5 Hallmarks of A Great Leader As Per Mahabharata

Composed at least 2000 years ago, The Shanti Parvan of the Mahabharat contains tremendous insights into Niti (policy, strategy, and diplomacy), the virtues of kings and leaders, the financial and monetary policy of the time, and other concepts revolving around Dharma. This discourse takes place entirely through the discussion between Bhishma and Yudhisthira.

Following are five excerpts that focus on the characteristics of a great leader.

Verse 56.34 — न कोशः परमो ह्यन्यो राज्ञां पुरुषसंचयात् I

The Rulers’ best treasure is the accumulation of competent persons in several spheres.

Verse 56.40 — तस्मान्नैव मृदुर्नित्यं तीक्ष्णो वापि भवेन्नृपः I वसन्तेऽर्क इव श्रीमान्न शीतो न च घर्मदः I

The Ruler should neither always be mild nor always be severe. They should be attractive like the sun in the springtime: neither cold nor causing perspiration.

Verse 58.15 — उत्थानधीरः पुरुषो वाग्धीरानधितिष्ठति I

A person proficient in actual achievements stands far superior to someone who is only skilled in words and schemes. Actions matter far more than just words and claims.

Verse 69.4 — आत्मा जेयः सदा राज्ञा ततो जेयाश्र्च शत्रवः I

The Ruler should first conquer and control their own Self and only after that should proceed to conquer their opponents.

Verse 59.57 — अलब्धलिप्सा लब्धस्य तथैव च विवर्धनं I प्रदानं च विवृद्धस्य पात्रेभ्यो विधिवत्तथा I

Acquiring what has not been acquired, augmenting what has been obtained, and donating what has been augmented for worthy objects and with necessary planning.

These five verses sum up some key attributes of leadership, such as:

1. Eye for talent
2. Dispassionate, patient, and astute behavior
3. Focus on accomplished actions
4. Self-awareness and self-control
5. Proactive and prudent planning

These verses and the translations are taken from the Introduction to Shanti Parvan, the 16th volume of the Critical Edition of Mahabharata published by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. It was edited by Shri Shripad Krishna Belvalkar: the founding father of the Bhandarkar Institute.

This is a minor glimpse of the incredible epic that is Mahabharata.

Visit “18 Parvans of Mahabharata — An Introduction to the Incredible Epic” to learn more about this foundational heritage of the Indian civilization.