Ethics of Bhagvad Gita – Meaning & Its Role in Public Administration
The Bhagavad Gita (literal meaning ‘the songs of the Lord‘) is one of the celebrated sacred works of Hindus. Considered as an important piece of Smrti literature.
The Bhagavad Gita , also referred to as Gita, is a 700–verse Dharmic scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. This scripture contains a conversation between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide Krishna on a variety of philosophical and ethical issues.
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Bhagavad Gita Meaning & Theme
The word “Bhagavad” translates to “the divine” or “the Lord,” and “Gita” means “song” or “poem.” Therefore, the Bhagavad Gita can be understood as “the Divine Song” or “the Song of God.” It consists of 18 chapters, comprising around 700 verses.
The central theme of the Bhagavad Gita revolves around the concept of dharma, which can be understood as one’s duty or righteousness. Arjuna, a skilled warrior, finds himself in a moral dilemma on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where he is about to engage in a war against his own relatives and loved ones. Overwhelmed by the moral implications and the suffering it would cause, Arjuna seeks guidance from Krishna.
Ethics of Bhagvad Gita
Anasakta Karma
The word karma is derived from the Sanskrit kri, meaning ‘to do’. In its most basic sense karma simply means action, and yoga translates to union. Thus karma yoga literally translates to the path of union through action.
However, in Vedantic philosophy the word karma means both action and the effects of such action. Karma yoga is described as a way of acting, thinking and willing by which one orients oneself toward realization by acting in accordance with one’s duty (dharma) without consideration of personal selfcentered desires, likes or dislikes. One acts without being attached
to the fruits of one’s deeds.
Krishna explains that work done without selfish expectations purifies one’s mind and gradually makes an individual fit to see the value of reason. He states that it is not necessary to remain in external solitude, or remain actionless, in order to practice a
spiritual life, since the state of action or inaction is primarily determined in the mind.
Lok Samgraha
According to Bhagavad Gita the highest form of Swajdharma (one’s faith), concerned with a self-less duty towards the rest. These duties may collectively be labelled loka-samgraha, which could etymologically be analyzed as ‘holding’ (from grah, to
grasp) ‘together’ (sam) ‘the world’ (loka), though David Kinsley translates this as ‘support of the world’ and Tilak as ‘universal welfare’.
The renunciation or selfishness action done for public good is called as Lokasamgraha.
Sva-dharma
Sva-dharma means literally “own dharma” and has been translated as “own duty” and “particular responsibilities.” Dharma is derived from the Sanskrit root dhr, “sustain, support, uphold,” and has a wide range of meanings, including truth, cosmic law, reality, righteousness, correctness, integrity and duty.
Every person has unique duties and responsibilities and this “own dharma” or Sva-dharma is unique to that person because everyone has different capacities for righteousness.
Role of Bhagavad Gita in Administration
Bhagavad Gita is one of the earliest texts in any tradition to emphasize that it is important not just to do one’s duty, but to do it in a certain kind of way; i.e., with detachment.
The principle of world-welfare provides the basis for assessing the nature of an administrator’s duty in a changing world, even when faced with competing duties as in the case of moral dilemmas.
Gita’s virtue theory also emphasizes virtues that are indispensable for righteous administration.
Virtues such as an unagitated mind (anuvignamanās), firm mindedness (prajñā pratiṣṭhitā), disinterestedness (anapekṣas, udāsīnas), contentment with one’s own duty (svakramaniratas), indifference to pleasure and pain (samaduḥkhasusukhas) ,being the same towards friend and enemy (samaḥ śatrāu ca mitre ca) and towards honour and disgrace (mānāpamānayos) allow an administrator to perform his/her duty in most ethical manner.
Through the concept of dharma, Gita also identifies the essential ideas and governing principles of our cultural life and through karma yoga & jñāna yoga, also identifies course of action for man’s search for eternal which is the source of truth and joy.
The Bhagavad-Gita advocates a consciousness and a spirit-centered approach to the subject of ethics based on eternal values and moral principles that should govern the conduct of administrators. The teachings, Krishna outlined to Arjuna form a system of ethics that has withstood the test of time.
Few of the important teaching/concepts from Gita, that have direct role in administration:
Desired personal qualities to cultivate:
Krishna outlines 26 qualities of a gentleman – to be merciful, obedient, truthful, equitable, saintly, magnanimous, mild-mannered, clean, simple, charitable and peaceful. He should have surrendered to God and not be greedy or possessive but remain steady and determined, free of the six bad qualities, not gluttonous, sober, respectful, humble, grave, compassionate, friendly, eloquent, expert and concise.
In Gita, Krishna also outlines how to cultivate and maintain these qualities. He says to maintain good character, we must overcome kama, that is, lust or selfish desire. Kama means not just sexual craving, but it simply refers to an overwhelming desire for anything, such as lust for power. Greed, dishonesty and corruption are all byproducts of lust. To build character one must control lust.
Discharge of duty without favour or fervor
When Arjun got depressed by the sight of the warriors who were all his friends, teachers, relatives and refused to fight. Krishna using the concept of body and soul justifies the war and even killing of own people through art of discharging duties. He asks Arjun to discharge his bounden duty without any regard for pain or pleasure which arises from it. Similarly in administration, it is important that officers occupying position discharge their duty without any consideration of personal affection. Hence one should rise above the pretty material interests and act with an unprejudiced mind devoid of all attachments. According to Bhagavad Gita the highest form of Swajdharma (one’s faith), concerned with a self-less duty towards the rest.
Become Rajashri through Yoga
Bhagavad Gita desires an administrator to be a combination of a raja and a rishi i.e. synthesis of selflessness and saintliness. He should not only discharge duties without considering feeling of personal affection such as friend or relative but also should behave like a rishi i.e. no consideration for personal gain. When one combines power and social responsibility with the strength arising from character, clear thinking, dedication, and practical efficiency, one effects in oneself this unique synthesis of the rajashri. In the opening three verses of the Bhagavad Gita (4.1-3), lord Krishna also highlights Yoga as means to attain this stature of Rajashri.
One has the right to work, but never to the fruit of work
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भुर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥
Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana,
Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani
There are four aspects to the definition of work that Krishna articulates:
- The doer has the right to work:
- The doer has no control on outcomes/ fruits of action:
- The doer has,no control on the root causes of the fruits of action:
- There is no choice to revel in inaction:
Here Krishna advises Arjuna to detach from being concerned with whether or not the duty bound action is successful or what rewards he will get, instead he should prepare himself to perform the action to the best of his ability.
In contemporary times an administrator has to orients oneself toward realization of task by acting in accordance with one’s duty (dharma) without consideration of personal self-centered desires, likes or dislikes. One needs to act without being attached to the fruits of one’s deeds.
Sva-dharma & Loka Samgraha
Sva-dharma means literally “own dharma” and has been translated as “own duty” and “particular responsibilities.” Sva-dharma is unique to that person because everyone has different capacities for righteousness.
Loka-samgraha, which could etymologically be analyzed as ‘holding’ (from grah, to grasp) ‘together’ (sam) ‘the world’ (loka), include selfishness action done for public good. According to Bhagavad Gita, the highest form of Sva-dharma (one’s faith) is performing self-less duty towards the rest or Lokasamgraha.
Conclusion
The message of Bhagavad Gita is that either you can perform your actions with attachment thinking that you are the doer or you can perform the same without attachment by thinking that God/ Nature(Prakriti) is performing the actions. This unattached performance of actions has been called Yagya or Karma Yog in the Gita, which will not only fulfill all desires but will also transform us and make us one with God.
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