The recent surgical strike by the Indian Commandos in PoK to destroy the terrorist camps in a classic example of strategic warfare. A much-awaited and much-needed action, the strike proves what strategy is all about. The enemy as well as the friends came to know about it only after the act was consummated. That incidentally is the essence of an effective strategy.
Strategy today is a much talked about subject in management literature. Strategic management is a popular subject and strategy as a term has various connotations. literature on strategy is also copious and business schools refer to popular as well as management literature to teach strategic management to budding managers in classroom lectures on strategy.
Drawing insights from all over the world, management literature has developed study material on strategy. There are American, Russian, and Chinese stories to quote in teaching strategy in classrooms. Most of these stories are war stories and the origin of strategy is often traced back to wars. A very popular book on strategy is the one by Chinese writer and wise man Sun Tzu and the name of the book is The Art of War.
But what is found wanting in all those literature on strategy is the reference to ancient Indian literature, particularly the scriptural texts Ramayana and Mahabharata. Yes, they are mentioned but not as frequently and elaborately as the foreign ones. Of course, the writings of Kautilya and his insights in the book Arthashastra do figure, but detailed references from Ramayana and Mahabharata are rather scanty.
The fact though is that strategic management can be very effectively taught by references from these two texts. Krishna’s sagacious advice to the Pandavas during and before the course ofMahabharata war offers rich lessons on strategy. In fact, whatever he dwelt upon during his interactions with the Pandavas as well as the Kauravas are all effective lessons on strategic management. Similarly, Vidur, the wise man of Mahabharata, also appears to be a master strategist whose advise always comes handy to the Pandavas, and ignoring those proves disastrous for the Kauravas.
Interestingly it isRamayana that has to offer much more insightful lessons on strategic management. The dialogue between Rama and Bharata in Ayodhyakanda when the lord advises his younger brother on how to administrate effectively is a rich repository on strategy. How to strengthen and rear the army, how to formulate strategies for protecting the best interests of the kingdom, and how and why to maintain state secretes are all discussed elaborately.
Similarly, in the Sunderkanda, when the lord and his army of monkeys need to cross the ocean, the discussion between Rama and his brother come out to be classic lessons on strategic management. How to make an enemy succumb are succinctly brought out. Hanuman’s visit to Ravana’s kingdom lanka is full of strategic lessons. And even in the Uttarkanda, when Rama sends his younger brother Shatrughana to fight the mighty demon king lavanasura, the counsel given by the lord to his brother is worth understanding.
While describing and discussing all this in this column may not be possible, the essentialities can be pointed out. The three essential elements are knowledge about the enemy and his strengths and weaknesses, the right assumptions about the environment, and the genuineness and quality of decisions. Of course it is the nobility of intentions that caps it all.
The writer is a professor of management and public speaker. He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com