The Study of Commonly Used ‘Sanskrit Subhashitas’ in Management Perspective: Indigenous Management Thoughts Deeply Rooted in Indian Lifestyle.

Abstract

Sanskrit Subhashitas are always a matter of curiosity.  Indian culture and practices are considered to be only spiritual; but Indian culture has gifted the world with great philosophical knowledge. Indus Valley Civilisation was well-organised and well-developed. The civilisation, culture and language are parallel to each other. If culture was developed and civilisation was at its peak, then it also means that the practices and work culture were also well-developed and managed. The management and administrative principles and thoughts were in practice. Su-bhashita’ means the best and well-said quotes. Entire philosophy and knowledge of ancient culture is recorded in Sanskrit. Ancient Sanskrit texts are found in the form of Shlokas. It is an ‘expression in a formulaic manner using limited words’. Any concept of knowledge, takes many sentences and examples to explain. Sanskrit explains the same in the shortest form of ‘Shubhashita’. ‘Su’ means the best and ‘bhashita’ means told or said. There are many such commonly used ‘Subhashitas’ which are neither from any standardised book nor said by some leading ‘Rishi’. All those are lifestyle teachings and guiding principles or indigenous proverbs for Indian society. The paper is an attempt to study selected 41 unlisted and commonly used ‘Subhashitas’ explaining management and administrative principles.