Revisiting The Concept Of Action In The Bhagavad Gita

Abstract

Alfred North Whitehead once remarked that ‘A science which hesitates to forget its founder is lost.’¹For this reason, different theories and inferences in social science are now believed to be wrong. But, philosophical theories or ideas cannot be altogether rejected as wrong or finalised as right. In other words, the concepts of philosophy are not undisputed like that of science. From this aspect, Philosophy is different from scientific theories. Our intention of saying this is that there are several interpretations of the concept of action in the Bhagavad Gitā. But, the interpreters differ from each other and there is not a unanimous conclusion regarding it. As D.D. Raphael writes, ”Philosophy lives by constant criticism. It arises from doubt and criticism of existing ideas, and it remains vigorous and healthy only if it is self-critical also.”²