Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

Leadership through Service: Insights from the Bhagavad Gītā for Ethical Governance

Authors: Dr Mouna Gupta, Academic, Educator, and Researcher;

Leadership through Service: Insights from the Bhagavad Gītā for Ethical Governance

Abstract

Abstract The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 encourages the use of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in education to help students develop good values, ethical thinking, and responsible leadership. Today, many systems of governance in India and across the world face problems such as lack of honesty, weak accountability, and loss of public trust. In such a situation, servant leadership, where a leader works for the welfare of others instead of personal power, offers an important and meaningful approach. This paper studies the idea of servant leadership using the teachings of the Bhagavad Gītā, one of the most important texts of Indian philosophy. The study uses a simple text-based analysis of selected verses from the Bhagavad Gītā to explain ideas such as niṣkāma karma (doing one’s duty without expecting rewards), karma yoga (working with discipline and dedication), lokasaṅgraha (working for the good of society), and control over ego (ahamkāra tyāga). According to the Gītā, a true leader is not someone who commands others, but one who serves with honesty, self-control, and a sense of duty (dharma). This idea supports the goals of NEP 2020, which focus on character building and value-based education. To show how these ideas are useful even today, the paper includes case studies from India and other countries. Indian examples such as Narender Modi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, E. Sreedharan, and the Amul cooperative movement show how leadership through service can bring positive social change. Global examples like Nelson Mandela and servant leadership practices in organizations and governments show that similar values are respected worldwide. These examples clearly prove that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gītā are still relevant for ethical leadership and good governance today.

Keywords

Servant Leadership, Bhagavad Gītā, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), Ethical Leadership, , Good Governance, NEP 2020

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average