Human values-based

teachings of Vedas
Akash Deep Chand
Introduction
The Vedas are a large body of knowledge texts
originating in the ancient Indian subcontinent.
Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitut
e the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the
oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
Introduction (2)
There are four Vedas:
Rigveda,
Yajurveda,
Samaveda and
Atharvaveda.
Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types t
he Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas (text
on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), the
Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrific
es), and the Upanishads (texts discussing meditation, philosop
hy and spiritual knowledge). Some scholars add a fifth categor
y the Upasanas (worship)
Teachings
A man has duties and commitments in all stag
es of life. The Vedas teach how to perform the
m.
It contains entire range of knowledge. Veda is t
he source of all Dharma i.e. religion, morality,
righteousness and good conduct.
It has the highest authority over other material
s of the past.
According to the Vedas, the noblest virtue is tr
uth, and then follows other virtues.
4 Objectives of Human Life
1. DHARMA - Righteousness
2. ARTHA - Acquisition of wealth by proper mea
ns and its right use
3. KAMA - Fulfillment of noble desires
4. MOKSHA - Liberation or the final Goal
Dharma
This is the first and foremost objective or pursuit of li
fe.
Dharma is a Sanskrit word and it has no exact equiva
lent in English language. It has much wider significan
ce than the word 'religion', in its ordinary sense, as c
urrently in vogue in the existing conventional forms.
The word DHARMA has been derived from its root D
hri which means 'to uphold', 'to adopt', 'to safeguar
d', etc. In essence, therefore DHARMA means that w
hich is worthy of being upheld or being practice
d.
The ten basic principles of Dhar
ma
1. Forbearance:- It is the quality to remain calm and compose
d in all circumstances.
2. Control of mind:- One should exercise full control over the
mind which is always restless and changing.
3. Kshama (Forgiveness):- It is virtue of those who are physica
lly and morally strong. However, it is not desirable to forgive
a habitual wrong doer.
4. Non Stealing:- One should not steal or take away or acquir
e anything which belongs to others, without paying its proper
price and without permission of the rightful owner
5. Shauch (Cleanliness):- One should keep the body, mind a
nd physical environment clean and pure.
The ten basic principles of Dh
arma (2)
6. Wisdom:- One should always try to gain wisdom throu
gh study, self experience and wise company.
7. Control of Senses:- One should keep one's sense (of a
ction and knowledge) under control and become their
master.
8. Knowledge:- One should acquire knowledge both of p
hysical and spiritual domain from all possible sources
9. Truth:- One should practice truth in thought, words a
nd deed
10. Non Anger:- One should try to remain calm and bal
anced even in the face of provocation.
Artha (wealth)
ARTHA or the acquisition of wealth is the seco
nd most important pursuit or objective of hum
an life.
DHARMA comes first and ARTHA has to be bas
ed on Dharma.
The observance of DHARMA takes priority
Forms of ARTHA
1. Knowledge is the greatest wealth; both mat
erial and spiritual. Material Knowledge relates t
o our worldly life, requirements and activities,
while spiritual knowledge relates to spirit, God
and inner life. Material knowledge is necessary
to live worldly life and it can be gained thru pro
per education, intellecual pursuits and everyda
y experience, etc. However, the spiritual knowl
edge is much difficult to acquire. Spiritual know
ledge leads to self realisation. It can be attaine
d through the hard practice of yogic discipline
Forms of ARTHA (2)
2. Health is another form of Wealth. One has t
o acquire and practice the knowledge of attain
ing good health, which includes the well being
at physical, emotional and mental levels. Good
food, proper regular exercise and good thoug
hts are some of the fundamentals of good hea
lth.
Forms of ARTHA (3)
3. Contentment is another wealth. It means a
bstinence of desire to possess more and more
of life requirements and material possessions.
It aso implies that one should work honestly, t
ry his best and be satisfied with the results of
his efforts. Contentment gives mental peace a
nd moral strength to remain calm in all circum
stances.
Forms of ARTHA (4)
4. Material Wealth is another wealth. It shoul
d be acquired keeping the DHARMA. Some por
tion of money should be used for charitable p
urposes. It should be expended only for the n
ecessities and not for one's greed (luxuries). O
ne should not become slave of the material we
alth but should master it.
KAMA (Controlled fulfillment of
desires)
KAMA is two faceted:
One (controlled and beneficial desire) acts as a catalyti
c agent for actions in life. Much of the personal and w
orldly progress is the result of desire to achieve somet
hing, to discover something new.
Another (uncontrolled or not beneficial desire) ca
n lead to destruction.
MOKSHA (SALVATION)
This the fourth an final objective of human life
.
It is the state of liberation from misery and pai
n which are so abundant in human life.
It is the state of Ananda (perfect bliss) after att
aining which nothing more remains to be attai
ned.
VEDIC STUDIES AND THEIR APPLI
CATION
TO MODERN MANAGEMENT
According to Hindu scriptures there are 10 Vedic restraints o
r Yama and 10 Vedic practices or Niyama. The Vedic restraint
s include ahimsa and satya besides brahmcharya or divine
conduct, daya and saucha or purity among others. On the
other hand the Vedic practices include remorse or hri, cont
entment or santosha and donating or dana and vrata or sa
cred vows besides japa or recitation and tapa or austerity.
The object of these rigorous set of Vedic practices was to aid
in the spiritual inquiry of answering the following questions:
Who am I?
What is the object of my coming to this world?
What am I to do next?
What is the riddle in the nature of life?
VEDIC STUDIES AND THEIR APPLICATION
TO MODERN MANAGEMENT (2)

According to Peter Drucker workers need to as

k questions such as:
Who am I?
What are my strengths?
How do I need to work?
What will be my contribution? (Drucker 1974).

The management practices stated by Peter Dru

cker very much include the human values taug
ht be the Vedas.
VEDIC STUDIES AND THEIR APPLICATION
TO MODERN MANAGEMENT (3)
Further, one can quote the late Steve Jobs of Apple Computer
s: Your time is limited, so dont waste it living someone elses
life. Dont be trapped by dogma-which is living with the result
s of other peoples thinking. Dont let the noise of others opin
ions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, h
ave the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They some
how already know what you truly want to become. Everything
else is secondary
Steve Jobs was talking about an inner voice that is the Atma
n while the heart or intuition symbolizes the Brahman. A Hi
ndu who has been trained in Vedic precepts will link his Atma
n with the Brahman thereby unleashing the infinite power th
at lies within each of us. it becomes evident that the answers
lie within.
VEDIC STUDIES AND THEIR APPLICATION
TO MODERN MANAGEMENT (4)

Finally, one has to appreciate the answer to th

e eternal question of why we are here and the
reafter apply the answer towards governing o
nes life. It is only in following a life based on d
harma that one will be able to overcome the k
armic cycle and attain total peace. It is this aw
areness that needs to be instilled into the corp
orate world.
THANK YOU!