Of the eighty titles proffered by the author, the publisher chose Management Mantras, and it is certain there could not have been a more striking one among the rest. Both Management and Mantra are part of the global discourse and their combination is irresistible for the reader. Management has always been at the back of civilization and our great epics teach us through their storylines how one can manage or mismanage a situation. Sri Ramaratnam has scoured our classics for apt quotes to prove his points whether it is to press forward for success and profits or take lightning-decisions to impose remedial measures. In short, a good manager has to keep himself in a state of readiness all the time. Studying in a leading Management institution is not enough. Experience is the best teacher and an observant manager rakes in plenty of wisdom that way.

The author points out how human resource management is the real challenge. If one achieves success in this area, there is no stopping him from reaching the heights of success. But the power thus gained should be handled carefully and we get to know why the text is peppered with Sanskrit quotes:

Power is a double-sedged sword. It has to be handled carefully. It is in this respect that literature comes very handy. It teaches us how to handle power without injuring others and without hurting oneself. One should function with an accent on dharma, without fear or favour, without pride or prejudice. (p. 5)

Dharma is the key word. But dharma is subtle, says Bhishma in the Mahabharata. How does one arrive at the right decision in times of dharma-sankata? Sri Ramaratnam goes to Sanskrit sources like Arthasastra and Kiratarjuniya; reading in the light he shows, we see new significances in the familiar similes. Megha’s Sisupalavadha yield a fine image which we would do well to carry with us even in our daily lives: "Those who constantly lie on the bedstead of firm will, upholstered with sound reasoning, never know what fatigue is."

Chapters on communication skills, centres of power, leadership, team building and organisational behaviour get good placements in the book with the help of Sanskrit literature. We come last to the author’s TQM (Total Quality Management) which gives important guidelines drawing pointers from Edwards Deming. The East and the West yield integral wisdom for healthy management of any given situation under the watched pen of the author that makes Management Mantras a focal contribution for organisational studies today.

Management Mantras by s. Ramaratnam attempts to bring out the depth of secular wisdom embedded in our ancient Vedic and Classical Sanskrit literature. The book touches on all aspects of management like Decision Making. Human Resource Development, Organizational Behaviour and Social Responsibility in twelve chapters. The relevance of Arthashastra remains well documented in management thought even today but the other quotations from Vedic and Classical literature regarding managerial science or practice is the highlight of this book.