Bhagvadgita for Leadership

RESEARCH PROJECT On “Life of Abraham LincoIn with respect to Karma Yoga ” Session (2023-2025) 3rd term Submitted in SRISIIM-BHARATI VASANT KUNJ (New Delhi) Submitted to Rev.Swami Chaitnayananda Saraswati Submitted by Ms.Muskan Verma Roll no. 2023027011 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Rev.Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, my legal aspect of Bhagvadgita and Leadership , who always gave me valuable suggestions and guidance during the project. I feel proud to present my compiled project report containing ‘Life of Abraham Lincoin with respect to Karma Yoga’.However , it would not have been possible without the kind support of my teacher .The blessings, help and guidance given by him time to time shall carry me a long way in the journey of life on which I am about to embark. I would also want to thank my institution for accepting my project in my desired field. Lastly , I thank almighty my parents , for their consent encouragement without which this project would not have been possible. Place – Vasant Kunj (New Delhi) Name – Muskan Verma Date – Teacher’s Signature - 2 TABLE 0F CONTENTS S.no Particulars Page.no 1. Abstract 4 2. Introduction 5 3. Objective of the study 6 4. Research Methodology 6 5. The origin and early life of Karma Yoga 6.  Lincoin’s Legal Career 7 8-11  Calm Amidst Difficulties: Lincoln's Adaptability  Abraham LincoIn’s Achievement 7. 8. 9. Right Action in Karma Yoga Conclusion References 3 12 13 14 ABSTRACT As the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is renowned for having shown exceptional leadership during the Civil War, one of the most turbulent times in American history. Many times, people examine his life and legacy from a variety of angles, such as ethical, social, and political ones. But analyzing Lincoln's life within the Karma Yoga philosophical and spiritual framework provides a unique perspective on his intentions, deeds, and lasting impact. The Bhagavad Gita introduces Karma Yoga, a central idea in Hindu philosophy that stresses altruistic deeds done for the good of others without regard for the outcome. It promotes dharma, or responsibility, righteousness, and a goal of helping others as means of achieving spiritual freedom. Among the tenets of Karma Yoga are: Fulfilling one's obligations without thinking about one's own interests. Following one's own path and obligations in accordance with one's nature and talents is known as swadharma. Equanimity: Retaining composure in the face of achievement and setbacks. Serving a purpose bigger than oneself is known as dedication to a higher cause. Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Kentucky and knew loss and adversity from an early age. These early experiences gave him traits that are consistent with Karma Yoga, such as empathy, fortitude, and a dedication to justice. Lincoln, who overcame many hurdles to follow his intrinsic abilities and passions, embodies the Karma Yoga concept of Swadharma in his quest of knowledge and his work as a self-taught lawyer. His ethical and altruistic approach to practicing law marked his career, indicating his congruence with Karma Yoga's emphasis on responsibility and morality. Finally, using Karma Yoga as a lens, one can gain a profound understanding of Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. His altruistic deeds, duty-driven devotion, calmness in the face of difficulty, and devotion to a greater purpose represent the essential ideas of this antiquated philosophy. Lincoln's path is a timeless reminder of how Karma Yoga can bring about both society and personal harmony. 4 INTRODUCTION The 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, is revered for his leadership in the American Civil War and his part in the abolition of slavery. He is a historical figure of lasting significance. Analysis of his life and impact has taken many forms, including political, social, and ethical analysis. But examining Lincoln's life through the philosophical and spiritual lens of Karma Yoga offers one of the more insightful—yet less frequently investigated—viewpoints. In addition to enhancing our comprehension of Lincoln's intentions and deeds, this investigation brings to light the Karma Yoga principles' general application to leadership and moral behavior. The Bhagavad Gita defines Karma Yoga as a path of selfless activity carried out out of a sense of duty and without attachment to the results. In Hindu philosophy, it is one of the four primary yoga pathways that lead to spiritual emancipation, or moksha. 5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY 1. To know that what challenges did Lincoln face in following his path, and how did he overcome ? 2. To know that how does Lincoln’s ethical leadership compare to the principles of Karma Yoga? RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This research work is descriptive in nature .Secondary data sources has been collected for this research work . Rest of the learnings taken from Swami ji’s Bhagwadgita class. 