“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” – JFK (John F Kennedy)… This post is exactly about this; practical advice from the Bhagavad Gita quotes on ethical decision-making.
Life plays out in our moments of decision. While the emphasis here is on ‘deciding to act’, we are defined by not just ‘smart’ decisions but also by making ethically wise decisions.
But what if we are are stuck? Or what if all available choices seem equally ‘optimal’ which ones should we adopt?
Consider for a moment, if affluent freedom fighters like Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Tilak had not given up their riches, the comfort of their families to make that ethical decision to fight for India’s freedom struggle.
Or what if the Chernobyl Three hadn’t made that historic and incredibly ethical decision to sacrifice their lives, so as to contain the malfunctioning nuclear plant in Ukraine, that was close to destroying half of Western Europe!
What if the villagers of Eyam had not made a heroically ethical decision of containing themselves within their village and facing Black Death when it came knocking at their doors. Instead of escaping to neighboring villagers and spreading the plague many times over?
First, What is Decision making?
The cognitive process of choosing an alternative, from amongst the ones available, is decision-making.
- Personal decisions like, which college? what career? which spouse? how many kids? what vacation? which car? and so on….
- Business decisions like what business? how many employees? profit margin? channels of distribuitions and so on
The ancients depended on oracles and high priests for their decisions. Today, decisions are micro-analyzed through statistical models to predict the probabilities of every possible outcome.
Academic interest has exploded in the field of JDM – (Judgement and Decision Making) or MCDA (Multiple- criteria decision analysis) as they call. Here:
- Decision making tendencies/models like Dynamic Decision making (DDM), Heuristics and biases, Naturalistic decision making, Groupthink etc. are being dissected for their efficacy.
- Thinkers like John Hammon (Smart choices), Annie Duke (Thinking in bets), Abby Covert (How to make sense of any mess) have glorified logical decision-making.
- In contrast, Cult thinkers like Daniel Kahneman (Thinking fast and Slow) Jack Welsch (Straight from the Gut), Malcolm Gladwell (Blink) and Nicholas Taleb (The Black Swan) debunk pure logic and share insights on how the intuitive element works in decision-making.
This post, will deviate from these lines of thought and dwell on the making ethical decision and choices, largely based on the Bhagavad Gita.
Why an ethical basis for logical/ intuitive decision making? Why Bhagavad Gita quotes?
- Ethics are a sound source for good decisions to spring forth, especially when its a case of make-or-break decisions.
- They generate trust, respect, fairness and a thriving environment for higher confidence and productivity.
- Decisions that spring out of ethics are most effective for the long term.
- Bhagavad Gita is an epic handbook in Hinduism that advices on all aspects of human life including decision making. Here, Lord Krishna pushes Arjuna, out of his indecision, albeit philosophically. While coaxing him, he also spells out the whole purpose of human life (in line with the Upanishads) so Arjuna can see things in the larger perspective.
The four characteristics of an ethical decision- making dilemma, how we are similar to Prince Arjuna
1.Confusion over the grey areas/loopholes in the value metrics.
Prince Arjuna and his brothers suffered indignantly for years, thanks to the scheming Kauravas. But when he finally gets the chance to settle the scores, he hesitates. He remains undecided as to which is the nobler of his choices
- Should he simply forgive his cousins’ horrendous deeds? Slaughtering his kin would certainly be setting a terrible precedent of lawlessness for his progeny!
- Or go right ahead with the bloodshed? Prove how good always triumphs over evil?
2. Fear of failure
When he observes the size and might of the Kaurava army, it shakes him up. The army’s formidable size and artillery was compounded by leadership from infallible greats like Karana, Dronacharya and Bheeshma.
3.Muddled thinking due to emotional attachments
The sight of beloved family elders who had raised him up, like Bheeshma (his grandfather prime) and Dronacharya (his teacher) turn his heart to mush, diffusing his resolve.
4.Paralysis of Analysis/ Procrastination
Conflicting emotions take over him and make his despondent. He goes into a paralysis of analysis, moving back and forth in indecision/ procrastination. Finally, he lays down his arms.
We all feel like this at key turning points …We freeze and fail to take that big step that could redefine us.
Now let’s see how Lord Krishna clears his devotee’s mind and fills it with a strong conviction of purpose.
Top 5 Life lessons from Bhagavad Gita quotes on ethical decision making
Lesson 1: Choose the right course of action (make ethical decisions only) whether it fills you with dread, elation, joy or sorrow.
