Friends Event: Humility in the Gita

A talk by Shaunaka Rishi Das of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

The Bhagavad-gita is a conversation that takes place on a battlefield, just prior to a conflict that ends in death and misery for most of the participants. Its a strange text therefore in which to find humility emerging as one of its important principles. In fact humility is the basis on which Arjuna, one of the most valiant of the warriors present, finally decides to participate. In a modern context where Hindus complain that they can be too humble, too compliant, and seen as weak – and urge more assertive and agressive action – we examine the Gita asking why humility, and what does humility mean in the context of the Gita.