Bhagavad Gītā and Politics: Ethical Foundations, Political Duty and Contemporary Governance

The relationship between ethics and politics has been a persistent concern in political theory across civilizations. In the Indian intellectual tradition, the Bhagavad Gītā occupies a central place in articulating ethical action, duty, leadership and moral responsibility. Although primarily regarded as a spiritual and philosophical text, the Gītā contains profound political insights relevant to governance, leadership, conflict resolution and democratic participation. This paper examines the relationship between the Bhagavad Gītā and politics by analysing its key concepts such as dharma, karma, nishkāma karma, leadership and moral decision-making. The study situates the Gītā within the broader framework of political theory and compares its ethical vision with classical and modern political thought. It argues that the Gītā provides a normative framework for politics that integrates moral discipline with practical engagement, offering valuable insights for contemporary democratic governance. The paper concludes that the Bhagavad Gītā remains a relevant ethical resource for addressing political apathy, leadership crises and governance challenges in modern societies.