The Path to Liberation: Realising the Truth and Living through Righteous Action in the Bhagwat Gita
International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.22161/ijels.103.88 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the Bhagavad Gita, read through a hermeneutic approach, portrays a dynamic interaction of psychological, theological, and ethical elements, with Arjuna's moral crisis representing a universal human dilemma and Krishna's teachings on Sankhya Yoga and Karma Yoga offering a framework for resolving moral quandaries. The authors contend that maya, avidya, and akarma hinder spiritual enlightenment, and that the pursuit of transcendental consciousness, or Krishna's consciousness, carries cosmic ramifications for the human psyche and divine agency. |
Abstract
The quest for Absolute truth unfolds on the battlefield of Kurukshetra (dharma-kshetra), primarily focusing on Arjuna’s psychological turmoil and Krishna’s philosophical advice. Arjuna’s role depicts the mere human psyche bounded by attachment to material life. This article explores the metaphysical and ethical aspects of the Bhagavad Gita, an encyclopaedia of life. Supreme lord’s wisdom provides a framework based on Sankhya Yoga and Karma Yoga for resolving moral quandaries, whereas Arjuna’s moral crisis reflects a universal moral quandary, perplexed between his emotions and his karma. The concept of duty (dharma), action (karma), and salvation (moksha) are highlighted in the study, which further critiques the delusion of illusion (maya) and ignorance (avidya) and the consequences of one’s Akarma. These elements hinder the process of spiritual enlightenment or attaining transcendental consciousness. The pursuit of transcendental consciousness, also called Krishna’s consciousness in Karma Yoga, discusses the cosmic ramifications of the human psyche and, role of divine agency. By applying the Hermeneutic approach, the theory of interpretation, this study portrays Gita as a dynamic interaction of psychological, theological elements and ethical elements that are highly relevant to discussions about responsibility, emancipation, and agency.