Geetanjali

Righteous Duty

धर्म

dharma

Action Path (Karma Yoga)

What is Righteous Duty?

Honor your responsibilities and role. Act on what is right, not what is convenient.

Dharma is the foundational principle of the Bhagavad Gita, representing the cosmic order that sustains life and society. It encompasses your duties, responsibilities, and the right way of living based on your position in life. Unlike rigid rules, dharma is contextual and requires discernment to apply correctly in each situation.

Application in Leadership

Leaders must understand and fulfill their responsibilities to stakeholders, teams, and society.

Practical Application

In daily life, dharma means fulfilling your commitments—as a professional, family member, citizen, and human being. Ask yourself: What is my duty in this situation? What would a person of integrity do? Then act accordingly, even when it's difficult. For leaders, this means prioritizing team welfare over personal gain and making decisions that serve the greater good.

Common Misconceptions

Many confuse dharma with blind rule-following or religious obligation. Dharma is not about external compliance but internal alignment with what is right. It's also not about doing what's easy or popular—sometimes dharma requires courage to stand against the crowd.

Frequently Asked Question

How do I know what my dharma is?

Your dharma emerges from understanding your natural abilities, your responsibilities to others, and the needs of the situation. Start by honestly assessing your roles (parent, professional, friend) and the expectations that come with them. Then consider your unique gifts and how they can serve others. When facing difficult choices, ask: What action aligns with truth, benefits others, and maintains my integrity?

Key Chapters

This principle is particularly emphasized in:

Keywords

duty, responsibility, dharma, obligation, role, commitment, righteous, right action