Skip to main content

Understanding Self and Well-Being Based on Ayurveda: Implications for Indian Management

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Indigenous Indian Management

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Indian Management ((PAIM))

Abstract

Indian Management is unique and distinct from the management theories from other parts of the world in two major ways. One is the world-view, another is Self-view. Both are interconnected; however, this chapter explores in depth how the Self-view or view of the Self is unique in Indian Management. Ayurveda, as the name suggests, the science of life and living, is one of the oldest works of literature on deep psychology and understanding self. The chapter expands on how wellness, well-being, and happiness, the three major concerns to the world of management today, have been intertwined in the understanding of self in Ayurveda. The theory encompasses practices to be integrated into everyday life in a mindful way to stay in a state of well-being.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. 1.

    Ayursmin vidhyate anen va ayurvindatityaurved, Sushrut Sutrasthan 1.13.

    Ayurveda is that which deals with life or which helps a man to enjoy a longer duration of life.

  2. 2.

    Hitahitam sukham dukhamayustsya Hitahitam.

    Manam ch tachch yatroktamayurvedah sa uchyate, Charak Samhita 1.41.

    The Shastra in which four kinds of Ayus or life are described, hita, ahita, sukha, and dukha, and the science to identify them, or measure them is described, what is life and how to live life well is described, that Shastra is called Ayurveda.

  3. 3.

    Shareerendriyasatvaatmasamyogo dhaari jiveetam.

    Nityagashchanubandhshch paryayairayuruchyate, Charak Samhita 1.42.

    Body or sharer, senses or indriyas, mind or manas, and soul or atma their combination creates life. They hold life—dhaari, continuity and movement—jeevit and nityaga, of life, interconnection—anubandha of life are synonyms to their existence.

  4. 4.

    Sukhartha sarvabhootanam mataha sarvaha pravruttaya.

    Sukham cha na vina dharmattsmatdharmaparo bhavet, Astanga Hrdaya Vagbhata Sutrasthana 2.20.

    All impulses of all beings are directed toward happiness. Happiness comes from following dharma. Hence, in order to achieve happiness, we must follow Dharma.

  5. 5.

    Dharmarthakaammokshanamargyaam moolamuttamam, Charak Samhita 1.15.

    To achieve the four prusharthas or aims of life—dharma, artha, kaama, and moksha, one’s health should be in optimal state.

  6. 6.

    Prayojanam chaasya swasthsya swasthyakshanmatursya vikarprashamanam cha, Charak Samhita 30.26.

    The aim of Ayurveda is to protect the health of healthy people, and cure the ones who are diseased.

  7. 7.

    Iha khalvaayurvedo naam yadupangamatharvavedasya, Sushrut Sutrasthan 1.6.

    Ayurveda is regarded as Upang or Upaveda of Atharva Veda—Ayurveda is derived from Atharva Veda.

  8. 8.

    Athato deerghajeevitiyamadhyayam vyakhyasyamah, Charak Samhita 1.

    Now the chapter titled long life is being described.

  9. 9.

    Iha khalvaayurvedo naam yadupangamatharvavedasya, Sushrut Samhita 1.6.

    It is the truth that Ayurveda is derived from Atharva Veda and hence an Upanga.

  10. 10.

    Scott Gerson, M.D., Ph.D. (Ayurveda) www.gersonayurveda.com

  11. 11.

    Minute by Hon'ble T. B. Macaulay. 1835. February 2, Available from:http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00generallinks/macaulay/txt_minute_education_1835.html.

  12. 12.

    Kapadia, M. (2020). Deep Psychology and Ayurveda: Creating Engaging Classrooms with Ayurvedic Profile. In print.

  13. 13.

    From the forthcoming book by the Author of the paper, Mala Kapadia.

  14. 14.

    www.candacepert.com

  15. 15.

    Vasant Lad, ayurveda.com https://www.ayurveda.com/resources/articles/the-daily-routine.

  16. 16.

    Deloitte, The 2017 Deloitte millennial survey: Apprehensive millennials: Seeking stability and opportunities in an uncertain world, 2017.

  17. 17.

    cgjungcentre.org.

  18. 18.

    www.Newworldencyclopedia.org

  19. 19.

    Monier-Williams, M. (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (digitized by Google). Clarendon Press.

  20. 20.

    Monier-Williams, M. (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (digitized by Google). Clarendon Press.

  21. 21.

    Ibid.

  22. 22.

    Ibid.

  23. 23.

    Ibid.

  24. 24.

    Monier-Williams, M. (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (digitized by Google). Clarendon Press.

  25. 25.

    Ibid.