6 The following are the fundamentals of Karma Yoga: Selfless action or Nishkama Karma : Doing one's duty without considering one's own interests. Following one's own path and duties in accordance with one's nature and ability is known as swadharma, or personal duty. Samatha (equanimity): Retaining a level head in both victory and failure. Serving a cause bigger than oneself, usually with an emphasis on the well-being of others, is known as dedication to a higher cause. By using these ideas to analyze Abraham Lincoln's life, one might gain a new understanding of his decisions, path, and legacy. KARMA YOGA The Bhagvad Gita's main topic, Karma Yoga, is a philosophy and spiritual path that stresses action without attachment to results. This idea, which has its origins in ancient Indian philosophy, comes from a conversation that takes place on the Kurukshetra battlefield between Arjuna and Lord Krishna. This discourse is captured in The BhagvadGita, a 700-verse part of the Indian epic Mahabharata that goes beyond the immediate setting of combat and dives into deep philosophical and spiritual ideas. This text contains important Karma Yoga lessons that have an impact on daily living as well as spirituality. The fundamental idea of Karma Yoga is to carry out one's duty (dharma) without becoming attached to the outcomes of one's deeds. The moral and ethical aspects of behavior are prioritized over the final product. This idea goes against the traditional understanding of behavior driven by success, pleasure, or self-interest. Rather, it encourages behavior that is morally upright, altruistic, and compliant with the laws of nature. The concept of serving as a heavenly instrument is another essential component of Karma Yoga. This is a psychological technique for separating the ego from the deeds, not just a theistic idea. When someone acts without ego, they don't take responsibility for their mistakes or want personal credit for their accomplishments. In ancient Indian philosophy, equanimity—a state in which one remains balanced in both success and failure—is the result of this detachment. This balance promotes mental stability and serenity in addition to spiritual elevation. 7 The Origins and Early Life of Karma Yoga On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin located in Hardin County, Kentucky. Poverty, toil, and a desire to learn were hallmarks of his early years. Despite receiving little formal schooling, Lincoln was a voracious reader who taught himself a variety of disciplines by taking out books and studying on his own. One could consider this unwavering quest for knowledge and self-improvement to be an expression of Swadharma, which is the principle of following one's path despite difficulties. Lincoin had a strong feeling of community and obligation as a result of his upbringing in a frontier setting where existence depended on labor and teamwork. These early experiences prepared him for his subsequent deeds, which were in accordance with the Karma Yoga doctrine of Nishkama Karma. His mother's passing and other early setbacks helped him develop a strong sense of empathy and resilience, traits that would come to characterize his leadership approach. Lincoin's Legal Career: A Duty to Uphold the Law Prior to going into politics, Lincoln practiced law, where his honesty and dedication to the law were hallmarks of his profession. He was renowned for being fair and would frequently accept cases that supported his moral principles rather than those that offered financial advantage. This time in his life is a reflection of the Karma Yoga philosophy, which is to carry out one's duties without regard to personal gain. Lincoln's legal profession serves as another example of Swadharma, as he applied his knowledge and abilities to further justice and assist others. His well-known cases— defending the unjustly accused and standing out for the rights of the oppressed, for example—showcase his commitment to righteousness, which is another fundamental component of Karma Yoga. Political Ascendancy: Duty-Based Leadership From the Illinois State Legislature, Lincoln pursued a career in politics that lasted until his election to the president. A strong sense of responsibility to his country 8 propelled him to the highest post. Nishkama Karma was responsible for Lincoln's actions throughout the Civil War, his attempts to maintain the Union, and his persistent dedication to ending slavery. He worked toward these objectives for the benefit of humanity and the country, not for his own wealth. In addition to severe political opposition, personal tragedies, and the difficult duty of leading a country at war, President Lincoln encountered several difficulties during his tenure in office. His calm and collected response to crises