Business Sutra - A Very Indian Approach To Management

I have always found Mythology interesting for the fascination and intrigue it created. When I first read some of  Devdutt Pattanaik’s work I thoroughly enjoyed it, because he added the dimension of relevance and began connecting mythology to the present day business world.  When his book, Business Sutra, a very Indian approach to management was released, I knew it would be my next read and coincidentally BlogAdda sent it across for review.

Business Sutra uses mythologies, stories, symbols and rituals drawn from Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythologies to relate to how we Indians look at doing business. It aims at promoting new management thinking using the Indian way as linked to Indian arts, history and mythology as contrast to the western principles.

Ingrained characteristics like our ‘jugadi’ nature, finding comfort in chaos and co-existing with ambiguity define us as Indian across the world. Such facets peculiar to us apparently find their roots into a culture that dates back many years. The Business Sutra rewinds back in time, to find answers and explain to readers this pattern of behavior and why it makes perfect sense. Why does the same Indian behave disciplined when abroad and not care about rules when in India ?

The author uses the Indian Gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Brahma, Indra, Ganesha and others to showcase case studies from our present-day workplace scenario. These case studies are depicted using the traits, strengths and weaknesses of these Gods, since this is what conditions our own beliefs. I liked the section where the author compares the Western, Chinese and India belief systems which beautifully reasons out why the western managers have a high regard for order, while we in India are not worried with all the chaos around us.

The writing style makes the book a slow read along with the fact that most of these mythological verbatim take time to assimilate. However, once you are have read past the first 69 pages, you can always open any page or a chapter in middle and continue your read. The other thing that facilitates reading are the illustrations which are used so beautifully that they summarize the essence of the story to you.

Over the years with constant invasion followed by the deep influence the British left, the Indian belief system got diluted. Our B-schools and MNCs pretty much adopt the Western Management principals and business boils down to profit & numbers. The book doesn’t claim that the Indian belief system or any other system is superior; it just presents a way of thinking that over the years has got lost its way.

I really liked this line in the book which says “ if we believe that wealth needs to be chased, the workplace becomes a rana-bhoomi—a battleground of investors, regulators, employers, employees, vendors, competitors and customers; if we believe that wealth needs to be attracted, the workplace becomes a ranga-bhoomi—a playground where everyone is happy.” This book will subtly alter the way you look at people, processes and passions in life. But I wonder if its capable of a radical shift to create a strong Indian Influence.

Overall an excellent book!!

Happy Reading.


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