded as Ashaktas or incompetent by Kautilya a.k.a. Chanakya. Tho...
March 24, 2019
Ahimsa: A Vedic Perspective
Exclusive to Vedic Management Centre by U. Mahesh Prabhu
“May all be happy, may all enjoy health, may all enjoy security; let there be no pain, let there be peace, peace, and peace…” say the Vedas. When the Vedas refer to “all”, it means every being, not just humans. The objective of Vedic knowledge and wisdom was to prescribe a path of health, wealth and prosperity. All the research of Vedic scientists, or rishis, was focused on achieving this goal.
During their observation and research,...
March 18, 2019
10 Qualities and Characteristics of The Wise
So, how do we know if someone is wise or otherwise? It’s a simple question with a complex answer. Wisdom is not ingrained – people are seldom born wise. For wisdom to dwell in an individual, (s)he must nurture specific qualities besides accumulating knowledge and insights over the years. There are a few characteristics which could help us in determining if a person is truly wise:
RECLUSIVE: Wise people are often reclusive. Not because they hate people but because they know how to be at peace...Chanakya & Six Principles of Vedic Management
A great many books have been written about Chanakya, known also as Kautilya, Vishnu Gupta, and Vishnu Sharma. Having lived over 2,000 years ago his legend continues to fascinate numerous readers even to this day. Perhaps, unfortunately, he’s best known to have “avenged” the then ruler of Magadha – Dhanananda – by “helping” Chandragupta Maurya ascend to the throne. This presumed ability of his – vengeance – seems to be the most enthralling aspect to most people. His Arthashastra – a great many...
March 17, 2019
Vedic Philosophy of Happiness and Sorrow: Sukham & Duhkham
Exclusive to Vedic Management Centre by U. Mahesh Prabhu
It is the nature of human beings always to strive to avoid दु:खं Duhkham or pain and sorrow and to pursue सुखं Sukham or pleasure and happiness. All that humanity has sought from science to religion or philosophy, is for the sake of removing suffering and finding lasting happiness. Usually, human beings have confused pleasure with happiness. Pleasure, gained through external circumstances, is not real happiness, which is an enduring co...
March 16, 2019
Purusharthas: Giving life a meaning
Exclusive to Vedic Management Center by U. Mahesh Prabhu
आहार Ahaara (food), निदरा Nidra (sleep), भयं Bhaya (fear) and मैथुनं Maithuna (sex) are the four significant cravings of मन: Mana – mind – which transcends species, space and time. To sustain one’s body a living being needs food, to heal and rejuvenate one’s body and mind sleep is essential, in survival fear plays a dominant role and for procreation as well as recreation – sex appears to play a crucial part. It is in pursuit of achievi...
March 15, 2019
Fundamentals of Padarthas: Vedic approach to Critical Thinking
Column by U. Mahesh Prabhu
Life is a result of a series of decisions, some major and most minor. Time and the consequences of decisions are key factors when making any kind of choice. Ability to understand the consequences of our decision before taking them is, in essence, the intent of educational knowledge and experience – be it our own or another’s. Some decisions are taken depending on data or information available, while others are based on the perspectives of other people and on the ba...
