Ethical Leadership and Managerial Effectiveness: A Conceptual Framework Based on the Bhagavad Gita

In the evolving landscape of global business, there is a growing recognition of the need for ethical, sustainable, and value-driven leadership.This paper explores the applicability of the Bhagavad Gita-an ancient Indian philosophical text-as a strategic and ethical framework for contemporary business management.Drawing on core concepts such as Dharma (duty), Karma Yoga (selfless action), and Samatvam (equanimity), the study develops a theoretical model that aligns with modern constructs of transformational leadership (Bass, 1999), spiritual intelligence (Zohar & Marshall, 2000), and ethical decision-making (Trevin o, Brown, & Hartman, 2006).Through a comprehensive literature review and thematic interpretation of selected slokas (Prabhupada, 1972), this paper examines how Gita-based principles contribute to managerial effectiveness, emotional resilience (Goleman, 1995), and stakeholder-centric governance (Freeman, 1984).The research highlights the enduring relevance of Indian philosophy in addressing complex leadership challenges such as moral ambiguity, strategic uncertainty, and value misalignment.The proposed Gita-inspired framework offers a culturally grounded yet globally relevant model for ethical and sustainable leadership in modern organizations.