C Devidasan
BHAGAVAD GITA
AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Our world is said to be a world of repetition . Whatever is said has already been said , whatever is done has already been done , whatever accomplished has already been accomplished as well .
The re-discovery of what is known as Emotional Intelligence in modernity as a prime application for arriving at better decisions in both personal and professional lives for better productivity , accomplishments and harmonious co-existence is one such application which was laboriously
subjected to intense churning of ' Samvada ' ( enquiry ), analytics and research in antiquity and its results can be seen shining like a thousand suns in the 14th chapter of a world acclaimed Management text called Bhagavad Gita , showcased in one of the most endearing tales of humanity , The epic of Mahabharata some 5000 years ago !
The author , Krishna Dvaipāyana , popularly known as Vyasa talks about 3 “ Gunas ” or qualities of mind as “ Rajas ” ( restless , confused , active , passion ) “ Tamas ” ( chaotic , illusionary , darkness ) and “ Sattva ” ( goodness , harmonious , intelligence ) in great detail and an emotionally charged Pandava warrior king Arjuna standing in a state of stunned inaction before his charioteer , Lord Krishna and the mighty battle formations of two formidable set of armies on the first day of Kurushektra battle is an exemplary example of the finest discourses so far heard on EI or Emotional Intelligence by humanity . This undoubtedly influenced Buddha who came in the last leg , some 500 years before Vedic period came to an end , in to this world in discovering what he called “ Smriti ” or Mindfulness that forms the centre pillar of Buddhism and that of EI in modern days !
A cursory peep into the three Gunas and its elaborate explanatory expansions by Vyasa in the 14th chapter would tell any modern day HR expert as to why it is important to know ' what ' a person is ' inside him ' through all those psychometric , Caliper and MBTI or similar tests and interview techniques such a “ Appreciative enquiry ,' or “ BEI ( Behavioral Event Interview ), etc ., to enable him to devise and chalk out strategies to refine ' human capital ' inside him so that he becomes worthy of taking better decisions . This together with the understanding of what is known as “ Anthakaran ” or ' inner organ ' of mind comprising of “ Aham ” ( feeling of “ I ” Self ) “ Chit ” ( the state of Mind ) “ Buddhi ” ( which makes wisdom possible ) and “ Manas ” ( Mind ) would refine the practitioners and teachers of EI alike more , undoubtedly .
There are several scholars who have done pioneering work in to the world Emotional Intelligence and Dr Daniel Goleman is one of them . For becoming emotionally intelligent , he says , “ You need to follow : “ Self awareness ,” “ Self Management ,” “ Empathy ” and “ putting all these ” in a skilled relationship .” It is interesting , however to see , how Vyasa through Lord Krishna enlightens Arjunain 18 elaborate chapters of Bhagavad Gita to combat indecisiveness and inability not only by infusing emotional intelligence , but by clarity-infusing light of logic , knowledge and wisdom with the help of “ Dharma ,” “ Neeti ,” “ Shastras ” and that makes Gita the best of treatise among other things that of
Emotional Intelligence !
C Devidasan
Vice President - WOW Factors
Thank You !