demonstrated his capacity to uphold equanimity, which is a fundamental Karma Yoga precept. Even in the most tumultuous of circumstances, he was able to make ethically sound decisions because of his balanced thinking. A Greater Goal: The Emancipation Proclamation Issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which proclaimed the emancipation of slaves in Confederate states, was one of Lincoln's most important acts as President. The commitment to a greater cause—freedom and equality for all—was the driving force behind this audacious and revolutionary deed. Lincoln, who embodied the Karma Yoga ideal of serving a purpose greater than oneself, remained persistent in his devotion to justice while understanding the huge risks and potential repercussions.The United States' moral underpinning was revised by the Emancipation Proclamation, which also altered the direction of the Civil War. Lincoln's steadfast dedication to this goal in spite of the hazards to his personal and political standing is evidence of his agreement with the tenets of Karma Yoga. Calm Amidst Difficulties: Lincoln's Adaptability Lincoln faced numerous obstacles in his personal and professional life, including the loss of his children and the constant demands of being president. His capacity to remain composed and carry out his responsibilities exemplifies the inner fortitude and resiliency that Karma Yoga promotes. Speeches by Lincoln that demonstrate his depth of thought and his appeal for reconciliation and healing include his Second Inaugural Address and his Gettysburg Address. 9 His well-known quote, "With malice toward none, with charity for all," captures the essence of Karma Yoga and emphasizes empathy, altruism, and a focus on the welfare of all. His leadership was characterized by these attributes, which also had a long-lasting effect on the consciousness of the country. Legacy and Persistent Impact Abraham Lincoln's legacy serves as evidence of the transformational potential of moral rectitude, selflessness, and devotion to a greater good. When one examines his life from the perspective of Karma Yoga, significant insights into the fundamentals of moral leadership and living are revealed. Lincoln's journey is a timeless illustration of how greatness can be attained via unselfish service, an unyielding dedication to duty, and a balanced response to life's obstacles. Abraham LincoIn’s Achievements 1. House Divided Speech With this succinct yet powerful speech in 1858, Abraham Lincoln launched his campaign against Stephen A. Douglas for the U.S. Senate. "A divided house is incapable of standing." "It is my belief that this form of government—half slave, half free—cannot last forever," Abraham Lincoln spoke to the attendees of the Illinois Republican state convention. "It will either turn into one thing or the other entirely." Put another way, slavery would exist in the US but would be either legal or prohibited. 2. LincoIn Doughlas Speech Democrat Stephen A. Douglas served as an Illinois senator for the United States. Republican Lincoln ran against him. The two engaged in seven discussions in various towns across the state. The majority of their arguments centered on whether or not the nation should let slavery to spread into the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. Lincoln refused because he believed that slavery was immoral. Douglas said the decision should be left to the settlers who had settled those areas. In1858, Lincoln was not elected. But after the debates, he became well-known across the country, and people started to wonder if he would make a strong presidential contender. 10 3. Presidential Election of 1860 Democratic senator from Illinois, Stephen A. Douglas was a member of Congress. Republican Lincoln was the opponent. The two squared off in seven different towns around the state. Their differences mostly centered on whether or not the nation should permit the spread of slavery into the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. Lincoln refused, citing the moral wrongness of slavery. Douglas said it should be up to the people who have settled there to make that decision. In 1858, Lincoln did not win the election. But the debates elevated him to a national platform, and people started to wonder if he would make a strong presidential contender. 4. Gettysburg Address This brief but now-famous address was given by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, at the National Cemetery dedication in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Four months before, that very spot had seen one of the Civil War's pivotal engagements. Lincoln declared that the area was hallowed because of the warriors who had perished there. "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain," the speaker stressed. As an alternative, he wished for "a new birth of freedom to this nation under God—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." 