Ashtalakshmi - a holistic measurement system for Dharmic organizations
Dharma is a simple word concept that means "living in a way that enlivens oneself, one’s context and the world one lives in simultaneously"
Organizations on a dharmic path often find the current unidimensional way of valuing growth, viz financial, very limiting. The Ashtalakshmi framework provides a holistic set of eight measures that encompass various facets of such an organization.
अष्टलक्ष्मी - Eight Dimensions
The Ashtalakshmi framework represents eight forms of prosperity and organizational excellence, guiding dharmic organizations towards holistic growth and sustainability.
Adi Lakshmi
Foundational values, vision clarity, and dharmic purpose alignment.
Dhanya Lakshmi
Resource prosperity through sustainable resource management
Dhairya Lakshmi
Courage demonstrated in resilient leadership, self-authorship.
Gaja Lakshmi
Bio-doversity, ecological sensitivity
Santana Lakshmi
Succession planning, legacy planning. people diversity.
Vijaya Lakshmi
Idea of success, achievement, and growth
Vidya Lakshmi
Creativity, innovation, organizational learning
Dhana Lakshmi
Financial Prudence; balance short- & long-term aspects
The source
The Ashtalakshmi framework draws from ancient Vedic wisdom, recognizing that true organizational prosperity extends beyond material wealth. Each dimension represents an essential aspect of organizational health and dharmic alignment.
By nurturing all eight forms of prosperity simultaneously, dharmic organizations can evolve while maintaining their spiritual foundations and true sense of purpose. This holistic approach ensures that success is measured not just in financial terms, but in impact, legacy, and alignment with eternal dharmic principles.
Client Success Stories
Real-world applications of the Ashtalakshmi framework in dharmic organizations, demonstrating transformative impact across diverse contexts.
Directional change to a community tech firm
Dhruv had built teams comprising of members from villages. Teams had to be rationalized due to reduced community funding. Team members moved part-time for financial needs, with Dhruv’s ongoing support for knowledge enhancement. A small team develops a new product, leveraging existing work. Interns and students join, aligned with Dhruv’s mission to teach and expand the community, balancing organizational Lakshmis.
Aligning projects to purpose and scale
Tactical course correction in annual reviews:
(a) Project A, while high revenue-generating was not aligned with purpose (high dhana lakshmi / low adi lakshmi). Team decided to phase out work with clients not aligned with purpose. Brought in new energy for creating new knowledge, new markets.
(b) New product development (vidya lakshmi) brought a new source of revenue but the delivery team had only a few members (low santana lakshmi - risk of dependency). Course corrected to have subsequent projects by a larger team - increased bandwidth and capabilities.
Our Vidya Lakshmi
Recognition in global academia
Professional Development Workshop at one of the largest management conferences globally - The 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM 2025)
Case Studies presented at III National Conference for HR-CSR on Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah. Received maximum participant votes
Shortlisted for Oxford Dharma Conference 2025
About us
Ashtalakshmi Institute is a joint collaboration between TAO Consulting and Ritambhara Ashram supported by various co-travellers in building, growing, evolving the framework.
We are action-researchers at heart and have evolved (and continue to) this by working with these frames in real-life organizations.
If you feel inspired by this approach, reach us at
explore AT dharmic.org.in
Join our community of dharmic organizations committed to excellence and prosperity
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