Ramayana & Transformational Leadership

This presentation was made at the International Conference on Sanskrit: Sanskrit in Asia, Unity in Diversity organized by Sanskrit Studies Centre, Silpakorn University, Imperial Queen Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, 23 – 26 June, 2005. If you are interested to read the full paper, please email me at [email protected]

1. Valmiki Ramayana and
Transformational Leadership
By
Balakrishnan Muniapan
Sungai Petani, Kedah, MALAYSIA

2. Abstract
This paper explores and explains the
transformational leadership style
demonstrated by Sri Rama.
Transformational leadership consisting
four dimensions (4I’s) namely;
Inspirational Motivation (IM), Idealized
Influenced (II), Intellectual Stimulation
(IS) and Individualized Consideration
(IC) was developed by Bass & Avolio
(1994).
This paper is based on a qualitative
research methodology called
hermeneutics, which is the interpretation
of ancient or classical literature (Valmiki
Ramayana) and the review of literatures
in transformational leadership .

3. Introduction
Kujantam rama rameti madhuram madruraksaram;
Aruhya kavita sakham vande valmiki kokilam

“I salute Valmiki, the cuckoo, who, perching on the tree of
poesy, melodiously sing the sweet syllables – Rama, Rama”
(Ranganathanda Swami cited in Subramaniam, 2003, pp
vii).
Valmiki Ramayana, in the Sanskrit literature is known as
Adikavya or the first poem and Sri Valmiki Muni is known
as Adikavi or the first poet
Valmiki Ramayana offers many lessons in various fields by
great personalities, Sri Rama exhibited great leadership
qualities, which has transformed and continues to transform
millions of people even today.

4. Valmiki Ramayana is the source of many other versions of
Ramayana such as Adhyatma Ramayana (Sanskrit), Kamba
Ramayana (Tamil), Tulsidas Ramayana (Hindi), Ezhuttachan
Ramayana (Malayalam) and other Ramayanas in all the
languages of the states in India and also in the South East
Asian languages.
As Tulsidas, the author of Ramcharitamanas (Tulsidas
Ramayana) said, `Ramakatha kai miti jaga nahi` - It is
impossible to keep count of Ramakathas (Ramayana
versions) in this world (Sundaram, 2002)
The stories and the personalities associated with the lila
(pastimes) of Sri Rama have captured the hearts of over three
billion people worldwide. ‘Ram katha jag mangal karni’
quotes Tulsidas, which means the story of Sri Rama will
bring about the good of the world (Sharma, 2002).

5. A Veda (knowledge) by itself was revealed by Sri Valmiki
Muni, in the form of Ramayana when Sri Rama, the goal of
Vedas came as the son of King Dasaratha (Vedavedye pare
punsi jate Dasarathatmaje; Vedah prachetasadasit
sakshadramayanatmana).
Valmiki Ramayana consists of 24,000 verses divided into six
Kandas (sections) namely Bala, Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishkinda,
Sundara and Yuddha Kanda. A seventh Kanda named Uttara
Kanda stands apart from the main epic (Tapasyananda, 1991).
The narration of Valmiki Ramayana revolves around the life
and character of Sri Rama who was born to King Dasaratha
– the King of Ayodhya. Sri Valmiki Muni portrays Sri Rama
as an ideal king, ideal son, ideal brother, ideal husband, ideal
friend, ideal student and ideal enemy.

6. Objectives of the Paper
This paper specifically explores and explains the
transformational leadership exhibited by Sri Rama as
narrated by Valmiki Muni in Ramayana.
Research works exploring and explaining the Ramayana (Vedic
literatures) in the context of modern management and
leadership are limited.
Ramayana has a lot to offer to management and leadership,
however there is a lack of awareness of the message and lessons
from Ramayana in leadership in this 21
st
century.
The transformational leadership exhibited by Sri Rama is a
model and a guideline for every leader at any levels of
organization, society and country.

7. Leadership
Leadership is an art (not
science) of influencing,
motivating, inspiring, and
transforming people (human
resources) towards achieving
organizational goals.
The leader is the most
important element in
leadership. Napoleon once
said that he would have an
army of rabbits led by a lion
than a army of lion led a a
rabbit (Sheh, 2003)

8. Transformational Leadership
Bass & Avolio (1994) states that there two types of leadership;
Transactional Leadership and Transformational
Leadership
Burns (1978) characterized transformational leadership as a
process that motivates followers by appealing to higher ideals
and moral values.
Transformational leaders are able to define and articulate a
vision and mission for their organization and departments and
their leadership style can transform their followers towards
higher performance
Transactional leadership focuses on exchange on valued
things (rewards) and how current needs of followers can be
fulfilled (Bass & Avolio, 1994)

9. “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the
men to go to the forest to gather wood, saw it,
and nail the planks together (Transactional
Leader)
Instead, teach them the
desire to explore the sea
(Transformational
Leader).”
Transformational Leadership

10. Traits of a Transformational Leader
1. Transformational leaders are visionaries - Sri
Rama created future vision for Ayodhya and the vision was
clearly communicated to the people of Ayodhya before
leaving to the forest.
2. Transformational leaders are change agents -
Sri Rama changed the kingship of Kiskhinda from Vali to
Sugriva and the kingship of Lanka.
3. Transformational leaders - are courageous
people. Sri Rama was firm and brave to take all the risk to
protect the words his father (King Dasaratha) gave to
Kaikeyi

11. Traits of a Transformational Leader
4. Transformational leaders believe in people - Sri
Rama had complete trust and belief in Sugriva to recover Sita.

5. Transformational leaders are value driven - Sri
Rama, never deviated or deviates from the words he had and
has given.
6. Transformational leaders are life long learners
- Sri Rama, a perfect example of life of learner.
7. Transformational leaders have the ability to
deal with complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty
- Sri Rama had to make the painful decision to banish Sita
from Ayodhya.

12. The Four (4) Dimensions of
Transformational Leadership
Idealized Influence (II) - the people of Ayodhya
were full of loyalty and adoration to Sri Rama,
which resulted them to follow him (Sri Rama) and
to request Sri Rama to return to their kingdom
(Ayodhya).
Intellectual Stimulation (IS) - The intellectual
stimulation provided by Sri Rama forced Bharata to
think and rethink some of the ideas that he never
questioned before.

13. The Four (4) Dimensions of
Transformational Leadership
Inspirational Motivation (IM) - Hanuman crossed
the ocean to Lanka and found Sita. Sri Rama also
exhibited inspirational motivation to the vanaras
in the construction of the bridge to Lanka.
Individualized Consideration (IC) - it is my vow
to provide shelter and protection to any living entity
from fear, even if Ravana comes for protection, he
(Sri Rama) will give protection. (Sakrudeva
prapannaya tavasmiti cha yachate; Abhayam sarva
bhutrbhyo dadamyetadh vratam mama).

14. Sri Rama
exhibits
inspirational
motivation to
the vanaras
(monkeys) in
the
construction
of the bridge
to Lanka

15. Conclusion

Concluding sargas (chapters) of
Yuddha Kanda and in Uttara
Kanda describe the results and
outcome of Sri Rama’s
transformational leadership.
Vikasa (2000) described
leadership of Ayodhya, during
Sri Rama’s reign. All citizens
were fully righteous, always
looking towards Sri Rama as their
lord and master. Beyond that they
saw Sri Rama as their life and
soul. All talk centered around Sri
Rama. The entire Ayodhya
transformed into Vaikunta.

16. Sri rama rama rameti rame
rame manorame;
Sahasra nama tat tulyam
rama nama varanane
Thank you
Balakrishnan Muniapan
[email protected]