BHAGWAN RAM WAS EPITOME OF MILITARY LEADERSHIP

The whole of ‘Bharat’ and Sanatan followers all across the globe are chanting “Jai Shree Ram” as we are approaching the consecration of Bhagwan Shree Ram at Ayodhya, on 22 Jan 2023. Shree Ram has been an ideal incarnation of God. After thousands of years, he is still worshipped and idolized as an ideal son, brother, husband, ruler and also a great military leader. Everybody looks at Ramayan from his own angle and derives own lessons to emulate in life. The Indian epic tale of Ramayana has innumerable lessons to teach; it has leadership, entrepreneurship, governance, philosophy, spiritual significance and management. From a soldier’s perspective, I have tried to find some very good lessons which our military leaders across the globe can imbibe and practice in war.

WAR LESSONS

Justification For War
Shree Ram is considered as the epitome of dharma and righteous conduct. Ravan was very learned person and strong but he lacked character and justification to fight the war and hence lost it. That’s why Ramayan is called the victory of GOOD over the EVIL. Ramayan teaches us that the one fighting the ‘Just War’, finally, wins.

Never Underestimate Your Enemy
Ravan was very powerful and hence he became egoistic and arrogant. He underestimated the might of his opponent, Shree Ram and finally lost the epic battle. Thousands of years later, similar views were echoed by Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu in his famous book ‘The Art of War’

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Take Time to Prepare and Train
Shree Ram was very furious and stressed when Sita ji was abducted by Ravan but yet he did not take any hasty decision. He kept patience (“Dheeraj dhareu kuavsar jani”) in the adverse situation and prepared well for the war before launching the attack. He arranged adequate resources for the war, trained his Army well and built adequate infrastructure, to ensure success. Taking lessons from Ramayan, Bangladesh War (1971) was an ideal campaign by Indian Armed Forces, which was well planned and executed to perfection.

‘Recce By Force’ is Essential
It’s an apt saying in military parlance that ‘Time spent on Reconnaissance is not wasted’. Ramayan provided an outstanding example of ‘Reconnaissance in Force’ when Shree Ram launched Hanuman, his most trusted and powerful aide (Force) to go to Lanka and carry out Reconnaissance. Hanuman ji provoked Ravan Sena to catch him and resultantly, he ran around the entire Lanka to know the target area in detail. Destruction of Lankan resources in a pre-emptive strike by putting the Lanka to flames was ‘aim plus’, which was well achieved. Use Local Resources Shree Ram made excellent use of local resources. He created an army of local tribals (vanaras). The local tribals were well aware of ground, routes and art of jungle warfare. They could survive off the land and did not require a long logistics tail. He also created war infrastructure like ‘Ram Setu’ – a land bridge up-to Lanka using locally available floating coral reefs. Usage of the available local resources efficiently, is important military lesson from Ramayan.

Use Local Resources
Shree Ram made excellent use of local resources. He created an army of local tribals (vanaras). The local tribals were well aware of ground, routes and art of jungle warfare. They could survive off the land and did not require a long logistics tail. He also created war infrastructure like ‘Ram Setu’ – a land bridge up-to Lanka using locally available floating coral reefs. Usage of the available local resources efficiently, is important military lesson from Ramayan.

Leadership and Team work
Bhagwan Ram was a perfect military leader. He was a charismatic leader who believed in team work, empowerment of field commanders and delegation of responsibilities. His military Leadership was all about impact, influence, and inspiration, He made his team part of the decision-making process and delegated powers to act independently when required.

Respect The Enemy
With Ravana’s death at his hands imminent, Ram had no animosity left for him. After Ravan was defeated and he was lying injured, in the battlefield, Shree Ram sent his brother Laxman to meet Ravan and gain some knowledge about statecraft and spirituality. Following the ethos of Shree Ram, Indian Army treated the Pak POWs from Bangladesh with equal dignity and gave them all facilities as per Geneva convention.

Be Friendly Power (Geopolitics)
Shree Ram never included the captured Lankan territory into his kingdom. He installed a popular Government under the local leader- Vibhishan. Similarly, in 1971, India liberated Bangla Desh but did not make it a part of India but installed a popular Govt under Sheikh Mujib, respecting the ethos enshrined in Ramayan.

CONCLUSION
Indians have idealized Shree Ram as incarnation of God for many centuries now. The teachings and practices of Shree Ram are etched in the hearts and minds of all Indians. Amongst many deeds of greatness, Shree Ram will also be remembered as a great Commander of forces. Even after centuries, he is still the most respected military leader, whom each one of us would love to emulate.

JAI SHREE RAM!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Maj Gen CP Singh (Retd) The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs)