The Fundamentals of Kootaneeti: The Vedic Art of Strategic Living

By Mahesh Prabhu

Kootaneeti, the Vedic Art of Strategic Living, is a nearly lost Vedic art and science for leaders originally designed to promote the right use of power. For centuries, its teachings helped build sagely empires and create social wellbeing, prosperity and lasting peace. Kootaneeti focuses on how to use the intellect to convert difficulties into st

• Language: English
• Publisher: VIVASWAAN
• Release date: Jul 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798869116888

Mahesh Prabhu

Meet Udupi Mahesh Prabhu, an experienced consultant in media, management, and politics. He serves as the Founder and Chairman of Vedic Management Center and the Chair-Emeritus of Vedic Management Group LLC, a multi-million-dollar holding company based in Wyoming. In 2009, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, London (UK), and he is also a Certified Public Accountant in the USA. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business Administration.

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THE FUNDAMENTALS OF KOOTANEETI | Vedic Art of Strategic Living | A Time-tested and Timeless Vedic Knowledge Discipline for Leaders to Decisively Contain and Neutralize Extreme or Adverse Individuals as well as Situations | U. Mahesh Prabhu with David Frawley



 The Fundamentals of

KOOTANEETI

The Vedic Art of Strategic Living

A Time-tested and Timeless Vedic Knowledge Discipline for Leaders to Decisively Contain and Neutralize Extreme or Adverse Individuals as well as Situations.

U. Mahesh Prabhu

with David Frawley



Printed, Published & Distributed by

www.vivaswaan.com





Dedication

With reverence and respect to the unsung Rajagurus,[1] mentors to exceptional leaders and thinkers, custodians of great wisdom, who learned, taught, and transmitted the advanced knowledge of Kootaneeti, so rulers and leaders could find clarity amidst chaos, achieve prosperity by overcoming poverty, counter oppression by identifying the deserving, rewarding the helpful, and protecting the innocent by upholding the enduring principles of Dharma.





Table Of Contents

The EIGHT Fundamentals of KOOTANEETI

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 Actions, Reactions & Consequences

Chapter 2 Pleasure & Pain

Chapter 3 Nothing is Forever

Chapter 4 Promises & Honor

Chapter 5 Fear & Violence

Chapter 6 Calming the Mind

Chapter 7 Detachment & Observation

Chapter 8 Friends & Enemies

Conclusion

Index



The EIGHT Fundamentals of

KOOTANEETI

1.

All Actions have inevitable Consequences. Therefore, always think carefully and with regard for the future before you act today.

2.

That which brings Pleasure also brings eventual Pain. Therefore, do not attach yourself to any gains or rewards as final.

3.

Nothing is everlasting. Therefore, remain detached in times of great gain or loss and renounce pride.

4.

Avoid making promises, but when you do, make sure to fully honour them.

5.

If creating fear counters negative forces; then there is no need for overt violence.

6.

If you lose control of your Mind, you risk losing everything. Therefore, remain Calm under all circumstances, however adverse.

7.

Always observe people and circumstances carefully - they are susceptible to change and even contradictory behaviour.

8. There are neither permanent Enemies nor eternal Friends in life – therefore shun dislike, hatred, attachment, or dependency.



Preface

 By Dr David Frawley

(Acharya Vamadeva Shastri)

V

edic knowledge is best known for its traditions of Yoga and Vedanta, particularly its internal dimension and study of consciousness aiming at Self-realisation. Yet there are also many efforts to apply Vedic knowledge at a medical level for the health of body and mind, as with Asana-based Yoga and Ayurveda, and for promoting peace and prosperity in its social applications, and relative to all aspects of life. To truly understand Vedic knowledge, we must recognize that it provides us with the awareness, focus and determination, and the understanding of the principles of Karma and Dharma necessary to perform whatever actions we need to do in life in the highest possible manner.

