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Sangeetha:
what is the role of greed and ambition in the success of individuals
and corporations?
When
we are dealing with management and human action we can not take absolute
positions on passions like 'greed' and 'intolerance'. Note Arjuna was
intolerant of Karna, while Duryodhana was very tolerant of him. The
source of these emotions is insecurity and the instinct for survival.
Management is not dealing with 'categorical imperatives', it is dealing
with 'optimal choices'. Human's insecurity needs are legitimate and
management deals with fulfilling man's insecurity needs in an environment
of scarcity. We must understand human frailities like 'ego' ' greed'
and 'intolerance in that light.
Sangeetha: It is a wonderful experience to read Mahabharata again
keeping your insights and views in mind. Yes, it is interesting that
Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya about how his kids are doing, on the 9th
day, when Bhishma had already fallen and the war was going on to the
side of Pandavas. Earlier I thought it is just the one-sighted view
(only towards his kids) of Dhritarashtra that made him ask that question.
Now I see that it is just his anxiety at a juncture when the war was
turning victory towards Pandavas, that made him say 'mamakaah'. Just
the psychological condition of an old, incapacitated but ambitious father.
The three motifs you see in MB are also interesting -- yajna/ritual,
dice and war -- all I would think spearheaded by a patriarchal vision,
prevalent at that time, for power and fun.
Power ie. control over decision making/which is ultimate fun is what
the insecure human seeks. Patriarchy is one of many power structures.
Male authority over production and reproduction, using his muscles and
testesterone generated agression is the nature of patriarchy. Female
uses sex appeal to control male and decision making. That is why females
are extremely jealous of other influencial females. Patriarchy is a
win-win power structure in a given situation, evolved over long ages,
where the strength and weaknesses of both sides are taken into consideration.
...
Women
wield power by manipulating men. Power seeking woman becomes secretive,
aristrocratic and feels guilt and ties herself in many knots. Satyavati
manipulates Santanu, Bhishma and Vyasa, Droupadi manipulates Bhima,
Krishna and Arjuna, Kunti manipulates Vidura, Karna, Dritarashtra and
Dharmaputra. Manipulation is wielding power with out accountability
Swami
Bodhananda