Governance with Human Values: Relevance of the Mahabharata’s Shanti Parva to Modern Leadership

Abstract

This article examines the key lessons from the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata and their relevance to contemporary leadership and governance. The Shanti Parva elaborates rajdharma—the duties of a ruler—emphasising fairness, integrity, and care for subjects. These teachings illustrate how leaders can effectively balance individual and collective interests. The article discusses leaders' responsibility towards both people and environment, advocating sustainable resource use and equitable distribution. It highlights ideal leadership qualities like compassion, courage, and wisdom, which align with modern leadership paradigms. By juxtaposing ancient wisdom with current challenges such as social justice, economic equity, and environmental protection, this paper illustrates how Shanti Parva's teachings can guide modern leaders. The paper concludes that these timeless principles remain crucial for ethical decision-making that benefits all stakeholders. This article provides a clear framework for integrating ancient governance wisdom with contemporary leadership practices to foster responsible, compassionate leadership for sustainable futures.