How Ancient Wisdom Guides Corporate Governance

This paper provides some selected codes of conduct from the Laws of Manu that relate to management, particularly its corporate governance function. The Laws of Manu or the Manu’s Code is the most ancient legal code of human behavior that is still so widely practiced in many parts of the world. For the sake of authenticity, these sections are reproduced in Sanskrit from the original manuscript and then interpreted based on the four comprehensive works of the last three centuries, for the use of the scholars and managers of organizations. After providing relevance to the contemporary management functions, the sections of the Manu’s Code included in this work covers codes on treating the superiors; respecting the scholars; picking motivators based on desire or obligations; making an honest living; wealth and welfare; keeping the earth clean; gifting; autonomy and intrinsic motivation; structuring a council of advisors; appointing an assembly; qualifications of envoys; selecting and accomplishing popular goals; setting wages; taxes, and duties; conducting diplomacy and war including what to do on winning; and property rights and wealth. I also discuss some of the controversial issues pertaining to the Manu’s Code and suggest further research for the interested scholars.