JAI DHARI MAA!
Our scriptures are a reservoir of knowledge and treasures that offer wisdom.
Vidur Neeti, mentioned in the third chapter of Udyog Parva of Mahabharata is a reservoir and treasure of such wisdom and knowledge.
Vidur was known for his wisdom righteousness and intellect. Born to Rishi Vyasa and royal maid Sudri, Vidur was born out of yogic power, Niyog, and was half-brother to Dhritrashtra and Pandu .Before the Kurukshetra war, Vidur discussed and told the royal family and made them aware of the repercussions of the war and the destruction that could be caused.
This discussion was later known as the Vidur Niti, where Vidur explained certain aspects of Life to Dhritarashtra.
He is known to be a very learned man who upholds Dharma in all circumstances and is known for his righteousness and Vidur Niti, where he shares and explains certain fundamentals of administration, governance and leadership. The word ‘Vidur’ in Sanskrit means the one who is skilled, intelligent, and wise.
Vidur Niti can be used even in our daily lives. I am sharing a few thoughts which can be applied for governance and personal conduct.
He says, under no circumstances a wise person deviates and moves away from the higher self because his karma is based on qualities that uphold dharma. An aware and awake person is non partial, non judgmental in thought word action. He remains unaffected and equanimous through all emotions. Over excitement and enthusiasm in joy and extreme level of depression and unhappiness also affects the mind thoughts and decision making power of a person. He explains that cunningness and crookedness in administration and conduct causes destruction. The focus should remain on the goal and the vision, A leader should always act with responsibility.
He lays emphasis on virtues of purity, commitment, contentment, truthfulness, self-restraint, patience, honesty, charity, steadiness, humility, faith, tolerance sweetness in speech and good company. He also keeps away from envy and practices forgiveness with wisdom.
Vidur Neeti talks about team effort and being aware of the nature of friends and enemies.
It talks about control of mind and time management.
A leader must watch the company he/ she keeps as it could lead to wrong advice and destruction of fate of many. He/She ought to be large hearted and wish well being and prosperity of everyone. Special care must be given to those in trauma and distress. Empathy and kindness are very valuable traits of a leader. Renouncement of lust anger and greed is a must on the path of governance. A leader protects those who seek support and looks after the welfare of one and all . A leader who seeks abundance should be ethical in day to day matters Abundance and prosperity requires auspicious thoughts and acts.
He goes on to explain how agriculture and economic growth go hand in hand and must be one of the greatest priorities of the government. The abuse of resources, speech and power is prohibited.
After reading Vidur Niti, I do believe that a leader needs to –
• Know his /her personal mission statement as well as professional mission statement, there should be no mismatch.
• a leader should Always put the interest of the member /beneficiary/ organization FIRST.
• Have a vision relevant to reality of the present times and keeping the future in mind, based on learnings of the past
• a leader Knows and practices the fact that every act can be an act of worship
• Knows the power his or her yes or no hold and uses both the words with great caution
• Does not let a sense of doership enter his or her being in any manner
• Practices true compassion with true wisdom. (. Misplaced compassion creates as much havoc as lack of compassion).
• Keeps his or her eyes and ears open, There is a life that exists behind the scene and the leader is well aware of that.
• A leader does not live in denial but ignores the noise
• a leader Truly cares for one and all but is not a people pleaser and does not seek outside validation to give his or her best
• Distances himself or herself when a team member is not ready for change
• a leader Is ready to take tough decisions and the ownership for them with a complete sense of belief in the power of righteous karma
• Does not take things personally and does not get offended easily …Ego has no place in leadership
• a leader Has a vision and gives a sense of ownership of that vision to the team but with sensitivity and understanding the capacity of each member involved
• Creates a healthy environment for all its members
• Leads by example
• Gives equal importance to each task. No task is big or small for the leader, it all adds up.
• Gives a lot of importance to administration as it all begins there
• a leader Is very clear about the deliverables and how they will be achieved in the best possible manner with the resources available keeping all the stakeholders in mind
• Creates policies which are far sighted
• Is not fickle minded
• Creates a work set up which is clean and warm and functional with all the basic amenities available in the best way possible
• Truly believes in the Power of Truth and Simplicity
• Puts his or her effort to bring the best out of each member
• Believes in planning deadlines and ease of work knowing it’s a fine balance
• A leader is proactive
• Is always a part of the solution not the problem
• Knows when to be a part of the team as one of them and when to step back and step up .There is a time and place for everything
• Understands that Power of any kind is a Responsibility not a Privilege
• Converts every crisis into an opportunity
• Self-educates and self learns all the time in all aspects of life and living
• Communicates and interacts
• Is content and driven at the same time
• A leader allocates tasks as per the capabilities of the team
• A leader is articulate and can speak at all occasions….has an understanding for various matters subjects and scriptures
A leader Does not indulge in misplaced humour and loose talk
• Knows his or her accountability is to THE SELF first
• Understands the strength and areas that need work of each member . The intention of the leader is only growth of each member
• Creates an environment with clear dos and don’ts and does not negotiate with what’s not acceptable
For Vidur, a leader’s tolerance level of bearing pain is high, and they focus on Dharma. The vision of a leader remains unaffected from heat, cold, fear, affection, indulgence, grandeur, prosperity, and poverty. The tasks are always planned well but a leader does not dwell over the past, and is not fearful.
In conclusion, he compares our body to a chariot, and says it is the duty of the leader to have control over the horses (senses) or else the uncontrolled senses could lead to destruction.