Industrial and Business-management aspects of Diwali and Govardhan-puja
The Indian summer season and monsoon rains are over by October or Kartik month according to Indian calendar. All sorts of insects are surfaced on the ground and condition of get deteriorated due to rainy season. All the activities of businesses also required to be restrengthened. So, needs arise for extra cleaning and ensuring hygienic conditions in order to live healthy and happy life. As dullness of rainy season is no more, weather is pleasant, new crops are ready, thoughts turn to the festival celebration. Celebrations involve exercise in group that releases endorphins hormone and make individuals happy. The celebration is started by cleaning and refurbishing of houses and business centres.
Management principles and decluttering: For human-being, activities are supported by money. So, creation and management of wealth are necessary. It appears as if letters of name ‘Diwali’ itself show us the first lesson of management.
D – Declutter all the items of the house/ work-place, that have not been utilized in recent past.
I – Inspect and ensure that these will not be utilized in recent future.
W -Wash and clean the places and items
A – Assortment of the items
L – Location allotment for every item
I – Institutionalize for keeping the items in practice
Perhaps following ‘5-S’ practice in Japanese style of management has been inspired by ‘DIWALI’ only:
1S > SEIRI (sort)
2S > SEITON (set & store)
3S > SEISO (shine & inspection)
4S > SEIKETSU (standardization)
5S > SHITSUKE (sustain & discipline)
The festival ‘Diwali’ that one celebrates after ensuring cleanliness has been termed as Deepavali also. The word Deepawali originates from Sanskrit words deep (lamp) and vali (row). It literally means “row of lights”, because the light pin point if there is slightest dirtiness anywhere.
Management by developing industries: Lord Krishna is called ‘Management Guru’ now a days, as he preached for the Karma-yoga, describing great management principles, in Gita. But very few people know regarding the secret of ‘Dahi-handi breaking’. During his childhood, Krishna was insisting that Dahi (curd) should not be taken to Mathura for selling, rather butter should be prepared in order to develop dairy industries.
Govardhan is the symbol for developing grass growing fields so that cows could graze there for food so that enough milk is available for the dairy industries. People used to worship a God ‘Indra’ after Laxmi-puja. Lord Krishna professed for devoting time and energy for the development of the mount where cows were grazing grass in-stead; and he gave it the name ‘GOVARDHAN’ because cows are the backbone for the dairy industry. In this way he saved that area from the economic crisis.
Local is vocal: During the celebration of Diwali and Gowardhan-puja, more importance have been given to develop local industries to encourage employment in various fields. For example:
- Use of earthen idols, lamps etc. to develop pottery.
- Use of paddy-rice blooms for worshipping Goddess Laxmi
- Tradition to prepare ‘Annakoot’ by cooking after mixing maximum possible vegetables locally available to emphasize importance of green leaves and other vegetables.
- Celebrating birthday of God Dhanvantari on Dhanteras for developing Ayurvedic pharmacy
- Tradition to buy new clothes and ornaments for strengthening business.
Importance of relationship: Human relations are the backbone of business and industry management. Maximum importance has been given to develop relationship among people engaged in different fields. Relationships are strengthened with festivity and exchange of sweets and gifts. It has, therefore, been a tradition to distribute sweets and gifts to others attached in the area.
Criteria for selection of the day for Diwali: For the celebration of Diwali, our ancient Rishis decided for the day when the astronomical condition is such that minds of human-beings need maximum boost for the beginning of all good things in life such as health, wealth, starting a new venture for growth and great relationships.
Astronomical condition on the occasion of Diwali: On the days of Diwali festival, the Sun, and the Moon are in conjunction and placed in Libra zodiac sign in Swati constellation. Libra rules business and professional life. So, starting a new venture is considered to be auspicious. The business community Prepare the balance sheet for the business and consider it an auspicious time to start new ventures, as the festival coincides with the Hindu New Year.
On this new moon day, with the sun debilitated and the moon completely dark and very close to debilitation, the inner light (and the personal experience of it, as shown by the moon) is much harder to feel and perceive. Thus, as a way to bring more intention and remembrance to the light within, we celebrate with an external “row of lights”. Swati is a feminine constellation in the sky, so, it was considered good for worshipping Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Kali devi. To start with always Lord Ganesha is worshipped. The accepted leader of all ‘Ganas’ is `Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is the personification of Buddhi signifying that in him, the mind and intellect are totally integrated. Lord Ganesh is the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.
The festival of lights which is celebrated in the month of Kartik usually lasts five days, starting from Dhanteras, followed by Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali), Lakshmi Pujan (Badi Diwali), Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj.
DAY ONE (DHAN TERAS): In order to give prime importance to health, the festival of Diwali actually starts with the celebration of the birth of Dhanwantari, a manifestation of Vishnu which is the master of Ayurveda (the knowledge of life), the god of good health, medicine, and all healing sciences. He came up from the churning of the cosmic ocean, with the pot of Nectar or “Amrit” in his hands. He prepared the ‘samhitas’ (the great texts) on Ayurveda in eight divisions (Ashtangas) for the benefit of humanity.
DAY TWO (CHHOTI DIWALI OR NARAK CHATURDASHI): The health could be sustained only if cleanliness is maintained to the extent that even drainage is shining when it is lightened. Many people take a ritual bath before sunrise, rubbing massage oil and ‘uptan’ (a paste of garam flour and fragrant powders) onto their bodies to relieve tension. People clean and decorate their homes with clay lamps specially at the places of drainages to ensure that the perfect cleanliness has been achieved.
DAY THREE (MAIN DIWALI DAY): Materialistic happiness could be arranged only through wealth. Goddess of wealth is Lakshmi. As the sun sets, prayers are paid to Lakshmi and Ganesh. Lakshmi, the divine female principle, the divine mother in her pure benign form, who bestows prosperity and all good qualities is worshiped and celebrated on this day. Then dozens of clay lamps are arranged around the house.
DAY FOUR (GOVARDHAN PUJA): The wealth could be created only when new ventures are started and due care is given to the local resources. This day is considered as the first day of the new business year, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season. Annakuta (mixed vegetables) is cooked, and Govardhan puja is celebrated signifying the worship of local resources of wealth. The day commemorates when Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rains and flooding.
DAY FIVE (BHAI DOOJ): In order to sustain long-term happiness, maintenance of relationship is important. This is the day signifying the importance of relationship for the wellbeing and growth. Relationship between brother and sister is considered to be the most auspicious.
Bhagwati Prasad Gupta 