Niṣkāmakarma — The Ethics of Non-Action in the Bhagavad Gita

Is it possible to be unattached in action?

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Introduction

The Bhagavad Gita presents a theory of moral action called Niṣkāmakarma. The nature of Niṣkāmakarma can be summarized by the following passage:

“Therefore, without attachment, perform, always the work that has to be done, for man attains to the highest by doing work without attachment.” (III.19)

The passage presents a theory of moral action which contains three components:

1. The action itself
2. The correctness of the action
3. An attitude toward the action.

In what follows, I will briefly explain each of these three components of moral action. I will then consider the two possible objections to Niṣkāmakarma (or dharma ethics) as it is presented in the Bhagavad Gita including standard responses to such objections. I will conclude some remarks concerning the standard responses to the objections.

Niṣkāmakarma Ethics

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