11 Right Action in Karma Yoga "Right action" in karma yoga refers to altruistic activities carried out without anticipating compensation. What we mean is this: Intention is key to "right action." The purpose behind an action - is it coming from the heart or the ego? - is more important than the act itself. Think about the potential effects of your actions and words, not only on yourself but also on other people. It's essentially unselfish activity, carried out out of a sense of moral obligation rather than selfishness or a fear of retribution. How Does "Right Action" Appear? Although incorporating the ringing right action into your daily life may initially seem overwhelming, you are not need to give up your work and enter a monastery. You are already on the Karma Yoga path if you are able to perform any of these actions! As described in the Bhagavad Gita, Karma Yoga provides a useful life guide that goes beyond simple intellectual discussion. Karma Yoga offers a framework for ethically upright and spiritually enlightening activity in all spheres of life, including personal development, societal responsibility, environmental care, and spiritual enlargement. The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita cut beyond religious and cultural divides, providing universal understanding of human nature and the way to ultimate fulfillment. In conclusion, the Bhagavad Gita's Karma Yoga concept is an ancient and profound knowledge that is still very applicable in today's world. Its focus on unselfish action and disassociation from the results of one's labor serves as a guide for living a balanced, moral, and satisfying life in addition to providing a route to spiritual emancipation. Even though they are included in an old epic, Lord Krishna's lessons to Arjuna still apply to today's problems and goals, offering direction and motivation to anybody looking for a greater meaning and purpose in life. 1..Before you do anything, consider your intentions. 2.Without concern for the result, make your labor a service to others. 3..Develop empathy and make an effort to comprehend the viewpoints of others. 4..Make the decision to take actions that will contribute most significantly to the greater good and cause the least amount of harm. 12 5..Consider each exchange as a chance to show kindness. 7..Don't expect anything in return; just give your time and attention freely 13 7 ASPECTS OF KARMA YOGA 1. Accepting Ishwara as the Presiding or Deciding Factor: In Bhagavad Gita, it is said that there is only choice in action and not in the result as the result is given by the law. The result does not solely depend on action. It depends on various other factors, conditions, situations, and past series of actions whichultimately governed by the universal consciousness. Therefore, it means that the result is in the hands of the Iswara and one must accept the result as their own even if its success or failure. Lincoln often invoked a higher power in his speeches and writings, reflecting his belief in divine providence. He frequently recognized God's will in guiding the destiny of the country, especially during the Civil War. His acceptance of the role of a higher power can be seen in his famous quote from the Gettysburg Address: “This nation, under God, shall experience a new birth of freedom. 2.Karma According to Dharma Every action must be done equipiously by maintaining the state of mind, purity, evenness and balance. Our dharma is to perform action. There is action even in inaction. Therefore, it is important to focus on performing our action according to dharma and not hanker for the result as the result will be decided by the universal consciousness. Lincoln's commitment to his duty as president and his moral conviction against slavery exemplify Karma according to Dharma. Despite enormous political and personal pressure, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the Union, seeing it as his righteous duty. His signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was a profound act of Dharma, undertaken with the belief that it was morally and ethically necessary. 3.Managing the Mind and Neutralizing Attraction and Aversion: 14 Karma Yoga calls for maturity and growth in life. It focuses on maintaining equanimity of mind which helps in managing the mind to do karma according to the law of karma and neutralise attraction and aversion towards various factors including success and failure. One must not perform desire prompt action. The attraction for particular result and aversion towards failure should be in control. These can be managed with the help of cognitive control. We should develop ourself to be able to fight for karma with equanimity of mind by being ready to accept what we get. 4.Enjoy what you do: Every actions should be performed with full heart as the choice of action is only in our hands and not the result. This can be achieved by maintaining equanimity of mind through the path of yoga. The action should align with the law of karma. If the result is as expected, then it is success and if the result is not as expected, you can learn from the mistakes and perform better. Your action must not be desire prompted, instead your action must be performed with dedication. 