THE BOOK
Executive Dharma: From Virtue to Value
Composed over 2,000 years ago by the sage Thiruvalluvar, the Thirukkural is one of the world's great works of ethical wisdom. This book selects seven of its 1,330 verses and builds a practical leadership framework around them — grounded in real boardroom case studies, not academic theory.
Prefer the full experience? Attendees of any Executive Dharma workshop receive a printed copy of this book at no extra cost.
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR
If you lead people, this book is for you
Leaders committed to lifelong learning, grounded in ethics and sustainability.
Readers curious about ancient wisdom, with no prior background required.
Anyone who has studied Thirukkural academically but wants a leadership application.
Young leaders looking to reconnect with the wisdom in their own cultural roots.
INSIDE THE BOOK
Seven Kurals. Four pillars. One framework.
Every one of the seven chapters follows the same 12-step structure — from the original Tamil verse to a practical self-assessment — so every idea becomes something you can act on.
THE SEVEN KURALS COVERED IN THE BOOK
One core principle, three pillars
CORE PRINCIPLE
Kural 39 — Virtue
“True happiness comes only from virtue; all other pleasures are external and unworthy of praise.”
PILLAR · CULTIVATE PERSONAL MASTERY
Kural 136 · Self-Discipline
“The fragrance of virtue lingers with those who live in harmony and moral conduct.”
Kural 126 · Mastery Over the Senses
“Like a tortoise withdrawing its limbs, restrain the five senses through unwavering focus.”
PILLAR · DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Kural 302 · Transcending Anger
“Nothing burns more fiercely than the fire of anger itself.”
Kural 108 · Gratitude & Forgiveness
“To forget kindness is a fault beyond measure; but to forget harm done, that is wisdom's true treasure.”
PILLAR · EMBRACE CONTINUOUS EVOLUTION
Kural 411 · Power of Listening
“Of all forms of wealth, the wealth of listening is the most superior.”
Kural 391 · Flawless Learning
“Learn thoroughly what is worth learning, and having learned, conduct yourself in accordance with it.”
SAMPLE EXCERPT — CHAPTER 2
Leading with Virtue
“True happiness comes only from virtue; all other pleasures are external and unworthy of praise.”
— Kural 39
What if everything you thought about success was incomplete? We live in a world that glorifies titles, wealth, and outward achievements. Yet Kural 39 delivers a powerful wake-up call: true fulfilment in leadership doesn't lie in status or material gain alone, but in living with virtue at the core.
Too often, leaders chase results at the cost of relationships and wellbeing — scaling the ladder of success, only to discover it was leaning against the wrong wall.
EVERY CHAPTER, A REAL BUSINESS CASE
The Toyota Lesson: Virtue in Action
While servicing his Toyota just before its warranty expired, a technician found a chassis component close to failing — with no outward signs of damage. Without being asked, he replaced it, and only mentioned it once the car was ready for collection.
That single act of unrequested honesty turned one customer into a loyal Toyota buyer for life. The book unpacks the personal values, culture, and incentives behind that one decision — and asks what it would take to build the same instinct into your own organisation.
One of many success & failure case studies paired with each of the seven Kurals in the book.
ENDORSEMENTS
What early readers are saying
“A rare book that makes ancient wisdom immediately usable for modern leaders. Every chapter closes with something you can act on today.”
“Praba and Vijay have done something remarkable — connected 2,000-year-old verses to boardroom decisions I recognise from my own career.”
“The self-assessment checklists alone are worth the read. This isn't a book you finish — it's one you keep returning to.”
WRITTEN BY
Dr. Prebagaran Jayaraman & Vijaykumar Rajagopal
A former Malaysian Armed Forces Major turned capability-building educator, and a Chemical Engineer turned executive coach at Shell and beyond — brought together by a shared passion for Thirukkural, first discovered at a leadership conference in Malaysia.
Meet the authors →