References

  • Anshu, A. S. (2016). Evolution of medical education in India: The impact of colonialism. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 62(4), 255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aphale Vaibhavi, M., & Gokhale, V. (2016). Lifestyle management by Sadvrittacharana. International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, 4(4), 758–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aryee, S., Budhwar, P. S., & Chen, Z. X. (2002). Organizational justice, trust foci, and work outcomes: Test of a mediated social exchange model. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23(3), 267–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barron, L. (2018, January 17). British people are so lonely that they now have a Minister for Loneliness. Time. https://time.com/5107252/minister-for-loneliness-uk/

  • Beer, M., Spector, B. A., Lawrence, P. R., Mills, D. Q., & Walton, R. E. (1984). Managing human assets. Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benoit, B., Boerner, K., Campbell-Yeo, M., & Chambers, C. (2018). The power of human touch for babies. Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, B. (2008). Employee = organizational communications. Institute for Public Relations. http://www.instituteforpr.org/topics/employee-organizational-communications/

  • Berry, H. L., Bowen, K., & Kjellstrom, T. (2010). Climate change and mental health: A causal pathways framework. International Journal of Public Health, 55(2), 123–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bersin, J. (2018, December 31). The economy and wages In 2019: What HR can do to help. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uncertain-economy-2019-what-hr-can-do-help-josh-bersin/

  • Bhattacharya, B. (2015). Everyday Ayurveda: Daily habits that can change your life. Penguin Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boswell, W. R., & Olson-Buchanan, J. B. (2007). The use of communication technologies after hours: The role of work attitudes and work-life conflict. Journal of Management, 33(4), 592–610.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chew, J. (2016, February 11). This country just appointed a Minister of happiness. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2016/02/10/uae-minister-happiness/

  • Church, M. (2002). High life 24/7 balance your body chemistry & feel uplifted. Thought Leaders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooperider, D., & Fry, R. (2012). Minor flourishing and the positive psychology of sustainability. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 46, 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunsolo, A., & Ellis, N. R. (2018). Ecological grief as a mental health response to climate change-related loss. Nature Climate Change, 8(4), 275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalal, A. K., & Mishra, G. (Eds.). (2011). New directions in health psychology. Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Graaf, J. (2002). Affluenza: The all-consuming epidemic. Environmental Management and Health, 13(2), 224–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deloitte Global Human Capital (D.G.H.C.) Trends. (2018). The rise of the social enterprise. Deloitte Development LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, S. D. (2014). Evaluation of a heartmath workshop for physiological and psychological variables. African Journal for Physical Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 20(1), 236–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, S. D. (2015). HeartMath: A positive psychology paradigm for promoting psychophysiological and global coherence. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 25(4), 367–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frawley, D. (1998). Ayurveda and the mind: The healing of consciousness (1st ed.). Motilal Banarsidass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frawley, D. (1999). Yoga and Ayurveda. Lotus Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosal, S., & Bartlett, C. A. (2000). The individualized corporation. Random House Business Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs, W. W. (2003). The unseen genome: Beyond DNA. Scientific American, 289(6), 106–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2009). The compassionate mind. Constable & Robinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govindaraj, P., Nizamuddin, S., Sharath, A., Jyothi, V., Rotti, H., Raval, R., & Sule, M. (2015). Genome-wide analysis correlates Ayurveda Prakriti. Scientific Reports, 5, 15786.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, P. D. (2015). Pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics and ayurgenomics for personalized medicine: A paradigm shift. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77(2), 135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haidt, J. (2006). The happiness hypothesis: Finding modern truth in ancient wisdom. Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmon, K. (2010, May 6). How important is physical contact with your infant? Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/infant-touch/

  • Harvard Medical School. (2018, June). Healthy gut, healthy heart? How the trillions of bacteria in your intestinal tract play a role in your cardiovascular health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/healthy-gut-healthy-heart

  • Hill, C. A. (2007). A third alternative to concordism and divine accommodation: The worldview approach. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 59(2), 129–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hone, L. C., Jarden, A., Schofield, G. M., & Duncan, S. (2014). Measuring flourishing: The impact of operational definitions on the prevalence of high levels of wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 4(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jung, C. G. (1971). The collected works of C.G. Jung, Vol. 6: Psychological types (H. G. Baynes, Trans., revised by R. F Hull.). Princeton University Press (originally published 1921).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapadia, M. (2013). Human Re-sourcing. IBA Journal of Management & Leadership, 5(1), 79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapadia, M. (2020, September 25–27). A success story from India- CBPCACS [Case Presentation]. Covid-19: Lessons and Emerging Strategies in Ayurveda. Council for Ayurveda Research, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keyes, C. L. (2002). The Mental Health Continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., & Rhee, Y. (2011). Strategic thinking about employee communication behavior (ECB) in public relations: Testing the models of megaphoning and scouting effects in Korea. Journal of Public Relations Research, 23, 243–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lad, V. (2002). Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental principles of Ayurveda (Vol. 1). Ayurvedic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lad, V. (2006). The role of devotion in life. Ayurveda Today.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larson, J. S. (1999). The conceptualization of health. Medical Care Research and Review, 56(2), 123–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leaman, O. (1999). Key concepts in Eastern philosophy. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F. (2005). Organizational behavior (10th ed.). McGraw- Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, L. A. (2005). Wellness at work: Protecting and promoting employee health and wellbeing. CIPD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marone Family Wellness. (n.d.). Pasteur vs. Bechamp: An alternative view of infectious disease. http://maronewellness.com/pasteur-vs-bechamp-an-alternative-view-of-infectious-disease/

