From the days of yore, management as a subject has elicited intrinsic interest in the human minds. Starting from the management of resources of man and material it has become an all-encompassing subject covering state governance, warfare, time, stress, value, finance and risk. Though an art, it has evolved into a science with its own well-defined techniques, proven strategies and unerring methodologies. Indians have always been leading in this science. Modern historians are for surprise on learning the greatness of the Indus Valley civilization. The Epics and old Indian literature like Artha Sastra are treasure houses of management studies.
Since 1980s, there has been a growing interest in management knowledge in western countries. During 1990s, Management gurus like Peter Drucker, Kenneth Blanchard, Henry Mintzberg, Rosabeth Moss-kenter, Tom Peters and Michael Porter have opened up the gates of modern management.
Present day dissemination of management knowledge has taken many forms. Business schools, special sections on management in newspapers, business journals, seminars, skill development programmes are a few to quote. Management consultancy has taken a centre stage and has grown as an industry.
Programmes are also devised based on philosophy and oriental mysticism to help people become familiar with their 'inner energy'; and build up their self-confidence. Corporate programmes are held to overcome stress management, enhance productivity, improve leadership qualities, efficiently manage time, understand value systems and cultivate work ethics. Principles of stress management, science of productivity, time management through self-management, value systems for positive living and work ethics for effective management are some of the lead topics on which the management gurus have been focusing in these sessions with senior executives.
Notwithstanding the fact that all these management studies have helped in improving the situation by reducing the stress and increasing the efficiency, the core principle underlying the whole subject is however missed out. The whole gamut of human operations is solely dependent on an unfailing substratum whose identity when revealed, the management of entire life is fait accomplice.
The author in this book has brought out this new perspective of life management, which is based on his personal experience. The author has drawn conclusions based on the eternal laws of Hindu code and extensively dwelt on that subject.
'Management' is a very familiar word in the present day scenario. This word denotes a subject that has gained much popularity nowadays to the extent that it has become indispensable. Its application in any field in this world is natural and the management in finance, administration, personnel, production, sales, materials and other areas is unavoidable. In short, management is flowing in the blood stream of the world. That is to say that any organised event taking place in this world is attributed to management.
While management is holding such a key position, now we are interested in enquiring about what serves as a guide to enable management to climb to such a level. Here comes the concept of Vedanta to our help.
Vedanta proclaims that Brahman, the non-dual Supreme Atman, the indwelling Self is the substratum of the universe. Vedanta explains about the apparent creation of the universe that appears to be. Vedanta declares that universe or duality is mere appearance. But universe is experienced by every being. It is well known that which is illusory cannot be experienced. On the contrary, universe is experienced. How to reconcile this? In Vedanta two realities are considered for the sake of understanding. They are known as empirical reality and absolute reality. When empirical reality gets sublated by the dawn of Gnana, absolute reality, the non-dual Brahman alone remains as the residue. This is explained in detail in this book. As stated earlier, every event that is taking place is attributed to management. Hence, in this work it is explained how Brahman manages the apparent universe by creating, maintaining and dissolving it. As the non-dual Supreme effectively manages the universe, the Vedanta that explains about this, becomes the guide for management of anything and everything within the universe. So it goes without saying that Vedanta is the management guide in every respect.