Work–Life Balance in Commerce Integrated with Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)

In the modern commercial landscape, employees face escalating demands that blur the boundaries between professional duties and personal life. Work–life balance (WLB) has emerged as an essential construct for sustaining both individual well-being and organizational performance. While conventional research focuses on flexible work arrangements, organizational culture, and human resource practices, there is scant attention on indigenous philosophical frameworks that can enrich our understanding of WLB. Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), grounded in classical Indian philosophies such as Dharma, Karma Yoga, and concepts of equanimity (Samatva), offer timeless insights into achieving holistic balance. This paper explores how IKS principles can be integrated into commerce practices to enhance employee satisfaction, ethical decision-making, and sustainable productivity. Bridging modern workplace challenges with ancient wisdom helps reconceptualize WLB not as mere equilibrium between work and life but as a balanced way of life that aligns work with purpose, ethics, and well-being.