  • Maslow, A. H. (1968). Toward a psychology of being. D. Van Nostrand Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medical News Today. (2018, November 2). What is modern medicine? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323538.php

  • Mishra, L. C., Singh, B. B., & Dagenais, S. (2001). Ayurveda: A historical perspective and principles of the traditional healthcare system in India. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(2), 36–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monier-Williams, M. (1872). A Sanskrit-English dictionary (digitized by Google). Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morandi, A., Tosto, C., Di Sarsina, P. R., & Dalla Libera, D. (2011). Salutogenesis and Ayurveda: Indications for public health management. EPMA Journal, 2(4), 459–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, S., Klagholz, S., Peterson, C. T., Weiss, L., Chopra, D., & Mills, P. J. (2019). Psychosocial effects of a Holistic Ayurvedic approach to well-being in health and wellness courses. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 8, 2164956119843814.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patwardhan, B. (2014). Bridging Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific approaches in medicine. EPMA Journal, 5(1), 19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pawar, B. S. (2008). Two approaches to workplace spirituality facilitation: A comparison and implications. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 29(6), 544–567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poole, E. (2009). Organisational spirituality: A literature review. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 577–588.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quatro, S. A. (2004). New age or age old: Classical management theory and traditional organized religion as underpinnings of the contemporary organizational spirituality movement. Human Resource Development Review, 3(3), 228–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ray, P., & Gupta, H. N. (1965). Caraka Saṃhitā: A Scientific Synopsis. Sree Saraswati Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resnick, S., Warmoth, A., & Serlin, I. A. (2001). The humanistic psychology and positive psychology connection: Implications for psychotherapy. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 41(1), 73–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoda, D. (2014). Ayurvedic psychology: Ancient wisdom meets modern science. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 33(1), 14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rifkin, L. V. (2016). Defining a positive citizenship: Wellbeing for emancipation. (Master’s thesis). University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/104/

  • Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being (1st Free Press hardcover ed.). Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Severns Guntzel, J. & Murphy Johnson, N. (2020). Wellbeing inspires welldoing: How changemakers’ inner wellbeing influences their work (Report). The Wellbeing Project. http://wellbeing-project.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/research_report.pdf

  • Sharma, S. (2005, April 14–16). Indian ethos, Indian culture and Indian management: Towards new frontiers in management thinking. In ‘Indian Culture and Management’ Conference Proceedings of the ICSSR and COSMODE Workshop, Hyderabad.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, A. (2009). Sushrut Samhita Chaukhamba. Surbharati Prakashan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, S. (Ed.). (1979). Realms of Ayurveda. Arnold-Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shreevathsa, & Dwivedi, R. (2011). Manas Prakriti. Chaukhambha Visvabharati.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shriwas, H. K., & Chandrakar, R. (2018). Conceptual study of achara rasayana in ayurvedic science. European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 5(7), 146–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, H. W. (1992). The spiritual aspect of nature: A perspective from depth psychology. In  Proceedings of Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium (p. 25–30), April 7–9, 1991, Saratoga Springs, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shukla, A. V., & Tripathi, P. R. D. (2002). Charak Samhita (2nd ed., Vol. 1). Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, H. G. (1977). Psychotherapy in India: From Vedic to modern times. National Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, R. H. (2012). SwasthVrutta Vignyan. Chowkhamba Sanskrut Pratishthan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. B. (1990). Humanistic psychology. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 30(4), 6–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sreekumar, T. (2013). Astanga Hrdaya Vagbhata Sutrasthana. Harisree Hospital Publication Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, D. J. (2014). The emergence of consciousness in Genesis 1–3: Jung’s depth psychology and theological anthropology. Zygon, 49(2), 509–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutich, A. J. (1962). American association of humanistic psychology: Progress Report. Palo Alto, CA: AAHP1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tirtha, S. S. S. (2005). The Ayurvedic encyclopedia. Ayurveda Holistic Center Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasishtha, S. (2009). Nadi Tattva Darshanam. Ramlal Kapoor Trust.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasudevan, V. (2000). Sushrut Sutrasthan. Ayurvedatatvaprakashini AVP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, G. W., & Papamarcos, S. D. (2002). Social capital and organizational commitment. Journal of Business and Psychology, 16(4), 537–552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chirag Dagar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Kapadia, M., Dagar, C. (2022). Understanding Self and Well-Being Based on Ayurveda: Implications for Indian Management. In: Pandey, A., Budhwar, P., Bhawuk, D.P.S. (eds) Indigenous Indian Management. Palgrave Studies in Indian Management. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87906-8_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics