Bhagavad Gita 1.1: The Forgotten Business Secret

The Ancient Secret Behind Fortune 500 Companies

No matter how big your company is - whether it’s a Fortune 500 giant or any successful startup—its business strategies, planning, and management principles align with something that was revealed 5,000 years ago. Surprised?

Yes, God Shri Krishna has already given us the ultimate guide to business strategy in the Bhagavad Gita. The lessons in this sacred text are not just about spirituality; they hold the secrets to leadership, management, decision-making, and success in business.

At the end of this article, I will share you some evidence and you will see how modern business strategies are directly linked to the Bhagavad Gita, and you will be inspired to read it yourself.

Why the Bhagavad Gita is Better Than an MBA

Many successful entrepreneurs, CEO's and corporate leaders follow principles that can be found in various books and business courses. But did you know that every lesson from these books was already stated in the Bhagavad Gita thousands of years ago?

Each chapter of the Gita is more valuable than a complete MBA course. Every shloka (verse) teaches many management lessons that can be applied to business and life.

Let’s analyze the very first verse of the Bhagavad Gita and uncover its business wisdom.

The Business Lessons from Chapter 1, Verse 1

The First Verse:

In simple terms, this verse is a question:

• Who is asking the question? Dhritarashtra

• Who is answering? Sanjay

• What is the question? Dhritarashtra asks Sanjay to describe the battlefield where his 100 sons (Kauravas) are facing the five Pandavas and their allies. He wants to know what is happening in the war.

Business Lessons from This Verse

1. Market Intelligence is Crucial

Dhritarashtra is seeking information about battlefields. The learning is that you too need to gather intelligence in your business. Know your market, enemy, data, consumer trend and others before you start any investment. If you ignore this, failure is inevitable.

Similarly an exporter must first analyse global trends—demand, competition, and government regulations. Just like in Kurukshetra, business is a battlefield where understanding your competitors (Kauravas) and your strengths (Pandavas) is essential.

2. Reliable Information Sources Matter

Sanjay reports exactly what he sees without modification. In business, in the same way, your source should also be intelligent and reliable like Sanjay. If you get manipulated or incomplete information from your source and if you make any decision or plan of action based on this manipulated and incomplete information, then for sure you are going to face lose in your business.

Your source of intelligence, market research and other analysis should be your Sanjay.

3. Timely Decisions Prevent Disaster

Dhritarashtra had access to the best advisors and intelligence but still failed as a leader because he was driven by emotions instead of strategy. He failed to take the right decision at right time. Similarly, in business, even if you have the best market data, it is useless if you do not act on it at the right time. Take calculated risks, the hallmark of leadership is that he takes tough and bold decisions.

Before you assign any task to your team to reach your goal and objectives, involve yourself a bit, place some checkpoint, understand the challenges your team is facing, support them, provide proper resources, take regular updates about progress and have some control. If you lose complete control, then you will be helpless same as Dhritarashtra. The same situation should not come to you in your business.

Never ever do micro management. Also don't involve yourself in the activity. Empower your team. If you have small team of 10-50 people, you can still involve yourself a bit but in a company where you have 500 - 600 employees, then you have to implement policies so that you have some grip.

Leaders must make calculated decisions, take bold risks, and act strategically instead of being driven by emotions or fear.

Now let me give you Real-World Business Examples Aligned with Bhagavad Gita.

1. Sun Tzu – The Art of War (5th Century BC)

Quote: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”

✅ Bhagavad Gita Connection (1.1): Just like King Dhritarashtra seeks insights about the battlefield, Sun Tzu highlights the importance of gathering intelligence, understanding competition, and making informed decisions.

We have this knowledge since more than 5000 years ago and Sun Tzu told us on 5th Century.

2. Napoleon Hill – Think and Grow Rich (1937)

Quote: “The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results.”

✅ Bhagavad Gita Connection (1.1): Dhritarashtra’s desire to see his sons win clouded his judgment. Dhritarashtra’s weak leadership led to his downfall. Similarly, in business, a weak or biased vision can lead to failure. Success requires clarity of thought and strong intent.

We have this knowledge since more than 5000 years ago and Napoleon Hill told us 1937

3. Simon Sinek – Start With Why (2009)

Quote: “Great leaders trust their gut. They understand the art before the science.”

✅ Bhagavad Gita Connection (1.1): Dhritarashtra lacks a true leadership mindset—he is emotional and not strategic. Great leaders make tough and bold decisions. Simon Sinek emphasises that successful leaders make bold choices based on deep insight, not just external data.

We have this knowledge since more than 5000 years ago and Simon Sinek told us on 2009

Stop Ignoring the Bhagavad Gita!

Many modern business leaders follow Sun Tzu, Napoleon Hill, or Simon Sinek, but the knowledge in their books was already in the Bhagavad Gita for over 5,000 years!

Unfortunately, many people still see the Bhagavad Gita as just a religious book. The truth is, it is the greatest business and leadership guide ever written.

It’s time to break free from colonial mindsets and start valuing our own wisdom. The Bhagavad Gita holds the secrets to business success, leadership, and strategic thinking.

Are you ready to unlock the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita? Start today!

Stay tuned for our next article, where we will uncover the business secrets from Chapter 1, Verse 2.

Till then, Ram Ram! 🙏

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