Giving advice is an integral part of our profession. For that matter, every person, whether a professional or not, has to act as a consultant in some way or other. As a brother, sister, parent, friend, teacher, elderly person, colleague and so on, everyone gives some kind of advice to others.
The ‘title’ above is picked from the greatest advice ever given by anybody in human history – the Shreemad Bhagawad Geeta. As you know, the Bhagawad Geeta is the advice given by Lord Shreekrishna to his favourite and most intelligent disciple, Arjun. It contains 700 shlokas (rhymes) full of philosophy and guidance useful for day-to-day life. Its supremacy in philosophical literature has been recognised by renowned scholars of all countries and religions. It is our true Indian philosophy not restricted to any religion as such.
What is the implication of this – ‘Do as you wish’? This is the 63rd shloka from the concluding, 18th Chapter of the Geeta. Bhagwaan says:
‘(Arjun), thus, I have narrated to you the full knowledge which is the secret of all secrets (deepest knowledge). After listening to all this and thinking over it, Do as you wish!’
Friends, this apparently simple sentence has a great message and teaching for all of us – not only for CAs but for everyone. In fact, this has been the guiding principle for me in not only the 40 years of my professional life, but in my personal life as well. It is capable of giving great peace of mind to us.
What is so great about it? Remember, it has been said by none other than Bhagwaan Shreekrishna whose preachings are considered to be impeccable and irrefutable. The philosophy is told on a battle-field. It symbolises our life which is a constant battle – between two thoughts, good versus evil. Yet, Bhagwaan is not over-insistent on what HE advised. He has no ego. He does not make it a prestige issue. He doesn’t sit on Arjun’s head and say that he should act only according to His advice. In fact, the greater the insistence, the more the resistance. He leaves it to Arjun’s discretion.
As against this, many of us are very possessive about our views. We feel that what we think is the only ultimate truth and that it is the only correct view.
Be it in a family, in office, in institutions or in social groups, everybody puts across his views vehemently on practically every subject ranging from politics, economics, cricket, Covid, interpretation of laws, etc., to social issues… I have seen CAs trying to prevail on their clients and imposing their advice on them.
This is one of the main reasons for disputes and misgivings. One has to understand one’s role. If one is an adviser or consultant and not the decision maker, one needs to stop at a certain stage. Try to express one’s honest views, explain with examples, put them in writing, wherever required, argue with an open mind, explain the consequences if one’s views are not accepted, point out that the advice is in the listener’s interest, but leave the decision to the other person. Just say, ‘I have explained my views. Now it is up to you to decide and act. If anything goes wrong, please don’t blame me’ and then see the results. This has a better impact!
Needless to say, when you know that the other person is weak, or not competent to decide, or dependent on you and you yourself have to face the consequences, the approach could be different. You have to use your discretion and adopt the appropriate strategy.
This ‘Do as you wish’ approach may also develop the decision-making ability of the person concerned, making him aware that the ultimate responsibility is his own. Further, our spiritual thought preaches ‘detachment’ or ‘absence of attachment’.
‘Do as you wish’ is a classic example of not being attached to your views.
Friends, these are my views. And after reading these, 
Do as you wish!
‘YATHECHCHHASI TATHA KURU’ | DO AS YOU WISH
