Astabrata: Eight Leadership Principles Based on Nature Characteristics

Kakawin Ramayana is old Javanese poem, arranged based on Indian

Kakawin Ramayana is old Javanese poem of Ramayana story, arranged in 9th century based on Indian Vedic Literature. It tells that Sri Rama, the son of Dasaratha, teaches Astabrata principles to his younger brother, Bharata, who will be the King of Ayodya. Astabrata as leadership principles for the leader is symbolized in the characteristics of nature.

Leadership art of Astabrata is also mentioned in Serat Aji Pamasa (old literature for Javanese shadow play puppetry) by Raden Ngabehi Rangga Warsita, a Javanese poet (1802-1973). A leader must have understanding (ngerti), feeling or empathy (ngrasa), and implementation (nglakoni) of the eight characteristics of nature, called Astabrata. Asta means eight. Brata means characteristics, conducts, or principles. So, Astabrata means eight principles of leadership.

In Wayang (Indonesian shadow play with the theme based on Hindu epics), the leadership art of Astabrata was also taught to Gunawan Wibisono when he was crowned as Alenka King and to Arjuna when he tried to search the lost Crown of Rama (Makutharama).

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Before a leader led the others, he should have self-leadership. He should be able to deal with himself to build leader personality. The leadership principles of Astabrata consist of the characteristics of Earth, Sun, Moon, Stars, Fire, Wind, Sea, and Cloud/Rain.

Earth

Earth is unassailable, solid, resolute, and clear. Earth offers the wealth to all creatures on it. Earth does not discriminate. To perform the character of earth, a leader should be solid and create the friendly condition and situation where the others can stand and grow. He must be friendly without discrimination. He must give reward and award to the right people. He should share the abundance to the others. He must have perseverance and discipline to accomplish his tasks.

Sun

Sun is enlightening, warming, and giving the energy to dynamic life. Solar energy is the source of energy for all creatures in the earth. Like the sun, a leader must energize and enlighten the others. He must motivate, develop dynamic life, build people’s understanding, rekindle the people’s spirit and transfer the knowledge to the others. However, he should warm and friendly to others.

Moon

Moon is enlightening in the darkness. The blue corn moon is cool and not blinding. He should be the part of solution. He should give warmth and stay cool in bad condition. He must be able to become peace maker in the conflict. To be a leader, one should have art of listening and negotiation. Darkness symbolizes fear and ignorance. Like the moon shinning in the darkness, He should be able to overcome his fear and ignorance, and then help the other to do so. He smiles to his heart and others although he is in difficult time. He brings happiness when there is sadness. He brings hope when people are desperate and say to them and him, “You can make it.” He has knowledge and understanding so he can help to develop others’ understanding and knowledge.

Stars

In ancient ages, stars and their constellation are beautiful guides for the people to know the direction and season. People saw the position of stars constellation to decide the planting season. The stars are also used as a compass. Like the stars, a leader is a guide. He must be able to be a good model for others. Leader must be strong and consistent character instead of yes-man. He must be able to give guidance to the people. He should know the direction and the destination as well as set the goal first, then guide the others to the destination. A leader should have clear vision. He should make clear planning, clear standard, and goal-setting. He writes what he does and does what he writes. He says what he does and does what he says. He should have the dream to help others and realize his dream with awareness and wisdom.

Fire

Fire is burning. Leader should be able to burn the people’s spirit. He must be enthusiastic. He must be able to motivate the others to develop better condition. If necessary, a leader can burn the enemies. Without discrimination, he must do fair and disciplinary action to the guilty people. According to ancient belief, fire burns negative spirit and evil. That is way the hell is described as the place of fire to burn evil spirits. He must be able to cleanse the low-emotion or negative spirit within him first, and then cleanse the negative things in his environment without discrimination. He fixes the bad condition and cleans the corruption. He gives punishment and reward appropriately. When something wrong possibly happens, he investigates and fixes the problems.

Wind

Like the wind, a leader is always being with his people. He should become one with his people, know and understand his people, as well as give fresh wind to his people. He is gently and carefully monitoring his people deeds to make sure everything run well. The leader should do the monitoring without making the people stress because his people need the respect and space to grow. Wind is mobile. A leader must be mobile to monitor and to give assistance to those who needs help wherever they are.

Sea

Sea is open and wide. Sea receives water from so many rivers. To perform like the sea, a leader must be open-minded, patient, and relieved when dealing with many problems. He must have responsibility and peace-making ability. He responds the diversity of the people with awareness, open mind, positive perspective, patience, and understanding.

Cloud and Rain

Cloud protects everything behind it. Cloud and rain have element of water. People use water for drink and cleansing. In many religions, water is used as symbol in purification. Rain is a gift from Heaven for all creatures. A leader must cleanse himself and his environment. He must protect the people and give the priority to the people wealth. His attitude makes the people respect and love him. Rain is fair. A leader must be fair and just. He should enforce the justice for all.