Satyopanisad

[Guest guest]

Swami! Listening to your spiritual elucidation of worldly studies, we are lost

in wonder. Our Swami, who brings into the open the values of several

disciplines, is the World Teacher. We learn that Swami had given a message to

the M.B.A. students. If you consider us fit to receive it, kindly describe the

salient points to us.

 

Our institute offers M.B.A., and M.F.M. courses. But, first, what is meant by

" business " ? What does a " market " mean? Who is a " manager " ? Students learn these

things in the classroom and from their texts. However, business and marketing

are spread across the entire globe. Know that wherever giving and taking occur,

that is a market. This exchange, this give and take activity is business. Not

merely a shopping complex.

 

In the market called the world, what we call the Mind is the Manager. This Mind

has to manage well; then, the Heart is a Leader. Between one event and another,

there is time; between one thing and another, there is space. What takes place

between the two is karma.

 

Now let us turn to appreciate the love of a guru or preceptor. Teachers like

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are famous the world over. Of these, Socrates is

quite familiar to you. The judges sentenced Socrates to death because he thought

that under the `evil' influence of Socrates, young men were taking to wicked

ways instead of joining the army, as they should. But Socrates who loved his

students was not prepared for that sort of death. Ordering them to obey him

strictly, he bade them procure some poison. He had them seated all around him,

and asked them to touch the vessel of poison. He thought, it is better to die

among his students than at the hands of foolish judges. Such was his love for

them. The disciples who realised this became illustrious later on.

 

Consider the founder of the Bata Company, a man of immense devotion to God. He

used to make creaking shoes with a cushion of horse and donkey hair. He made a

living out of selling these and served the people thus. His devotion and his

spirit of service led to his rise to honour and fame. Therefore, love, devotion,

and the spirit of service are essential for a Manager

 

Alexander was getting ready to invade Bharat; he approached his teacher to seek

his blessings. Then, the teacher said, " My son! I heard that some of the most

highly esteemed objects are to be found in Bharat. Get them for me as your

offering to the teacher. First, there are in Bharat wandering ascetics endowed

with perfect devotion and absolute detachment. Bring along with you one such

ascetic. Second, Bharat is a land sanctified by the feet of great spiritual

aspirants, mahants, heads of mendicants, sages, and incarnations of God in the

course of their wanderings. That dust is very sacred. Bring some along. Third,

they say river Ganga washes off all sins. My son! Bring some Ganga water in a

vessel. Fourth, there is the riches of the Bhagavadgita which underscores the

right way to live and its goal. Procure a copy for me! "

 

Now, being born in the land of Bharat, you have to develop the spirit of

sacrifice. Our high ideals and values help students to attain prestige and fame.

Satya and Dharma are very important in life. They are as precious as the vital

breath. Know that without these, life is barren. These qualities are absolutely

essential for a Manager.