5.Spreading Self-Awareness: This component of karma yoga suggests that whatever actions we are performing, we should not separate our actions from ourselves. Spreading self awareness is crucial for karma yoga. One must be conscious about their emotions, attitude, behaviour and actions and its impact on others. Lincoln was a thoughtful and introspective leader, often reflecting on the moral and ethical aspects of his decisions. His speeches and writings encouraged self-awareness and critical thinking among his public, calling on Americans to reflect on their values and the country's founding principles. His Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address are prime examples of how he promoted self-awareness and called for collective introspection. 15 6.Cultivating Values and Managing Internal Faculties:One must manage internal faculties and cultivate values by spreading self awareness through karma yoga. Karma yoga will make people humble and non-aggressive. Karma yoga teaches that one should constantly act in accordance with dharma, and that doing so adds worth to one's life. Cultivating values can help individuals to overcome negativity in life and have an objective view point on every aspect. Lincoln's life exemplified his deep values of honesty, integrity, and compassion. He cultivated these values through his actions and decisions, always demonstrating a strong moral example. His ability to manage his inner resources, balancing empathy with the difficult decisions required of a wartime president, demonstrated his deep internal discipline and values-based leadership. 7.Accepting the Result of Actions as the Grace of God: We have choice to the action and the result will be taken care by Iswara. Whatever the result be, we should accept it as Ishwara kripa or Ishwar Ichha. If the result is what we expected, it will be Ishwar Kripa and if the result is not what we expected, it will be ishwar Ichha. Lincoln faced many failures and tragedies with grace and resilience, often viewing the results as part of a larger divine plan. He accepted the results of his actions, whether successful or not, with equanimity, believing that they were in harmony with a higher purpose. His Second Inaugural Address reflected this acceptance: “ With malice toward none, with charity toward all, with firmness in the right which God gives us to see right, let us press on to finish the work in which we are in.” 16 Conclusion Karma Yoga's Principles and Abraham Lincoln. When the life of Abraham Lincoln is examined from the perspective of Karma Yoga philosophy, it becomes evident that he deeply adhered to the values of duty, selflessness, composure, and service to a greater good. The Bhagavad Gita's Karma Yoga emphasizes the value of carrying out one's responsibilities honestly and without regard to the results. An amazing similarity between this age-old knowledge and the life and legacy of one of America's greatest leaders can be found. Altruistic Behavior (Nishkarma Karma) Nishkarma Karma, or acting without regard for one's own benefit, is the fundamental tenet of Karma Yoga. Lincoln's presidency serves as evidence for this concept. He was motivated more by a strong sense of duty than by personal ambition when he 17 took office during one of the most contentious periods in American history. His actions were driven by the pursuit of justice and the welfare of the country, not by a desire for power or fame for himself. Examples of these decisions include the Emancipation Proclamation and his tactical leadership throughout the Civil War. Duty to Oneself (Swadharma) Another fundamental component of Karma Yoga is swadharma, or following one's own path and obligations. Lincoln's life path shows a strong connection to his civic responsibility. Lincoln persevered in his academic and professional pursuits in the face of many obstacles and lowly origins. His route to the presidency was one of performing his national duty rather than pursuing a career in politics. Calmness (Samatva) Lincoln's ability to remain calm in the face of hardship was one of his most admirable traits. Karma Yoga focuses on keeping the mind in balance in the face of pleasure and pain, success and failure. Significant hardships, such as the Civil War, political opposition, and personal tragedies, characterized Lincoln's presidency. Nevertheless, he constantly showed composure, fortitude, and the ability to ponder. REFERENCES  Taking learnings from Rev.Swamiji’s class  https://asanajournal.com/path-karma-yoga-influence-life/  www.researchgate.com  www.quora.com 18