Anupam Pattanayak’s The Dharma Code: Ancient Ethics, Modern Boardrooms
Anupam Pattanayak’s The Dharma Code: Ancient Ethics, Modern Boardrooms arrives at a moment when the corporate world is grappling with profound ethical and cultural crises. Scandals around governance, misuse of power, and the prioritization of short-term profits over long-term sustainability have shaken trust in boardrooms worldwide. Into this environment, Pattanayak—armed with decades of global corporate and entrepreneurial experience—offers a book that feels both timely and timeless. By drawing from the moral and philosophical framework of the Mahabharata, he manages to bring a sense of depth and universality to corporate dilemmas, reframing the boardroom not as a place merely for profit-driven decision-making but as a modern-day Kurukshetra where battles of conscience, integrity, and responsibility must be fought.
What makes The Dharma Code stand out is its ability to blend ancient Indian wisdom with practical, modern frameworks without falling into abstraction or preachiness. Pattanayak understands the skepticism that many professionals may harbor toward philosophy, especially when applied to fast-moving corporate contexts. To overcome this, he structures the book with clarity, offering tools like the Dharma Compass and the Ethical Decision Matrix that provide structured, step-by-step ways to evaluate and resolve complex dilemmas. These frameworks act as bridges between timeless philosophical principles and the pressing issues CEOs, board members, and managers face daily. Whether the issue at hand is whistleblower protection, shareholder conflict, or succession planning, the book provides a way to root decisions in a broader sense of duty rather than mere expediency.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its narrative style. Instead of presenting dry theory, Pattanayak uses the characters of the Mahabharata as archetypes for corporate leadership. Krishna, for example, emerges as the strategist par excellence, demonstrating the necessity of diplomacy, foresight, and persuasion. Yudhishthira, with his unyielding adherence to truth and integrity, becomes a lens through which to examine ethical decision-making even in difficult circumstances. Figures like Karna and Bhishma provide additional layers of nuance—reminding leaders of the dangers of loyalty taken too far or the cost of silence in the face of injustice. By weaving these epic figures into corporate contexts, Pattanayak not only makes the Mahabharata accessible to global readers unfamiliar with Indian texts but also demonstrates its universality. The dilemmas of the ancient battlefield, he convincingly argues, are not far removed from those of the boardroom—they simply take different forms.
The book is also enriched by the author’s vast professional experience. Pattanayak is not writing as an armchair philosopher; he has been in the thick of corporate transformations, entrepreneurial ventures, and high-stakes decision-making for decades. His anecdotes and insights reflect the lived reality of leadership at the highest levels, making the book credible and practical. His ability to translate Indian philosophical concepts into actionable strategies is particularly noteworthy. Instead of positioning ethics as a constraint, he redefines it as a strategic advantage. Organizations that align profit with purpose, he argues, are not only more sustainable but also more resilient and respected in the long run. In an era where ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics are becoming increasingly important, this message resonates deeply.
Another strength of The Dharma Code lies in its accessibility. Pattanayak writes for a diverse audience—CEOs, board members, CSR leaders, students of management, and even general readers interested in philosophy and leadership. He avoids jargon, explains Indian concepts in ways that non-Indian readers can understand, and provides a helpful glossary to aid comprehension. The inclusion of reflection prompts at the end of chapters encourages readers to actively engage with the material rather than passively consume it, making the book as much a personal guide as a professional manual. The visual tools, diagrams, and case studies further enhance clarity, ensuring that the book is not only intellectually stimulating but also easy to navigate.
What also becomes apparent as one reads is the author’s sincerity. This is not a book written for quick commercial gain or as a superficial repackaging of ancient wisdom. Rather, it reflects a lifelong passion for philosophy and a genuine belief that leadership needs a moral compass rooted in something deeper than market metrics. Pattanayak’s voice carries conviction, making the reader trust that his ideas are not only theoretically sound but also tested in practice. His blending of the spiritual with the practical never feels forced; instead, it emerges organically from his dual identity as a corporate leader and a student of Indian philosophy.
Of course, the book’s uniqueness is also what may challenge certain readers. Those expecting a purely Western model of leadership might initially find the reliance on the Mahabharata unfamiliar. However, Pattanayak anticipates this hesitation by carefully contextualizing the stories and showing their relevance across cultures. By presenting the Mahabharata not as a religious text but as a universal epic of human choices, he sidesteps dogma and instead highlights its applicability to anyone facing moral dilemmas. In this way, The Dharma Code manages to be deeply rooted in Indian tradition while remaining globally relevant.
As a contribution to leadership literature, this book carves out a space that very few have attempted with such rigor and clarity. It challenges the notion that ethics and profitability are opposing forces, showing instead how they can complement and strengthen each other. In a corporate world often driven by short-term thinking, Pattanayak’s emphasis on dharma—as duty, responsibility, and alignment with higher principles—offers a refreshing counterpoint. His message is clear: true leadership is not about domination or self-interest, but about stewardship, accountability, and service to a larger purpose.
In the end, The Dharma Code: Ancient Ethics, Modern Boardrooms is more than just a book on corporate governance; it is a call to rethink what it means to lead in the modern age. By fusing ancient wisdom with practical tools, Anupam Pattanayak equips leaders not just to succeed, but to lead with integrity, courage, and clarity. It is a book that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the weight of decision-making in a position of responsibility, and it leaves readers with a sense that leadership, at its best, is not about personal gain but about fulfilling one’s dharma.
