Rajasthan

Appearance

Introduction ​

  • Essence of Vedas: Considered by some as the "essence" of the Vedas and Upanishads. Others consider it part of the "Prasthanatrayi" (three pillars of Indian culture):
    • Brahma Sutras
    • Upanishads
    • Bhagavad Gita
  • Relevance: Applicable across social, political, personal, and administrative spheres.
  • Structure: Contains 700 verses in 18 chapters.
  • Moral Dilemmas: Helps in resolving moral and ethical dilemmas.
  • Context: Delivered by Krishna to Arjuna during the Mahabharata war, addressing Arjuna's weakness due to attachment.
  • Continuing Struggle: The struggle between good and evil is still relevant today, so the Gita's teachings are applicable.
  • Administration:
    • Promotes positive societal values.
    • Resolves ethical dilemmas.
    • Identifies and eliminates societal evils.

Core Teachings ​

1. Nishkam Karma Yoga (Selfless Action) ​

  • Popular Teaching: Considered the most famous teaching.
  • Misinterpretation: Often misinterpreted as "act without desire for results."
  • Correct Interpretation: "Act without attachment to the results." Focus on performing your duty, not controlling the outcome.
  • Key Principles:
    • Right to action, not fruits.
    • Action should not be abandoned.
    • Results may not align with your will.
  • Comparison to Duty Ethics (Kant): Similar principles of acting based on duty, without concern for personal outcomes.
  • Swadharma: Following one's duty according to the varna (caste) system (based on duties, not birth).
    • Four divisions based on duties:
      • Brahmin
      • Kshatriya
      • Vaishya
      • Shudra
    • Following swadharma is superior, even in death, compared to following pardharma (another's duty).
  • Nishkam Karma vs. Sakam Karma:
    • Nishkam Karma: Action performed without attachment or ego; leads to salvation and public welfare. Considered "Akarma" because the law of karma doesn't apply.
    • Sakam Karma: Action performed with attachment to results and ego; leads to bondage.
      • Types of Sakam Karma:
        • Sanchita Karma: past life karma not yet fruited.
        • Prarabdha Karma: Karma of previous life, giving the present life.
        • Sanchayamaan Karma: Karma of the present life.

2. Yoga ​

  • Meaning: Union of the soul with the Supreme Soul.

  • Key Phrase: Yoga Karmasu Kaushalam (Skill in action is Yoga). Performing actions well is yoga.

  • Samattvam Yoga Uchyate (Equanimity is yoga). Achieving a state of mental calmness.

  • Various types of Yoga mentioned (Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Sankhya Yoga, etc.).

  • Rejection of Inactivity: Gita rejects inactivity due to the three qualities of Prakriti (nature).

    • Qualities of Prakriti:
      • Sattvic: Virtues, knowledge, pleasure, morality.
      • Rajasic: Energy, fulfilling desires, actions, anger, greed.
      • Tamasic: Negative qualities, lethargy, excessive sleep, ignorance.

3. Anasakti (Non-Attachment) ​

  • Detachment leads to salvation; attachment leads to destruction.
  • Thinking about sensual objects leads to attachment, then desires. Unfulfilled desires lead to anger, destroying wisdom, memory, and intellect.

4. Stitha Pragnyata (Steadfast Wisdom) ​

  • A mental state of complete stability.
  • A Stitha Pragnya remains the same in happiness, pain, pleasure, success, and failure.
  • Important for civil servants to control emotions, prioritize duties, and make efficient decisions, helping to resolve conflict of duties as well as problems in both private and public life.

5. Harmony between Pravritti (Indulgence) and Nivritti (Renunciation) ​

  • Gita advocates a middle path, avoiding extremes of worldly life and renunciation.
  • Live a worldly life, fulfilling duties without attachment.
  • True renunciation is giving up attachment, not abandoning the world.

6. Jnana Yoga (The Path of Knowledge) ​

  • Nothing is as pure as knowledge (self-knowledge). Seeing one's soul in others' souls.
  • Attaining Knowledge: Approach an enlightened teacher, follow teachings faithfully.
  • Three steps:
    • Shravana: Listen attentively.
    • Manana: Contemplate and reflect.
    • Meditation: Deep study of what has been learned.
  • Accepts the concept of the immortal soul and rebirth.
  • The soul cannot be destroyed by weapons, fire, water, or wind.
  • The soul takes rebirth due to fruits of actions.

7. Incarnation of God ​

  • Accepts the existence of God and the theory of incarnation.
  • When adharma (unrighteousness) rises and dharma (righteousness) declines, God incarnates to protect the good, destroy evil, and re-establish dharma.
  • Civil servants should protect society and destroy "evil services."

8. Rajarishi ​

  • A king/ruler who thinks about public welfare.
  • Civil servants should work selflessly for public welfare.

9. Loka Sangraha (Public Welfare) ​

  • Resolve conflicts of duty by prioritizing public welfare.
  • Civil servants are role models, therefore, their conduct should be excellent.
  • Similar to the Utilitarianism concept.

10. Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Devotion) ​

  • Surrender everything to God, and God will show the path to salvation.

11. Yogakshema ​

  • God provides unavailable things and protects what is already available.

12. Apaddharma ​

  • In times of crisis, one can deviate from swadharma and follow others' duties.
  • Demonstrated during events like the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, and earthquakes.

13. Divine vs. Demonic Wealth ​

  • Divine Wealth: Fearlessness, purity of heart, control of senses, self-study, simplicity, non-violence, lack of anger, renunciation, absence of criticism, absence of greed, etc.
  • Demonic Wealth: Self-glorification, pride, lust, anger, cruelty, ignorance, impurity of heart, greed, evil lies, etc.

Qualities to Learn from the Bhagavad Gita (for Civil Servants) ​

  • Objectivity
  • Dedication
  • Tolerance
  • Integrity
  • Public Welfare
  • Impartiality
  • Public Service
  • Patience
  • Compassion
  • Detachment
  • Dutyfulness

Similarities and Dissimilarities Between Gita and Immanuel Kant ​

Similarities ​

  • Support deontological (duty-based) ethics.
  • Accept the existence of God.
  • Emphasize duty.
  • Accept immortality of the soul.
  • Accept the concept of rebirth.
  • Emphasize controlling emotions.
  • Both accept that freedom of will should exist.

Dissimilarities ​

  • Gita is a religious book; Kant's ethics are independent of religion.
  • Kant's ethics are rigid; Gita is flexible and liberal.
  • Morality is a means, God is an end in Gita; for Kant, God is a means, and morality is the end.
  • Gita accepts the law of Karma; Kant does not refer to the law of karma.