V.U.C.A., an abbreviation of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity, is a phrase in the world of business is apparently not very new to the world. Though it was used formally for the first time by the military officials during the World War 2 and from then, often related to strategic situations in the business environment, when keenly observed, the Indian Mythology has many instances representing these parameters.
But how? Have we ever wondered that such a niche concept could be found in Indian Mythology? Well, YES. With the number of stories we have and the number of characters in each story has, we can relate many such concepts to the Mythology.
Volatility, the first parameter talks about the dynamics of change. Volatility can be related to Mahavishnu, the moderator among the Indian gods. He is so responsive to volatile situations that he changes forms from a fish, to a turtle, a lion to a warrior riding the horse (kalki). Interestingly, his abode itself is a volatile place. The Kshira-samudra or the ocean of milk, where he reclines is always having waves. But, he adapts to those waves and finds comfort on that. He is so adapted to the change and is away from the illusion of the world. This makes even the “Shridevi” or the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi resort to lure him into the illusion of world or material world by constantly staying at his feet. Hence, he commands the whole creation by adapting himself to the change.
Second is the Uncertainty, the lack of predictability of events, can be related to the king of Gods, Indra. He has all the wealth around him. He possesses wonders like: the Kamadhenu or the wish-fulfilling cow, the Kalpataru or the boon granting tree, the Uccharishva or the unicorn and the Apsaras, the most sensual female embodiments. But, there is always an uncertainty in Indra’s kingdom. Every time an asura or a demon is born, there is an attack on Indra’s abode and every time a monk starts his penance, Indra finds risk to his abode. Thus, there is always uncertainty amidst of the wealth. Well, would this also mean to many assets increase the Risk?
Next is Complexity, a state of chaos in an organization, business or the society. An ironic example to this is the Kailash, or the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Indian mythology, who himself is always at peace! A typical portrait of Shiva’s family itself reflects complexity. There is the bull, Nandi, facing Parvati’s, (his wife) lion, though sitting in front of its prey, the lion is at peace. There is a peacock, Karthikey’s vehicle, a snake around Shiva’s neck and also a mouse, Ganesha’s vehicle. In short, the whole food-chain present at his home, yet there is peace. This indeed is a complex situation in present day scenario.
Lastly, Ambiguity, the state of confusion or mixed feelings can be related to a character from the Ramayan, Trishank. An ancestor of Ram, the hero of the epic, Trishank wanted to ascend to the “Swarg” or heaven without attaining salvation. Rejected by Sages, he approaches Vishwamitra, a king of his times who gave up his riches to be a sage. Challenging the rules, Vishwamitra ascends Trishank to the heaven. But, the king of Gods, Indra does not approve his entry and sends him back to the Earth. In a state of not ready to accept defeat, Vishwamitra refuses his entry on earth and thus Trishank leads his life in an ambiguous situation, thereby establishing a Trishank Swarg, which, till date is used as a famous metaphor in India for an ambiguous situation.
