GITA AND THE ARTHASHASTRA: TOWARDS AN INTEGRAL PHILOSOPHY OF ACTION VIA DHARMA, STRATEGY, AND ETHICS OF GOVERNANCE

This paper explores the synthesis between the Bhagavad Gita and Kautilya’s Arthashastra—two pillars of Indian intellectual and ethical tradition. While the Gita represents the metaphysical and ethical core of dharma and self-governance, the Arthashastra articulates the pragmatic science of statecraft and political order. This article examines how these two seemingly divergent frameworks converge on a shared vision of righteous action, ethical governance, and the integration of spirituality with realpolitik. By drawing on primary textual evidence and comparative interpretation, this study proposes an integrative philosophy of governance that harmonizes inner self-discipline with external statecraft—a model highly relevant to modern political ethics and leadership paradigms. Keywords: Artha, Arthashastra, Bhagavad Gita, Dharma, Governance, Ethics, Realpolitik, Leadership