02

Eminent guests on the dais and in the audience, brothers, sisters and dear youth.

It is my humble privilege to be part of this International Seminar on 'Sustainability in the age of disruption'.

We are the manifestation of God. We are perfect and divine.

Our scriptures have prescribed Dharma (righteousness), Aratha (wealth), Kama (Family) and Moksh (Liberation).

The Scriptures gave us the message that through righteousness (Dharma) we should acquire the wealth (Aratha).

Ethics is righteousness.

Kama – Have family. Enjoy family life.

Moksa – Liberation. Work for liberation. Engage in self-realisation, soul purification and achieve enlightenment within through services for the welfare of the people.

Spirituality imbibes values, ethics, fearlessness, courage, selflessness, spirit of cooperation, spirit of helping, self-control, non-violence, truthfulness, egoless, humbleness, perseverance, endurance, integrity, calmness, patient hearing, modesty, free of greed, hard work, austerity, contentment, simplicity, enthusiasm, loving, empathy, sympathy, forgiveness, enterprising, courteous, caring and teamwork. All these factors need to be integrated in the business for its sustenance.

Swami Vivekananda said, "Manifest spirituality within you. Mark, if you give up spirituality the result will be that in three generations you will be extinct."

In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never, never, never give up. It is essential to have faith in self, in all and in God."

Swami Vivekananda quotes, “Every human being has infinite power. Manifest spirituality within you."

Steve Jobs (developer of Apple), Mark Zuckerberg (co-founder of Facebook) had spiritual awakening in India. They developed the intuition and were successful.

God conspires with those who work for the welfare of all, creating and generating wealth for the welfare of creation. Lord Krishna had conspired with Arjuna breaking His own promises.

Businesses are bound to be affected by the storms of external factors besides the internal factors. It becomes difficult to sustain business. We have seen ups and downs happen and even the mighty corporates have failed globally. In the last few years so many business enterprises have failed.

Spirituality develops all the qualities as mentioned above to sustain a business. Spiritual development within our mind, body and soul can help us sweep off failures and dive in the ocean of success. Many have become bankrupt despite best efforts for external reasons.

Late Dr. Prof. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had inspiration from an acclaimed enlightened guru when he was in depression and was not being selected for a job. Moral integrity is necessary for success. We all know about his successes.

Lord Krishna advised His disciple Arjuna in the battlefield of Mahabharata to work hard with devotion for the welfare of creation. Do not look for the fruits of action. Be free from the bondage of duality.

Even during activity in the material world, all action must be done to serve humanity. Engage in activities in consciousness of God than to be a Sanyasi. With control of mind and senses, work with devotion in consciousness of soul and God.

Spirituality gives the strength to face external, internal and other problems. Despite all the risk analysis and action, a business enterprise may face the tsunami of failure. With spirituality all the people in the organisation have to stand up fearlessly with faith in oneself, all and Almighty and affirm that we are successful and we are committed to make the business sustaining with infinite power, in-depth wisdom and indomitable energy as we have to create, generate and protect wealth of the people and the Nation. With this spirituality God will conspire to award the success. The work is for the welfare of the people. It means all the cosmic forces help if our work is done righteously with faith and devotion. Storms/tsunamis will hit the business. It will shine with new glory. Business enterprises infused with spirituality will shine with the rays of growth nourishing all as the sun with its rays nourishes all.