Abstract

This case examines a succession crisis in the Ikshwaku kingdom of Ayodhya brought about by an interplay of political influence, emotional manipulation, and ethical commitments. King Dasharatha’s decision to crown Rama as Prince Regent is overturned when Queen Kaikeyi invokes two previously granted boons, demanding Bharata’s coronation and Rama’s fourteen-year exile. Rama accepts exile to preserve his father’s integrity and the legitimacy of the throne. The case explores leadership under a moral crisis and institutional legitimacy and the trade-offs between power and righteousness. The case is suitable for courses in Leadership and Business Communication, Organizational Behavior, and Corporate Governance. It can also be adapted for modules on Indic Knowledge Systems and Indian Epics in Management Education.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Assess leadership decisions under ethical dilemmas.
• Examine the role of types of power in political settings.
• Determine emotional intelligence in leadership crisis.
• Compare ethical leadership with opportunistic leadership models.

Keywords

Emotional Intelligence; Transactional Analysis; Crisis Communication; Leadership Decision-making Models; Types of power; Three Ethical Tests; Ethical Decision Making; Moral Conflict; Ethical Leadership,Personal biases; Egotism, Prejudices; Ramayana; Rama; Dasharatha; Kaikeyi