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making: Chapter 2, Verse 38
Sukha-duhkhe same krtva labhalabhau jayajayau, Tato yuddhaya yujyasva naivam papam avapsyasi
“Fight because you must, without heeding feelings of happiness or distress, possibilities of loss or gain, victory or defeat….”
Serve the right goal with the greater good in mind. Do not rationalize basis feelings and emotions.
Why Feelings are a misleading rudder for our responses, also toxic for ethical decision making?
How you feel, will always be in a flux. We move from joy to distress, from love to hate, from anxiety to calm. The illusory show that the mind orchestrates, basis our sense affinities make it a shaky ground.
Reacting feels great. But our hunger to ‘feel good’ can manifest in cruel ways. Venting over minor slip-ups and making bad decisions becomes commonplace then:
Feeling-based decision 1: It’s not my problem!
When the (poor, hassled) maid, already late for work (thanks to domestic abuse), breaks a favourite cup . The angry rap and wage cut handed to her is rationalized with this excuse.
Feeling-based Decision 2: He had it coming! How dared he!
When a new colleague is knocking himself out at work, and co-workers’ gang up and make things difficult for him, ‘A fool for trying so hard!’ we rationalize knowing fully well that no else else would even bother to put in that kind of hard work.
Feeling-based Decision 3: What insolence! He’s way out of his league!
When that child from a poor neighbourhood, accidentally scratches the bonnet of your car while struggling on his battered cycle and you blow you lid.
Feeling-based Decision 4: I am not getting enough.
In the rants about the government, the system, the company, the capitalists, the spouse, the neighbourhood etc.
Feeling-based decision 5: Told you so!
Someone had the guts to try something and fail, but others decide to sprinkle salt on the wounds! Even though, few would have had the courage to try that endeavour.
As long as, basic feelings freely choose for us, without any proactive effort from us at making ethical decisions, we keep foregoing the possibility of becoming a greater version of ourselves.
Also, ‘Feeling- Decisions’ justified as ‘best for all’, could be our hidden crutches to stay in our comfort zone whereas proactively making ethical decisions could expose us to risk and unknown variables.
- “That job would be too demanding.”
- “That business would mean too much travel.”
- “That course would take up too much time.”
- “Can barely make ends meet, how do I donate?”
- “No time for myself, how do I serve the poor?”
The Gita warns against acting out of your feelings and exhorts one to keep the greater good in mind and make decisions based on correct values.
Lesson 2: Do not choose the comfort of impermanent physical/ material belongings/attachments over eternal values
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 44
Bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam tayapahrta-cetasam, Vyavasayatmika buddhi samadhau na vidhiyate
“Those who are attached, enamoured by sense pleasures and material opulence, will be unable to resolutely commit to service.”
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 55
- Prajahati yada kaman sarvan partha mano-gatan, Atmany evatmana tustah sthita-prajnas tadocyate
“A man who gives up the desires for sense gratification concocted by his mind, purifies his mind and finds contentment in self along with transcendental consciousness.”
How making decisions based on gratification of desires/pleasures and not ethics can become self- defeating.
Pleasure addiction
An attitude of decisively chasing pleasures morphs into a self-sustaining compulsion. Pleasure addiction is a common affliction where some exist simply for fun, shopping, partying, drinking, holidaying, splurging… we know where that leads!
Selfish outlook
It’s common to spend lakhs on designer dresses and accessories then in the same breath be exacting when it comes to our workers’ wages. One must keep in mind the universal rule of ‘tithing’ and as per which what we give is what comes back to us multiplied.
Unfavourable citizenship
When we rationalize, every single action with ‘What’s in it for me?’ our larger duties towards the society and country fade.
The Gita advises against restraining ourselves within the tiny microcosm of our own pleasures and laying waste our incredible capacity to bring joy to millions.
Lesson 3: Stand up for your principles, decide to fight for the right values, even when chances of a victory seem bleak
Bhagavad Gita advises to muster the courage to stand up to do the ‘right’ thing, here Swadharma even when you feel that your cause has a slim chance.
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 31
Sva-dharmam api caveksya na vikampitum arhasi, Dharmyad dhi yuddhac chreyo ‘nyat ksatriyasya na vidyate
‘Given your duty as a Kshatriya, there is nothing better for you than to fight for your principles without hesitation.”
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 3
Klaibyam ma sma gamah partha naitat tvayy upapadyate , Ksudram hrdaya-daurbalyam tyaktvottishtha parantapa
“Do not give into this degrading impotence that is unbecoming of you, son of Partha. Give up the petty weaknesses of the heart and arise.”
