At Bṛhat, while we take on the ambition of designing the self-perpetuating civilizational moment, we are humbly mindful that our ācāra-vyavahāra must be refined. The values an organization imbibes define its character; and on matters of value and ethic, our tradition has much to offer - a single chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā lists 26 virtues, for example. Our values are thus a minimum benchmark, a threshold we profess to keep sacred as individuals and organization even as we strive for more.

1 - Satya (Truth)

Articulation of truth should be kind. Our fundamental identity is a sincere pursuit of truth, and the ability to live that with kindness. There are facts, and there is truth. Facts are true when transposed via kindness, and one must cultivate the ability to discern this.

सत्यं ब्रूयात्प्रियं ब्रूयान्न ब्रूयात्सत्यमप्रियम्।
प्रियं च नाऽनृतं ब्रूयादेष धर्मः सनातन:॥

One should speak the truth, and one should speak it pleasantly. But one should not speak the truth if it is unpleasant. And one should not speak what is pleasant if it is untrue. This is the eternal dharma.

2 - Saundarya and Samavāya (Beauty and Harmony)

Whatever we do, there will be emphasis on beauty and harmony - these are complementary. There will be beauty in our living, in our research, in our writing. Whatever processes that Bṛhat wants to design into the civilizational moment need aim for these.

रूपयौवनसंपन्ना विशाल कुलसम्भवाः।
विद्याहीना न शोभन्ते निर्गन्धा इव किंशुकाः॥

Though one be endowed with beauty and youth and born in noble families, yet without education they are like the Palasa flower which is void of sweet fragrance.

संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वम् । सं वो मनांसि जानताम्।
देवा भागं यथा पूर्वे । संजानाना उपासत इति ।

Walk together, speak together,
Let your minds understand alike.
Just as in the ancient times, the gods,
in harmony, accepted their share of offerings.

3 - Vyaṣṭi and Samaṣṭi (Individual and Collective)

We understand linkages between things and how they group up. Bṛhat will grow by an ability to integrate. None of us as individuals are better than all of us, and the collective output will be larger than the sum of us. A civilizational mahāvākya leads us here.

यथा पिण्डे तथा ब्रह्माण्डे। यथा ब्रह्माण्डे तथा पिण्डे॥

As in the microcosm, so in the macrocosm; as in the macrocosm, so in the microcosm.

4 - Prajñā and Viveka (Wisdom and Discernment)

To deliberate upon and cultivate excellence actively is a given at Bṛhat, but what informs our discernment? How and when do we say yes or no to a project, a person, a plan? When and where do we say this? An ability to emphasise on discernment is the key to our fourth cornerstone. A differentiated, contextual and sustainable framework based on dharma will be our solution.

सर्वं तत्प्रज्ञानेत्रं प्रज्ञाने प्रतिष्ठितं प्रज्ञानेत्रो लोकः प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठा प्रज्ञानं ब्रह्म ॥

All that exists is guided, sustained, and illuminated by wisdom. Wisdom is the inner eye of the world, its foundation and essence. That supreme, pure wisdom — beyond all forms and names — is Brahman, the ultimate reality.

ते धन्यास्ते विवेकज्ञास्ते सभ्या इह भूतले।
आगच्छन्ति गृहं येषां कार्यार्थं सुहृदो जनाः॥

Blessed are they, the wise and noble ones on this earth,
To whose homes come friends, seeking purpose and truth.