Pulling the Chariot Together: Jagannath, Collective Spirituality, and the Future of Inclusive Organizations

Our globalised and interconnected world is increasingly shaped by VUCA conditions—volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity—exacerbated by the exponential rise of artificial intelligence (AI). While technological innovation promises efficiency and growth, it also generates anxiety, alienation, and ethical dilemmas, particularly around human dignity, employment, and sustainability. This paper argues that inclusive spirituality, rooted in the Hindu ethos and enriched by other religious and humanistic traditions, provides a vital moral compass for contemporary business and leadership. Drawing on Hindu principles such as dharma (righteous duty), seva (selfless service), aparigraha (non-attachment), and vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world as one family), the paper explores how organizations can embody sacred service as a guiding ethos. The symbolism of the Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra, where people across caste and class pull the divine chariot together, is interpreted as a metaphor for collective leadership and inclusivity in business. Insights from tribal and Dalit traditions, as well as from humanistic atheism (Sartre, Russell), expand this framework beyond religious boundaries. The paper concludes that by adopting inclusive spirituality, businesses can move from transactional models toward transformational practices that integrate profit with people, planet, and purpose, enabling organizations to navigate crises while contributing to human and ecological flourishing.