Most important to note in this regard is that the same Vedic knowledge that helps us understand the complex workings of our own minds can help us understand the minds and behavior of others and better work with them, as we all share the same background human potential, urges and challenges. The same Vedic knowledge that helps us understand our own being can help us understand other people, our social interactions and the forces and events in the outer world on all levels. In fact, the Vedic view of society provides us with far greater insights into human nature and the nature of the universe than those of the social sciences, psychology, politics, or economics such as are taught and dominate the global discourse today.

Besides numerous texts on Yoga and Vedanta, there are many Vedic texts that deal with politics and diplomacy, economics and finances, laws, ethics and justice, social behavior, and right relationship, even the rules of war. Their teachings are also profound, detailed, relevant and adaptable to our lives and technology today. There are many Dharma Sutras specifically devoted to these topics since the most ancient times. Yet even within what are usually regarded as spiritual or Adhyatmic texts, notably the Vyasa’s Mahabharata and Valmiki’s Ramayana, can be found many teachings from familial, professional, and social issues extending unto the governing of nations and empires. Note specifically the Bhishma Parva and Shanti Parva of the Vyasa’s Mahabharata, which addresses the role of leaders and rulers and their rules of conduct.

Vedic teachings in general contain much secretive knowledge and wisdom on how to conduct our lives for our own good and the good of all in all domains of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, though it may not always be set forth these principles systematically. They may be taught through parables, stories, or the accounts of the lives of great kings and sages. Vedic society also honored wealth, prosperity, beauty, and abundance, such as we see in the same ancient literature, as well as historical records and archaeological remains. The relevant teachings and practices from this Vedic world view can be applied today in many beneficial ways.

My own work as a Vedic teacher over the last forty years has addressed the inner aspect of Vedic knowledge as Raja Yoga, Vedanta, and the quest for Self-realization. Yet I have also worked extensively with Ayurvedic medicine for body and mind and discussed historical and cultural issues on Vedic history. I have examined political, social, and educational issues, primarily relative to India, functioning also as a journalist with numerous books and articles and presentations on the social and mass media. Some of my readers, particularly in India, may know my work better in that role.

Kootaneeti: the Vedic Art of Strategic Living arises from the ongoing research and study of U Mahesh Prabhu, who has gone into great depth into these neglected aspects of the Vedic teachings relative to Dharma and Artha. He has traced their history and development and discussed their continuing relevance and the need for their revival in our difficult, changing, and conflict-ridden world today. In fact, he shows how the methods of Kootaneeti are yet more important, if not crucial today, for helping us overcome this current global crisis at both inner and outer levels.

The new emphasis on Chanakya a.k.a. Kautilya in India reflects a growing interest in the realms of Vedic diplomacy and strategy. It is part of a revived interest in India’s Kshatriya Dharma, its princely and warrior traditions, and the need to act with a clear strategy and sometimes with force to overcome opponents and promote a right and just rule of society. The idea of Vedic Management extending to business and political levels is also already well known and has been addressed in detail by Prabhu in his numerous books, articles, and courses on Vedic Management Center’s website[2].

Kootaneeti reflects Vedic teachings in the realm of leadership extending from business to political levels, from the individual to organizations and institutions to government levels that Prabhu has uncovered and commented on. It is not just based upon a single text but upon a way of applying these hidden aspects of Vedic wisdom that are mentioned in many contexts and unfolding accordingly a strategy for developing right action and interaction extending to the ideas, individuals, organizations, and institutions behind the social order and how to harmonize these.

Clearly today such a Dharmic way to approach leadership is essential, when good leaders are quite rare, and media manipulation is rampant. It requires that one understands how the mind works at both individual and collective levels. This Vedic understanding and discipline of the mind links together all Vedic approaches and is the necessary foundation for clear and right action in any field. Kootaneeti addresses this psychological dimension of strategic living according to Dharma as Prabhu has explained it. I have added some of my own views and explorations on the mind in this context.

In concluding, we hope that the reader gains new insights and a broader Vedic vision relative to principles and forces of leadership, along