Preface

The Gita forms a part of the great epic, the Mahabharata. The contents of the text are brought out in the form of a dialogue between Krishna, and Arjuna, a warrior. The situation in which both the characters are placed is a battlefield wherein Arjuna has come to fight, by force of circumstances, his own cousins, nephews, elders of the family, teachers and friends. Metaphorically the battle and battlefield is life itself. For in life we are constantly engaged in a struggle both within and without between the forces of good and evil. The opening scene pictures Arjuna standing in his chariot between the armies of the Kauravas and Pandavas. Seeing all his kinsmen standing arrayed, Ajuna is overcome with grief. Arjuna’s depression is a form of self-indulgent pity which prevents him from doing his duty because it will harm his kith and kin. Such sentimentality incurs they rebuke of Krishna who exhorts him to act bravely. The words of Krishna are a clarion call to action, and therein lies the main thrust of the Gita’s ethical teachings.

The work has been divided into five chapters. The first chapter is introductory which deals a discussion on Indian ethics.

The second chapter deals with the Pre-suppositions of The Gita’s Ethics.

The third chapter contains a discussion on the concepts of Constituents of Moral Action: Dharma.

The fourth chapter highlights on the concept of Moral action and Emancipation on the other.

The fifth chapter consists of the Conclusion.

Although, there are already many works on The Gita, yet I think that there is still scope for new studies on this subject. I hope that this humble attempt would be of help to a certain extent for a better understanding on the concept of The Gita’s Ethics.