Bhagavad Gita, an esteemed scripture within Indian philosophy is an integral segment of the Indian epic Mahabharata composed in Sanskrit.
- Written in poetic form and complied around 200 BCE, it forms a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna.
- Recently, it has been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register.
Contemporary Relevance of the Ethical Teachings of Bhagavad Gita
- Action without Desire: It is signified by the idea of "Nishkam Karma" stressing the fact that one has right only to one’s own actions, not to their outcomes, regardless of whether it is favorable or unfavorable.
- It is in contrast to the idea of Sakama Karma, which refers to actions driven by desire to achieve a specific outcome.
- Synthesis of the Good of Society and Individual: Gita deals with preserving larger social and world goals of preserving dharma and order, and achieving harmony, unity and universal welfare through “lokasamgraha”.
- Strengthening Emotional Resilience: It explains the idea of "Sthita- prajna" as a steady individual with the characteristics of emotional resilience, including efficiently coping with adversity, adjusting to change, and preserving psychological wellbeing.
- Leadership Development: Bhagavad Gita stresses on the performance of Svadharma, i.e., own duty or dharma.
- Others: Decisiveness (Gita equates lack of ambivalence with decisiveness); Humility (being aware of one’s limitations); etc.
