Can ancient Indian wisdom shape modern economics? VK 5.0 experts deliberate in Bengaluru
The discussions examined whether modern economic systems, shaped largely over the last two centuries, are equipped to address wider concerns of justice, sustainability, restraint and human well-being, beyond conventional measures of economic growth and material prosperity.
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The second Precursor Session of VK 5.0 brought together the Economics Advisory Committee at Jain PU College, V.V. Puram, Bengaluru, on August 8, 2026, for a detailed discussion on fundamental questions shaping the economic domain. The session was organised as part of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar 5.0 Conclave Series.
Held under the aegis of Spiritual Sovereign Jainacharya Yugbhushansuriji Maharaj, the session forms part of the broader Dhruv Tatvam initiative, which seeks to identify enduring civilisational principles that can inform contemporary policymaking and global economic discourse. The discussions examined whether modern economic systems, shaped largely over the last two centuries, are equipped to address wider concerns of justice, sustainability, restraint and human well-being, beyond conventional measures of economic growth and material prosperity.
The deliberations examined the intellectual continuity between ancient Indian economic thought, including the Arthashastra, Shukra Nitisara, Kamandakiya Nitisara and Jain and commercial traditions, and the challenges confronting the modern global economy. Panel members explored themes such as ethical wealth creation, financial inclusion, institutional trust, responsible governance, sustainable development, legal certainty, international cooperation and economics centred on human welfare rather than material accumulation alone.
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Dr. N. K. Singh, Chief Guest, said, “If machines are going to produce our goods and services, the question is not what machines will do; it is what humans will do. Technology must enhance human intelligence and dignity, not make human beings economically irrelevant”.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar, “towards the world as one family”, is a civilisational dialogue series convened under the aegis of Spiritual Sovereign Jainacharya Yugbhushansuriji. It brings scholars, policymakers, jurists, diplomats and practitioners into structured deliberations, examining the assumptions of the modern global order against the continuous knowledge traditions of Bharat.
The present edition, VK 5.0, advances the Dhruv Tatvam (“timeless principles”) initiative, which seeks to distil enduring principles across domains, including governance, law and economics, into published Dhruv Patras for wider deliberation. The previous edition, VK 4.0, was held at Kranti Maidan, Mumbai, in January 2026, with the support of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Organised by Jyot and Gitarth Ganga in association with JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), the session featured leading economists, policymakers, jurists, banking professionals, taxation experts and international delegates. The deliberations centred on “Dhruv Tatvam: Timeless Principles of Economics”, an initiative aimed at re-examining the foundations of economic thought through the lens of India’s civilisational wisdom.
Held under the aegis of Spiritual Sovereign Jainacharya Yugbhushansuriji Maharaj, the session forms part of the broader Dhruv Tatvam initiative, which seeks to identify enduring civilisational principles that can inform contemporary policymaking and global economic discourse. The discussions examined whether modern economic systems, shaped largely over the last two centuries, are equipped to address wider concerns of justice, sustainability, restraint and human well-being, beyond conventional measures of economic growth and material prosperity.
The Precursor witnessed the participation of distinguished experts, including Dr. N. K. Singh, M. K. Jain, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Balasubramanian Krishnamurthy, Adv. Prashant Kumar, Sr. Adv. S. S. Naganand, Shaurya Doval, Prof. Pulak Ghosh, N. S. Srinivasa Murthy and Siddharth Shah, along with international delegates from Nepal Rastra Bank and other institutions.
The deliberations examined the intellectual continuity between ancient Indian economic thought, including the Arthashastra, Shukra Nitisara, Kamandakiya Nitisara and Jain and commercial traditions, and the challenges confronting the modern global economy. Panel members explored themes such as ethical wealth creation, financial inclusion, institutional trust, responsible governance, sustainable development, legal certainty, international cooperation and economics centred on human welfare rather than material accumulation alone.
Spiritual Sovereign Jainacharya Yugbhushansuriji Maharaja, who convened the session, remarked, “The lapse in the rule of law is that crimes unrecognised by law remain unpunished, whereas the rule of justice, which formed the bedrock of the social order as prescribed in the scriptures, did not permit such wrongs to go unaddressed”.
Dr. N. K. Singh, Chief Guest, said, “If machines are going to produce our goods and services, the question is not what machines will do; it is what humans will do. Technology must enhance human intelligence and dignity, not make human beings economically irrelevant”.
The Economics Precursor marks another significant milestone in the ongoing Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar 5.0 journey. By bringing together practitioners and scholars from economics, finance, governance, law and public policy, the initiative aims to evolve a body of timeless principles that can contribute to building a more just, balanced and humane global economic order. The refined Economics Dhruv Patra emerging from these deliberations will be formally presented during the VK 5.0 Main Event as part of the broader Dhruv Tatvam initiative.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar, “towards the world as one family”, is a civilisational dialogue series convened under the aegis of Spiritual Sovereign Jainacharya Yugbhushansuriji. It brings scholars, policymakers, jurists, diplomats and practitioners into structured deliberations, examining the assumptions of the modern global order against the continuous knowledge traditions of Bharat.
The present edition, VK 5.0, advances the Dhruv Tatvam (“timeless principles”) initiative, which seeks to distil enduring principles across domains, including governance, law and economics, into published Dhruv Patras for wider deliberation. The previous edition, VK 4.0, was held at Kranti Maidan, Mumbai, in January 2026, with the support of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.