Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai: From RHA to Scholar, Guided by Family and Spirituality

In this deeply personal episode of the Kabir Vani Podcast, host Kabir ‘Vani’ Zariwala sits down with Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai—bestselling author of Corporate Chanakya, speaker, leadership mentor, and one of the foremost voices on bringing Chanakya’s wisdom into today’s world.

This time, the focus goes beyond books and corporate insights. Kabir explores who Dr. Pillai was before he became the celebrated figure—his childhood, spiritual roots, family influences, and how those experiences shaped the man the world knows today.

Childhood in a Unique Community

Dr. Pillai grew up as a single child in a matriarchal community where women are considered the heads of families. In such households, after marriage, the husband moves into the wife’s home—a tradition that shaped his understanding of balance and respect early on.

As a boy, he carried the nickname “RHA.” While he often disliked being teased for it, he embraced the strength in his name as he grew older, especially the part “Krishna,” honoring his grandfather.

Though academically bright, his school years were less about topping ranks and more about nurturing curiosity and a hunger for learning. His teachers remember him as mischievous and restless, but that same restless curiosity transformed into lifelong knowledge-seeking.

A Father Who Meditated 10 Hours a Day

Central to Dr. Pillai’s journey was his father—an engineer by profession but a philosopher at heart. He meditated for nearly 10–12 hours daily, blending intellect with spiritual depth.

More than academic success, his father instilled in him two key values:

• Stay grounded: Success is temporary; humility lasts.
• Detach when needed: Learn to let go, no matter how high you rise.

This constant reminder kept him humble even as accolades and awards poured in.

Spirituality Beyond Rituals

Many mistake spirituality for rituals, but Dr. Pillai explains how his father taught him otherwise: spirituality is a way of thinking.

• It’s not bound to one religion or tradition.
• It embraces wisdom from across the world.
• It’s about treating the whole world as an extension of yourself.

For him, meditation isn’t just sitting in silence—it’s cultivating a calm mind in the busiest marketplace. Today, he meditates for at least four hours daily, carrying forward what his father practiced.

Lessons from Mother and Family

From his mother, who worked in a textile factory, he inherited leadership and resilience. She managed finances, emotions, and household responsibilities—proving that a home is the first business school.

“Your mother,” he says, “is the CEO of the house—Chief Emotional Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer—all in one.”

Becoming an Entrepreneur and Chanakya’s Call

Though he came from a working-class family, Dr. Pillai ventured into entrepreneurship over two decades ago in tourism. He quickly realized that a businessman’s true dharma is to create wealth—not just for himself, but for society through employment and taxes.

This realization led him to study Indian business wisdom. That’s when Chanakya “chose him.” What began as curiosity about economics and governance turned into a lifelong mission to decode and share Chanakya’s 6,000 sutras for modern life.

Writing Legacy: From Corporate Chanakya to 100 Sutras

Writing, it turns out, was in his blood—his father had written 13 books, and Dr. Pillai went on to write 22 (and counting).

His first book, Corporate Chanakya, became an instant bestseller and is now taught across business schools in India and abroad. Later came 100 Sutras of Chanakya, where he distilled complex wisdom into short, actionable lessons, perfect for today’s short attention spans.

Each book, he says, is spiritual at its core—Chanakya’s ideas were never just about politics or management, but about aligning leadership with higher values.

Family Values: The Real Foundation

Dr. Pillai passionately believes families are the true wealth. He stresses the importance of mutual respect across generations, learning from elders as well as children, and keeping traditions alive.

He encourages creating family trees, hosting reunions, and staying connected beyond WhatsApp messages. For him, the true death of a family member isn’t when they pass physically, but when their values are no longer practiced.

Parenting and Grand-Parenting

Drawing from Chanakya, he shares timeless parenting wisdom:

• First 5 years: Love unconditionally.

• Next 10 years: Discipline and guide.

• After 15 years: Treat them as friends.

Parenting, he says, must eventually give way to friendship and mutual respect, ensuring children grow into independent yet connected adults.

The Road Ahead

When asked about his future, Dr. Pillai smiles. He doesn’t plan to retreat into caves but continues to balance family, writing, and spirituality. With more books in progress and a mission to mentor entrepreneurs and leaders, he continues to serve society while staying rooted in the values his parents passed on.

For him, the ultimate goal remains clear: to live spiritually, serve responsibly, and learn endlessly.

Closing Thoughts

This conversation reveals a side of Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai that goes far beyond his books and lectures. His journey from “RHA” to “Dr. Pillai” is a story of grounding, family values, spirituality, and service.

You can watch more podcasts on Kabir Vani and listen to this audio on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Amazon Music.

You can listen to the full conversation with Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai on the Kabir Vani Podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Prime Music.