The need for holistic knowledge

The need for Organisations to foster knowledge and learning in a continued manner is advocated in a number of Sanskrit texts Bharatruhari emphasizes the need for a knowledge of holistic nature in the Neeeti Satakam. Explaining the dangers of scanty knowledge he says “An ignorant person can be satisfied easily; a very learned man can be satisfied even more easily. But even God himself cannot satisfy a man who is vainly proud of a smattering of knowledge”. Learning process in the scholarly ambience quickly melts the conceit and arrogance and it gets replaced by holistic knowledge.

Bharatruhari calls learning as the splendor that adorns man, it is the secret wealth: It is the guru of gurus and the kinsman for one who travels abroad. He concludes that one without knowledge is an animal. VIDHYAA VIHINAHA PASUHU. He also says knowledge to be effective should be followed by actions, without which it is a burden.

Hence the predominant function of knowledge at a holistic level would be to elevate human being to a state of total freedom. This is called in Western Texts as “Freedom State”.

The commanding directive of Indian Heritage is given when the Upanishad prompts the manager, as well as the worker, thus :
You have to make a resolve to “awake, arise and enlighten yourself by resorting to the Great”
UTTHISHTA JAAGRATA PRAAPYAVARAAN NIBODHATA

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Abstract | Introduction | Important Heritage Texts | Organizational concepts in Indian Heritage | Conceptual Model of Management | Governance and Administration | Governance and Administration in Tamil Sangam Heritage | Duties of a ruler as in Tamil Heritage Text | Fiscal Administration in Tamil Heritage Texts | SWOT Analysis | Knowledge Management | The learning of attitudes | Leader’s role in learning culture | Learning Models | The need for holistic knowledge | Conclusion | References