Corporate Governance Lessons from an Odia School Prayer: Why Business Leaders Should Revisit “Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari”
Inspired by the timeless Odia prayer “Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari” composed by the eminent Odia poet Ramakrushna Nanda
In the modern corporate world, business leaders, boards of directors, regulators, investors, employees, and society at large increasingly emphasize the principles of Corporate Governance. Independence, Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, Sustainability, Ethical Conduct, Stakeholder Responsibility, and Long-Term Value Creation have become the cornerstones of modern business management. Companies invest significant resources in governance frameworks, compliance systems, risk management mechanisms, ESG initiatives, whistleblower policies, board evaluations, sustainability reporting, and ethical leadership programmes. Yet despite the existence of sophisticated regulations and governance structures, corporate failures continue to occur across the world.
This raises an important question. Can good governance be achieved merely through laws, regulations, and compliance checklists? Or does sustainable governance require something deeper—an ethical foundation rooted in character, values, and personal integrity?
Surprisingly, one of the most powerful answers to this question may be found not in a corporate governance handbook, a management textbook, or a regulatory framework, but in a simple Odia school prayer sung by generations of students in Odisha—“Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari.”
Composed by the distinguished Odia poet Ramakrushna Nanda, this prayer has been recited by millions of schoolchildren for decades. While it appears to be a devotional hymn addressed to the Almighty, a closer examination reveals that it is, in fact, a remarkable guide to ethical leadership, responsible citizenship, moral courage, social responsibility, and good governance.
Long before terms such as ESG, Sustainability, Corporate Citizenship, Stakeholder Capitalism, Responsible Business Conduct, Ethical Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, and Corporate Social Responsibility became part of management vocabulary, this prayer articulated the very principles upon which sustainable institutions are built.
The prayer begins with profound humility:
“ଆହେ ଦୟାମୟ ବିଶ୍ୱବିହାରୀ
ଘେଣ ଦୟାବହି ମୋର ଗୁହାରୀ“
“O Compassionate Lord who pervades the entire universe, please accept my humble prayer.”
The devotee approaches the Divine not with demands, entitlement, authority, or arrogance. Instead, he approaches with humility and self-awareness. This is the first lesson of leadership.
Many organizations fail not because of external competition but because leaders become isolated from reality. When success creates arrogance, organizations stop listening. They ignore warning signs, dismiss criticism, and overestimate their own capabilities. The prayer reminds us that every meaningful journey begins with humility rather than authority. Effective governance requires leaders who are willing to listen, learn, question, and continuously improve.
The second stanza expands the perspective of the individual beyond personal interests:
“ଜଳ ସ୍ଥଳ ବନ ଗିରି ଆକାଶ
ତୁମ ଲୀଳା ସବୁଠାରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ“
“In water, land, forests, mountains and the sky, Your presence is revealed everywhere.”
At first glance, this appears to be a purely spiritual statement. However, in today’s business environment, it carries a profound sustainability message. The poet recognizes that human existence is interconnected with nature and society. Modern corporations are increasingly expected to consider their impact on the environment, natural resources, communities, and future generations.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles essentially require organizations to recognize this interconnectedness. Sustainable business is not merely about profitability; it is about creating value without destroying the ecosystem that supports economic activity. The prayer therefore anticipates modern sustainability thinking by encouraging respect for the larger world beyond oneself.
The next stanza contains perhaps one of the most important governance principles:
“ତୁମେ ଶୁଭ ବୁଦ୍ଧି ପରା ଶିଖାଅ
ମୋତେ ଭଲ ବାଟ ପରା ଦେଖାଅ“
“Teach me noble wisdom and show me the right path.”
Remarkably, the poet does not ask for wealth, success, influence, power, or victory. He asks for wisdom.
This distinction is crucial. Corporate scandals rarely occur because leaders lack intelligence. Many governance failures have involved highly educated, experienced, and capable individuals. The problem was not the absence of knowledge; it was the absence of ethical judgment.
Boards often spend considerable time discussing strategy, growth, market expansion, acquisitions, and financial performance. Yet the long-term sustainability of an organization depends not merely on intelligence but on the wisdom to distinguish between what is profitable and what is right.
Good governance therefore begins with good judgment. The prayer reminds leaders that wisdom is more valuable than success because wise decisions create sustainable success, whereas success without wisdom often leads to failure.
The poet then turns his attention towards work and purpose:
“ମୋର କାମକୁ କରାଅ ସରସ
ମୋର ମୁଖେ ଦିଅ ଚିର ହରଷ“
“Make my work meaningful and pleasant; keep joy and positivity on my face.”
This reflects a powerful principle of modern organizational culture. Work should not merely generate income; it should create value. Employees increasingly seek purpose, meaning, and fulfilment in their professional lives.
Organizations that inspire people through purpose often outperform organizations that rely solely on financial incentives. The prayer encourages individuals to view work not merely as a means of earning a livelihood but as an opportunity to contribute positively to society.
This is the essence of servant leadership and purpose-driven organizations.
The next stanza contains an important warning:
“ମୋତେ ଖଳ ଅଳସୁଆ ନିକଟେ
ନିଅ ନାହିଁ ସୁଖେ ଅବା ସଙ୍କଟେ“
“Keep me away from evil and lazy people, whether in comfort or adversity.”
The poet recognizes that character is influenced by association. Human beings are shaped by the people with whom they spend their time.
