Infosys' Founder NR Narayana Murthy Shares Influence of Bhagavad Gita, Discloses Favorite Mahabharata Persona

NR Narayana Murthy Reveals Karna as His Favorite Mahabharata Character, Inspired by Bhagavad Gita

NR Narayana Murthy, the renowned founder and former chairman of Infosys, recently shared his profound inspiration drawn from the Bhagavad Gita and revealed his favorite character from the Indian epic Mahabharata.

Speaking at Moneycontrol's Startup Conclave 2023, Murthy expressed his admiration for the character of Karna, citing his generosity as the key factor that resonated with him. He attributed his own upbringing and values to Karna's exemplary display of selflessness.

Emulating Karna's Generosity in Wealth Distribution

During his speech, Murthy shed light on how he has sought to embody Karna's generous spirit in his own life, particularly in the realm of wealth distribution.

He emphasized the significance of fairness and inclusivity by recounting his experience of sharing the accumulated wealth from Infosys with his colleagues and other members of the organization.

Murthy expressed his satisfaction in witnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of those who viewed Infosys as their own, and he acknowledged the necessity of not reserving the majority share for himself.

Faith and Belief: Essential Elements in Entrepreneurship

Murthy also underlined the pivotal role of faith and belief in an entrepreneur's journey, drawing from his own experiences. He highlighted moments when it becomes imperative to transcend logic and embrace faith, asserting that such instances serve as catalysts for the fruition of one's beliefs.

Quoting from the Bhagavad Gita, he emphasized the principle of performing one's duties to the best of their abilities, while entrusting the rest to a higher power. Murthy encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to find solace and inspiration in this teaching.

Sudha Murty's Insights on Successful Men and Their Expectations

Sudha Murty, wife of NR Narayana Murthy, offered valuable insights into the challenges faced by successful men and their significant others. Describing successful men as "not normal" and eccentric, she distinguished their logical mindset at work from their behavior at home.

Sudha Murty expressed that successful men often have high expectations from their partners, seeking them to fulfill multiple roles such as wife, secretary, finance manager, nanny, and advisor.

She emphasized the significant impact that even a single failure in any of these roles can have on their well-being.

Navigating the Demands of Success in Relationships

With her vast experience, Sudha Murty shed light on the complexities of maintaining a relationship with a successful man. She underscored the multifaceted responsibilities that women often have to shoulder, balancing various roles simultaneously.

Sudha Murty empathized with the pressure women face, as any failure in meeting the expectations of their successful partners can profoundly affect them. Her insights offered a glimpse into the challenges and sacrifices that often accompany the pursuit of success in personal relationships.

Conclusion

NR Narayana Murthy, the visionary founder of Infosys, has revealed his deep inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita and his favorite character from the Mahabharata, Karna. Murthy's admiration for Karna stems from the character's generosity, which he considers a guiding principle in his own life.

He has strived to emulate Karna's selflessness by distributing the wealth accumulated from Infosys among his colleagues and other company members.

Murthy also emphasizes the significance of faith and belief in entrepreneurship, quoting the Bhagavad Gita to highlight the importance of performing duties to the best of one's abilities while entrusting the outcomes to a higher power.

Furthermore, Sudha Murty, Murthy's wife, provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by successful men and the expectations they place on their significant others.

She describes successful men as "not normal" and highlights their eccentricities and logical mindset at work. Sudha Murty emphasizes the multiple roles that women often have to fulfill, and the profound impact that any failure in meeting these expectations can have on their successful partners.

Overall, NR Narayana Murthy's reflections on the Bhagavad Gita, his admiration for Karna, and the insights shared by Sudha Murty offer a glimpse into the values, inspirations, and challenges that shape the lives of influential individuals.

Their experiences and perspectives provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and shed light on the complexities of balancing personal relationships with the pursuit of success.