Lesson 31 – Knowledge Management
- Devaki R Menon
- Aug 16
- 2 min read
Knowledge sharing is the activity of exchanging knowledge among people, families, communities, and organizations. In the modern corporate world, organizations recognize that knowledge is a valuable and intangible asset—critical for creating and sustaining a competitive advantage.
In the Ramayana, Maharshi Valmiki composed the life story of Lord Rama and sought someone who could carry it to the entire world. At that time, Sita was residing in his Ashram with her two children, Lava and Kusha. Valmiki identified them as the ideal messengers for this sacred epic.
He first imparted the Ramayana to these two young disciples, who were not only quick learners with exceptional memory but also eager to master it. Above all, they were Rama’s own sons. Valmiki’s decision was strategic—his selection of the right candidates ensured that the Ramayana reached the hearts of the common people.
Wherever Lava and Kusha went, their recitation inspired audiences and preserved the wisdom of the epic. This highlights a vital principle: choosing the right people to pass on knowledge is as important as the knowledge itself.
It is also believed that during Rama’s exile, he met Valmiki and shared experiences, which the sage documented as a well-structured case study for society—capturing values and life lessons in 24,000 Shlokas across 7 Kandas. This timeless documentation has been preserved, reprinted, and translated into countless languages, making it a living repository of wisdom.
In organizations, this mirrors the essence of knowledge management—the practice of capturing, organizing, and making information accessible for future use. Just like Valmiki’s meticulous documentation ensured the Ramayana’s survival, companies must record and transfer knowledge systematically to empower current and future teams.
Conclusion to the Series
Maharshi Valmiki, revered as the Adikavi (first poet) of the great Indian epic, lived around the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. Reading the Ramayana is an enriching experience for people of all ages. Its captivating stories and moral lessons not only inspire but also shape character.
In Kerala, the month of Karkidaka—also known as Ramayana Masam—is dedicated to reading and listening to this epic. Ancient belief holds that whoever engages with this sacred text, written first by Valmiki and endowed with righteousness, will be blessed with relief from misfortune, fame, longevity, and success.
Historically, Karkidaka coincided with the monsoon’s peak, when heavy rains would disrupt life. Communities turned to Ramayana recitations as a way to strengthen faith, hope, and resilience during difficult times.
For entrepreneurs and business enterprises, the Ramayana offers more than spiritual guidance—it is a blueprint for leadership, crisis management, strategic decision-making, and organizational values. Just as Valmiki ensured his work was preserved for generations, leaders must build systems for knowledge capture, transfer, and preservation. Knowledge, when shared effectively, becomes a multiplier of innovation, problem-solving, and competitive advantage.
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