Tuesday, January 07, 2025
Date:
7th Jan 2025
Time:
11.00 am to 1.00 pm
Venue:
DYPBS Campus
Resource Person:
His Grace: Mr. Gopathi Das
Participants
PGDM Students
Faculty Coordinator
Mrs. Geetika
Organizer
Spiritual club
Objectives:
To explore the leadership principles embedded in the Bhagavad Gita and their relevance to modern challenges.
To equip attendees with tools for ethical decision-making and self-mastery in leadership roles.
To inspire participants to balance strategic thinking with empathy and compassion.
To highlight the importance of vision, adaptability, and purpose in leading teams and organizations.
On January 7, 2025, DYPBS had the honour of hosting an insightful session on leadership lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, delivered by the esteemed speaker, Mr. Gopathi Das. The event aimed to bridge the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita with contemporary leadership practices, offering valuable takeaways for students and professionals alike.
Key Highlights of the Session
1. Leadership as Self-Mastery
Mr. Das emphasized that effective leadership begins with self-mastery, as highlighted in the Bhagavad Gita. Drawing from Chapter 6, he discussed the importance of controlling one’s mind and emotions to make balanced and ethical decisions.
Key Quote: "A person is said to be elevated when he is able to control his mind and detach from material desires."
Application: Leaders must cultivate inner stability to navigate challenges and inspire their teams.
2. Decision-Making in Adversity
The speaker illustrated how Arjuna’s dilemma in the battlefield reflects the struggles of modern leaders when faced with tough decisions. Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna—to focus on dharma (duty) without attachment to results—was positioned as a guiding principle for ethical and result-oriented leadership.
Key Lesson: Focus on actions and responsibilities, not on the fear of outcomes.
Modern Insight: Leaders must prioritize long-term goals and principles over immediate gains.
3. The Balance Between Strategy and Compassion
Mr. Das highlighted the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching of balancing strategic thinking (yoga) with compassion (bhakti). A leader’s success lies in their ability to combine practical decision-making with empathy for their teams and stakeholders.
Illustration: Krishna’s role as Arjuna’s charioteer is a metaphor for leaders who guide others while remaining humble and approachable.
4. Adaptability and Detachment
One of the profound messages of the session was the idea of being adaptable yet detached. Drawing from Chapter 2, Mr. Das explained that a leader must be flexible to change while remaining steadfast in their core values.
Practical Application: Leaders should embrace change as a constant and adapt without losing sight of their ultimate purpose.
5. Inspiring Action Through Vision
The Bhagavad Gita’s emphasis on inspiring others through vision and action resonated deeply. Mr. Das spoke about Krishna’s role in motivating Arjuna by reminding him of his greater purpose and responsibilities.
Takeaway: A leader must align their team’s efforts with a larger vision to inspire collective action and commitment.
Interactive Q&A Session
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A where students posed questions on applying these lessons in the modern business environment. Mr. Das provided actionable insights, particularly on maintaining ethical standards in competitive industries and overcoming personal limitations as a leader.
Conclusion
Mr. Gopathi Das’s session on leadership lessons from the Bhagavad Gita provided timeless wisdom for the students of DYPBS. By linking ancient philosophy with contemporary leadership challenges, the session inspired attendees to develop qualities such as self-discipline, ethical decision-making, and adaptability. The event was a resounding success, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of purpose and practical strategies to implement in their personal and professional lives.