CSR and Indian Wisdom

CSR (Corporate Social responsibility) is a popular term in the contemporary management literature, understood largely as a typically western concept based on western values. But it is neither a western concept nor a product of western values. Yes, the acronym CSR is a coinage of the western management thinkers. However, the practice is essentially rooted in the Indian value system and references to it can be found in Vedic literature. The only difference being that in vedas it is linked to dharma and encompasses the social responsibility of both individuals as well as the businesses under its fold. And rightly so, because separating individual social responsibility from the social responsibility of business cannot make CSR work. Thus CSR is nothing but an attempt by business to uphold the path of Dharma. Ancient Hindu philosophy has given the concept of the four Purusharthas, the basic objectives of human life – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. CSR is a manifestation of Dharma, the duty of human beings towards the society.

In the beginning of Satyuga, the first era according to ancient Indian philosophy, there was neither king nor kingdom nor state. It was self sustained and self governed society where the people lived according to the tenets of Dharma. With time, decline set in and anarchy started growing with greed and possessiveness becoming prevalent social ways. It was then that the gods went to Brahma, the creator, to bring the society out of the morass of valuelessness. Brahma, then, wrote the Nitishastra (the book of knowledge) which laid down the laws of living, mentioning Dharma, Artha and Kama as the cardinal values. Owing to these three subjects this book was also called ‘trivarga’.

The Vedanta Philosophy also recognizes the concept of trivarga, the triple set which always have to go together to ensure the happiness of all. The objectives of Dharma, Artha and Kama are to lead the society to material progress, cultural development and general welfare of its diverse population. The roots of CSR can be traced to the concept of this trivarga. CSR can also be seen as an extension of the ancient tradition of ‘Daan’ (charity) which has been the corner stone of social concern for Indian society down the ages. Famous names like Raja Bali in Satyuga and Danveer Karna in Dwapar yuga show us the importance of philanthropy in ancient Indian thought. They also tell us that philanthropic leanings of people like Bill Gates or Warren Buffet from the West had been a part of the Indian ethos long ago.

In the Rig-Veda, the ancient Hindu scripture, there was a mention of the need for the wealthy to plant trees and build tanks for the community as it would bring them glory in life and beyond. Veda emphasizes that the continuous flow of money to the people who need it is more important than its accumulation, and creating wealth for the welfare of the society is one of the important responsibilities of the business enterprise. Atharva Veda says that one should procure wealth with one hundred hands and distribute it with one thousand hands. The Yajurveda says that enjoy riches with detachment, do not cling them because the riches belong to the public, it is not yours alone. The wealth thus should be used for social good. CSR then is nothing new.