The Bhagavad Gītā (Hinduism) > Likes and Comments

Now back to hinduism, The Bhagavad Gītā unfolds as a dialogue set on the threshold of war, where action, duty, and inner freedom are placed in tension. Through Krishna’s instruction to Arjuna, the text explores how one may act decisively in the world without being bound by attachment to outcomes. Central to the Gītā is the integration of knowledge (jnana), disciplined action (karma), and devotion (bhakti), forming a path where ethical responsibility and spiritual insight are inseparable. Rather than offering escape from conflict, the Gītā teaches a way of acting rightly within it, transforming action itself into a form of devotion.

Thank you for opening this thoughtful discussion. As a lifelong student of the Bhagavad Gita, I have always felt that it does not ask us to withdraw from action, but to purify the intention behind it.

In Business Yoga, I have tried to express this through the harmony of Gyan, Karma, and Bhakti Yoga: to understand with clarity, perform our duties selflessly and mindfully, and offer our work to a greater good. This is equally relevant in business, where duty, ambition, ethics, and uncertainty often meet. We may not control every outcome, but we can bring integrity, steadiness, and purpose to every action. When purpose and action become inseparable, work itself can become a form of yoga.

Anil wrote: "Thank you for opening this thoughtful discussion. As a lifelong student of the Bhagavad Gita, I have always felt that it does not ask us to withdraw from action, but to purify the intention behind ..."

It’s my pleasure, I'm glad to have someone who's a student of the Bhagavad Gita here. The topic of business yoga is truly interesting, I never thought about that. So does that become some sort of form of meditation? Or is there something more essential behind it?

Since I know not much about it, may I get back to the very fundamental question, shall I, on how you see the scripture throughout your life?

I am a Westerner. I have read parts of the Gita. I remember it is a great book, and incredibly deep.

To me what really stuck out was that life puts you in difficult situations, and your job is to do your job. Even if that means you need to kill the people in the next town over.

I am probably butchering this. Here is a summary of the beginning. Arjuna was a prince of a town (I think) and his town was lined up for battle against the next town over. His charioteer happened to be Krishna, the perfect spiritual guide. Arjuna didn't want to kill anyone. He knew a lot of them and they were good people. War and killing are wrong. But Krishna told him that he had to do his job. He had to kill those people.

This seems to go against spiritual principals. What a conundrum.

Couldn't someone have written a book about Krishna instructing an Auschwitz prison guard that murdering the inmates to the camp was his job, and he must do it? I would like to here someone straighten me out on this.

I write only from ignorance. You need not tell me that, I already know.