In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhishmachaarya continuing with the thirty-six important qualities of a leader. We’ve seen two more important qualities here – Firstly, a leader should be passionate to earn wealth, but that wealth shouldn’t come at the expense of threatening or extorting the people of the kingdom. Secondly, we’ve seen that a leader can experience desires in the form of luxuries, etc. however, this should be under strict control. The desire can be experienced through the wealth earnt via the legitimate way and not through corruption of any sorts. We’ve witnessed modern day’s applications of these two points in our previous episode as well.
Moving on further, Bhishmachaarya says – “Priyam bruyath aakripanaha!” – Here, Bhishmachaarya explains that a leader should talk pleasingly with everyone, but at the same time, he should ensure that nobody takes him for a ride. This is a very important quality here. When a leader talks to his subordinates, he / she should ensure that no unparliamentary words or harsh language is used. This would demotivate people and ultimately the work would suffer. Moreover, a leader should constantly keep encouraging his people to strive for more and more achievements. This should come through good words and pleasing language. However, there is a sign of caution here – While talking pleasingly, a leader should ensure that people do not end up cheating him. Just because a leader is seen as a “laughing stock”, some people can drive their personal agenda into the work and create unwanted situations. Thus, the leader should be able to talk pleasantly, at the same time, the leader should also be able to punish and confront those people who deviate from the path of “Dharma”.
In all these explanations that we’ve seen so far, it is very interesting to see that Bhishmachaarya is subtly trying to focus on a fine balance in all qualities. While we were witnessing Valmiki Maharishi’s accord on leadership qualities, he straightaway mentioned them as specific “characteristics”. But here, Bhishmachaarya is trying to build a definite narrative behind every quality. From the first quality till the fifth one (discussed just now), we are able to see both the positive and the negative aspects of that quality. Firstly he said that a person should follow “Dharma” at all times, but that doesn’t mean that he would always have a frowning face at all times. Secondly he says that while “Sneham” (Affection) is important, it should not come at the cost of compromising one’s “Dharma”. Thirdly he says that a leader should definitely earn wealth, but that wealth should not come in the form of corruption and extortion. Fourth, he says that desires are important, but that shouldn’t go beyond permissible limits. Here also, Bhishmachaarya explains that a leader should be pleasing in language, but at the same time he should ensure that nobody takes him for a ride. Thus, in all these explanations, Bhishmachaarya is trying to strike a balance! He explains the “Dharma”, but at the same time, explains the other end of the spectrum too, which makes it very interesting here.
Moving on further, Bhishmachaarya explains thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve to be extremely powerful with extreme valor! However, you shouldn’t boast about your power to anybody!” This is yet another important point here. It is very important for a leader to exert power. But that power should be shown through performance and not through mere words. At any cost, we should never boast about our capabilities to the outside world through our words. If we have unique and specific capabilities, we should show them through our actions. For instance, I might be a great musician. I should showcase my talent through my singing and related stage performances. However, there is no point in constantly telling everyone that I’m a great singer! Thus, being exceptionally talented is very important, but that should come with humility.
Further, Bhishmachaarya explains thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You should give a lot of “Dhaanam”. However, you should ensure that you do it for the right and deserving people!” This is also very important. Even in today’s context, we talk very high about “Dhaanam” (Donation) and helping needy people. Of course, this is very important and all of us should do it. In fact, “Manu-Dharma-Shaastram” says that every person should allocate atleast one-sixth of the portion of his / her earnings for performing “Dhaanam”. This is not only talked about in our “Sanatana Dharma”, but also in other religions like Islam and Christianity too. Hence, “Dhaanam” is important. But having said that, we should know to whom we are giving the“Dhaanam” to, isn’t it? We cannot just give something randomly to someone. We should know what we are giving, and to whom. For instance, there might be several beggars lined up in the entrance of many temples. Some people might be handicapped, or very physically challenged due to old age, etc. Donating something to them is absolutely welcome! However, there would be some others who have very good physical capabilities, but still they would choose the easier and lazier path of earning money (through begging), without doing any work. If we give something to these people, we are indirectly making them more lazy, aren’t we? Hence, we should not encourage such people to beg in the streets. Instead, they should be motivated to learn something and earn money through that to sustain their living.
Thus, the point here is that, while “Dhaanam” is important, we should identify the right and deserving people to offer it. “Dhaanam” is not for anyone and everyone in this world. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion further in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 