Leadership: A Duty, Not a Throne
In today’s world, we often mistake titles for true leadership. A designation, a corner office, or a nameplate on the door can make someone appear to be a leader. But real leadership has never been about the position—it is about the responsibility one carries, whether acknowledged by the world or not. Indian philosophical tradition has always understood this deeply. Leadership, in our scriptures, is inseparable from dharma—the sense of righteous duty that one performs without attachment to power, fame, or reward. The clearest expression of this comes from the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna instructs Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna, a peerless warrior and prince, is overwhelmed and wants to abandon his role. Krishna does not remind him of his royal status or his command over armies. Instead, He speaks of responsibility: *”Sva-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah”* (It is better to die doing one’s own duty; the duty of another brings danger.)-Bhagavad Gita 3.35 An...