In the corporate context, this principle is reflected in governance mechanisms relating to ethical culture, tone at the top, conflicts of interest, independence, and organizational values. Many corporate failures have occurred because capable individuals became influenced by unethical cultures or compromised their values under pressure.
Interestingly, the poet asks for protection not only during difficult times but also during periods of comfort and prosperity. History repeatedly demonstrates that organizations often fail not during crises but during success, when complacency and overconfidence replace vigilance.
The prayer then moves beyond personal development to social responsibility:
“ଦୁଃଖୀ ଅରକ୍ଷିତ ସେବା କାରଣେ
ବଳ ଦିଅ ମୋର କର ଚରଣେ“
“Give strength to my hands to serve the poor and unprotected.”
This is perhaps one of the most powerful lines in the entire prayer.
The poet does not merely seek personal growth; he seeks the ability to serve others. Modern businesses call this Corporate Social Responsibility, Stakeholder Engagement, Social Impact, Sustainability, Community Development, and Inclusive Growth.
The prayer calls it service.
There is an important distinction. Compliance may mandate spending. Values inspire commitment. True corporate citizenship emerges when organizations view themselves as contributors to society rather than merely generators of profit.
This line reminds leaders that business success and social responsibility need not be competing objectives. Sustainable organizations understand that creating value for society ultimately creates value for business.
The prayer then addresses resilience and courage:
“ତୁମ ଚରଣରେ ମୋର ଭକତି
ଦିଅ ବିପଦେ ସାହସ ଶକତି“
“Grant me devotion and give me courage during adversity.”
Leadership is often tested not during periods of stability but during periods of uncertainty. Economic downturns, regulatory challenges, technological disruptions, reputational crises, and market volatility require resilience.
The poet recognizes that courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to remain committed to values despite fear.
Strong governance requires leaders who possess the courage to make difficult decisions, address uncomfortable truths, and protect long-term interests even when short-term pressures suggest otherwise.
The next two stanzas address integrity and independence:
“କୁଟ କପଟ ସ୍ୱଭାବ ଯାହାର
ତାଙ୍କୁ ଦୂରୁ ମୁଁ କରଇ ଜୁହାର“
“ମୋତେ ନମିଶାଅ ତାଙ୍କ ସାଥିରେ
ସଦା ରଖ ସାଧୁଜନ କତିରେ“
“I respectfully keep distance from those whose nature is deceit and hypocrisy. Keep me always in the company of the virtuous.”
This is an extraordinary governance principle.
The poet does not advocate hatred, revenge, or conflict. Instead, he seeks independence from unethical influences. This mirrors the purpose behind independent directors, audit committees, governance frameworks, and conflict-of-interest regulations.
Integrity often requires maintaining professional distance from influences that compromise objectivity and judgment.
Chanakya similarly observed that an individual’s future is largely determined by the company he keeps. The prayer therefore reinforces the importance of surrounding oneself with ethical people and creating organizational cultures that reward integrity.
The poet then identifies the true ornaments of leadership:
“ଦୟା ବିନୟ ହେଉ ମୋ ଭୂଷଣ
କାହା ମନେ ନ ଦିଏ ମୁଁ କଷଣ“
“Let compassion and humility be my ornaments; may I never cause pain to anyone.”
In a world where leadership is often measured by power, wealth, titles, and influence, the prayer presents an alternative standard.
The greatest leaders are remembered not for what they accumulated but for how they treated people.
Modern leadership theories increasingly emphasize empathy, emotional intelligence, inclusiveness, respect, and human-centered management. The poet expressed these principles long before they became management concepts.
Perhaps the most powerful governance lesson appears in the next stanza:
“ସତ କହିବାକୁ କିଆଁ ଡରିବି
ସତ କହି ପଛେ ମଲେ ମରିବି“
“Why should I fear speaking the truth? Even if truth costs me my life.”
This is the moral climax of the prayer.
Every corporate governance framework, whistleblower mechanism, statutory audit process, internal audit review, compliance certification, disclosure requirement, and ethical reporting system ultimately rests upon one principle: truth.
Organizations fail when truth is suppressed.
Markets fail when truth is hidden.
Governance fails when truth becomes negotiable.
The poet elevates truth above personal gain, convenience, safety, popularity, and self-interest. He teaches that integrity requires courage and that truth must be upheld regardless of consequences.
For company directors, company secretaries, auditors, compliance officers, regulators, and business leaders, this stanza represents the very foundation of accountability and transparency.
The prayer concludes with a remarkable declaration:
“ମୋତେ ଏତିକି ଶିଖାଅ ସାଇଁ ହେ
ମୋର ଧନ ଜନ ଲୋଡ଼ା ନାହିଁ ହେ“
“Teach me only this much, O Lord; I seek neither wealth nor followers.”
In essence, “Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari” is not merely a devotional hymn. It is a leadership framework. It is a governance manual. It is a charter of ethical conduct. It is a lesson in sustainability, accountability, transparency, independence, stakeholder responsibility, and moral courage.
Business schools teach strategy. Regulators enforce compliance. Boards oversee performance. But this simple Odia school prayer teaches something even more fundamental the kind of person a leader must become before governance can truly succeed.
As organizations across the world continue searching for stronger governance models, ethical leadership practices, and sustainable business frameworks, they may find that many of the answers already exist in timeless wisdom passed down through culture, education, and values.
Perhaps that is why generations of students in Odisha began their day with this prayer. It was never merely a song.
It was a lesson in leadership.It was a lesson in governance. It was a lesson in life.
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