DAY 4 - 16th April
Session 1
Sri Ram – An Inspiring Leader
by Swami Ramakrishnananda
Chinmaya Mission Nagapattinam
The focus of this talk was Ram as an ideal leader / king / administrator. Swamiji quoted from Manusmriti that the Lord created the king to protect Creation. Brahmaji had also vested the king with the qualities of the four Lokapalas, Indra (efficient administration), Varuna (prosperity), Yama (Dandaneeti) and Kubera (well stocked treasury). Ram Rajya is described thus in the first sarga of Valmiki Ramayana - When Ram rules, the world will rejoice and be happy, satisfied and abundant and very righteous.
Swamiji outlined fourteen pointers from Ayodhyakhand, in a conversation between Ram and Bharat. These pointers are part of the best practices adopted by contemporary leaders in the corporate world and by country heads as well. They are:
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Protect your people by holding in high esteem the devatas, ancestors, dependents, wise teachers and doctors.
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Secure the country well by focussing on self-reliance, in all aspects of defence.
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Ministers must be skilled, valiant, learned, of noble birth and masters of their senses.
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Have one person with you at all times, who is wise, valiant, sagacious and efficient.
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Ministers must be truthful and efficient.
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Right ambassadors are crucial, who are knowledgeable, wise, skilled, endowed with presence of mind and speak to the point (vaak patutvam). Two fine examples are Hanuman in Ramayana and Sri Krishna in the Mahabharata.
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Mantra aalochana or counselling - brainstorming by a trusted and confidential core group, well versed in all aspects.
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Projects must be executed on time, without procrastination.
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Time management – work-life balance in today’s jargon.
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Wealth management - essentially cutting your coat as per the cloth.
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Right person at the right place, based on skills, management and leadership qualities. Avoid nepotism.
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Timely wages and provisions to all essential staff, negating the need to be corrupt.
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Inspiring and powerful leadership, that invokes sacrifice and devotion from the core group.
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Protecting citizens who live by agriculture and cattle-rearing, as they are the providers of food.
Swamiji rightly pointed out that if today’s leaders or CEOs follow these principles of governance, even in Kaliyug, Ram Rajya is possible.
Report by
Alka Susheel
Chinmaya Sagar Zone
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DAY 4 - 16th April
Session 2
Sri Ram Mandir & Cultural Resurgence
by Pt. Vamadeva Shastri
& Swami Mitrananda
Pt. Vamadeva Shastri, pioneer for introducing Ayurveda, Astrology and Vedanta to the West, was honoured with Padma Bhushan. He established the American Institute of Vedic Studies. His translations and interpretations of Vedantic texts have been acclaimed by scholars. Swami Mitrananda is the popular mentor at Chinmaya Mission Chennai, founder of Chinmaya Academy of Management and Chinmaya Academy for Civil Services. Besides initiating YEP - Youth Empowerment Programme, he is a creative writer, daring adventurer, vigilant administrator and conducts programs on Gita, Upanishads and Vedantic texts in India and around the world.
Mitranandaji said that it is the right of every religion to build a place of worship. But demolishing an existing place of worship and building another religious monument in its place is totally unacceptable. In the late 80s and early 90s, the Ram Mandir movement picked up momentum nationally. Sri Rama is not only a local god; He is revered all over India and abroad. The Supreme Court of India’s verdict and archaeological evidences paved the way for construction of the temple. Muslim representatives were told that the decision should be gracefully accepted. The new temple will have 108 pillars, with one name of Rama in every Indian language and other languages of Far Eastern countries. Ayodhya is going to be built as an international city.
Vamadevaji was happy to watch the wonderful series of events in Ayodhya and said that this matter was dear to him. He was associated with Prof. B. B. Lal who was in charge of excavation of the site. He said that India is still a mystery for many people, due to missionary propaganda. But being the oldest civilization and a democracy, India will rise again and the world will honour it. Sri Rama is revered not only in India but also in many countries, which were then part of Akhanda Bharat. The movement continued for almost 500 years and revived again in the early nineties. Now, it is a promise fulfilled.
Ayodhya is a sacred city for Hindus and Indians. The speakers welcomed new Ayodhya, new Ram Janmabhoomi - a beauty and a wonder, a centre for teaching and pilgrimage. It is a coming together of people with Dharmic traditions and is not against anybody. India is an old civilization, with diverse cultural heritage. It needs to be reclaimed for all humanity. Ayodhya and Sri Ram are the most ideal symbols.
Report by
Lakshmi Narayanan
Chinmaya Mahima Zone