Choose the right and not the easy path , Choose to make ethical decisions
- Persevere in your duty, in the face of a million oppositions, for the price you pay from shirking it, is far too great.
- Feeling intimidated by the consequences of the ‘right action’> Stand up and fight anyways. When you practise this, eventually you will be a powerhouse no matter how many odds are stacked up against you.
- Humans have a natural sense of right and wrong. And most would recall those poignant life moments when we chose the wrong but the extremely gratifying short cut. Give an ear and a thumbs up to your conscience!
- Neglecting sound principles for short cuts lead to twisted complexes of weakness that are hard to break away from.
How to put principle-centres ethical decision making into practise, daily
- Bat for the people who constantly subjugated, at work, home, society anywhere.
- Do not ‘spectate’ injustice just because it is too inconvenient to get involved
- If you know of people who exploit poor workers step up and help them.
- Or when you know of child abuse, senior abuse around you, step up and report it.
- When you find someone cheating your company, no matter how powerful; stand up and blow that whistle.
Lesson 4: When making value decisions, do your duties selflessly, without attachments to results: (Renounce the fruit of your ethical actions)
Bhagavad Gita says when you have finally chosen the right action and gone ahead and executed it, against all odds, take one step further. Renounce the results of that selfless action.
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 47
Karmanyevadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana, Ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango stv akarmani
“You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but dont cultivate a sense of entitlement for the fruits of your action. Never think you alone are the cause of results and never get attached to not doing your duty.”
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 48
Yoga-stah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya , Siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga ucyate
“Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.”
Go ahead and make that ethical decision to perform your duties selflessly, and
- Do not wait for adulation, or get attached to remuneration or demand the fruits of your action.
- Develop an attitude of equanimity towards results that could swing either way.
- Remind yourself that, the Universe is a well-run machinery. Good unto others, will come back multiplied sooner or later.
- Avoid the self-defeating inertia that creeps in towards further duties, till the previous ones have been rewarded. Waiting for results almost never works but only wastes time and opportunities.
- Heighten the sense of service thats already present in life. Can we extend to our community the kind of selfless service and care we do for our family members, without remuneration?
As per the Bhagavad Gita, making the ethical decision to conduct selfless acts of general good can cancel out bad Karmic accumulation and enhance the quality of your current and future lives.
Lesson 5 : Make ethical choices basis the larger picture. The body may die but not the Soul, nor its Karma or accumulation of good/ bad deeds
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 20
Na jayate mriyate va kadacin, Nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah , Ajo nityah sasvato ‘yam purano, Na hanyate hanyamane sarire
“The Soul is neither born nor does it die. The Soul is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval. It cannot be slain even when the body is slain.”
Bhagavad Gita quote on decision making, Chapter 2, verse 27
Jatasya hi dhruvo mrtyur dhruvam janma mrtasya ca , Tasmad apariharye ‘rthe na tvam socitum arhasi
“One who is born is sure to die, and upon death sure to be reborn. So while performing your duty (killing enemies) do not lament.”
Bhagavad Gita talks about the concept of transmigration. The advice here is not to mourn something that is neither ours not can we hold on to forever.
- While Arjuna fears killing his tribe, Lord Krishna clarifies that it is really beyond him to kill another (in a larger perspective)
- He says that there was never a time when he (Lord Krishna) or Arjuna or Kauravas did not exist … nor will there be a time when they will cease to exist.
- He explains that the intangible Soul inside each body, a part of Divinity itself, is eternal, indestructible. This Soul moves in and out of lives as it must shed its old clothes (bodies) and adopt new ones like one would change clothes. It gives up old, diseased bodies adopting fresh born ones endlessly.
What this means in terms of making ethical decisions is :
- Don’t grieve endlessly for what you have lost, or what you may lose.
- Losing a parent/ spouse/ child can be a horrible nightmare. To the ones mourning, the dark night of life never seems to die out to the rays of the day.
- Though no amount of solace helps. this lesson from the Gita, constantly internalised can add strength. The simple thought that your departed loved one has probably started a brand-new journey somewhere, that might be a glorious one.
Eventually Arjuna realizes that his worldview is myopic and that he must:
- See himself as a part of a larger whole.
- Serve his larger self and in effect serve the Universe.
- Know that good will set off the bad harmoniously, unerringly.
Lets make give ethics a huge place in our daily big and small decisions and watch the magic unfold!
Learn how to increase your willpower with 12 practical, easy and long-term tips, supported by scientific studies Bhagavad Gita teachings and a few powerful quotes here…
