CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility is a concept that has been gaining immense attention in recent years. With corporations inclining to positively influence the world, CSR practices are widely being used across the globe. 

Corporate Social Responsibility is wherein corporations in addition to maximizing profits extend their arena to pursue pro-social objectives. This is done by contributing to societal goals by supporting, volunteering or engaging in ethically oriented practices. 

CSR is proof of humanity still being alive despite all the evil in the world. The CSR practices are spreading like wildfire with more and more organizations willing to integrate social and environmental concerns into their business operations and interactions. 

It takes into consideration environmental, ethical, philanthropic and economic responsibilities. A few examples of CSR for instance are – donating to charity, minimizing environmental externalities, promoting volunteerism amongst employees and so on. 

Now that we are roughly acquainted with the basic concept of CSR; let’s dive deeper into the more intriguing side of CSR. 

The Bhagavat Gita; A sacred Hindu scripture which is believed to have answers to most existential questions is home to concepts which are greatly relevant to the construction of the CSR model. 

The Bhagavat Gita offers people a way of life and incorporates innumerable suggestions that when imbibed by one can help them lead a happy life. It is a text that has been read by quite the majority and has influenced the lives of many great thinkers and rationalists. 

As most of us already know The Bhagavat Gita in its entirety is a dialogue between Arjuna, a warrior who is supernaturally gifted and Lord Krishna who is his charioteer. 

It speaks about numerous aspects, the most prominent ones being Jñāna, Bhakti, Karma, Dharma and Rāja yogas. 

Although BG has not been rigorously explored in the context of CSR; the staggering relationship that prevails between Indian philosophy and Management [CSR] is dispelling the notions of many sceptics. 

Before we proceed further, let’s get an understanding of how spirituality and management are related- 

Spirituality & Management 

Most people; no matter how much we deny it, are significantly influenced by religion and spirituality. Religion and spirituality play a vital role in the formation of beliefs and values which drive the behaviour of individuals, and management consists of these individuals. 

Several personal factors like creativity, honesty, trust, personal fulfilment, commitment etc ultimately are connected to increased corporate performance. All of these stems from the religious and spiritual beliefs of individuals. 

After recognizing the strong role that spirituality plays in performance, many organizations are exploring philosophy, transpersonal psychology, meditation, yoga, Buddhism, Taoism and many other spiritual schools of thought. 

Now that the Integration of spirituality and management is justified and established, let’s delve deeper and get to know how the CSR model finds roots in the Bhagavat Gita or how the Bhagavata Gita conceptualizations find application in the practices of CSR. 

Bhagavata Gita and CSR Dharma 

CSR demands the organizations to strike the right balance between making profits and adhering to the needs of the stakeholders. The interests of stakeholders including customers, employees, shareholders, communities and even ecological considerations are to be considered from time to time. 

The Concept of “Sarva Loka Hitam” from the BG roughly translates and relates to this aspect of CSR, which focuses on the well-being of all stakeholders. 

The Bhagavata Gita talks about Dharma; a concept which is very relevant to CSR. Dharma; which is one of the 4 Purusharthas or goals of life according to Indian Philosophy is claimed to be a way of life by the Bhagavata Gita. The other 3 Purusharthas are Artha, Kama and Moksha. 

All these 4 are intertwined with Moksha being the ultimate goal of life. Relating this to the Business world; Artha or wealth is attained by engaging in the business world. Even the business principles are ought to be carried out in accordance with Dharma or duty. The BG emphasizes one should not run away from his duties or dharma, which finds application in the CSR practices too as a duty towards society comes to the forefront. 

The CSR initiatives’ success or failure is attributed to leadership. The BG states that whatever standards or example the leader sets, people, in general, will follow. This holds true for the practice of CSR as well.

There are 4 kinds of dharma according to the BG. How each of these plays a role in CSR can be understood as follows- 

• Rita Dharma– This is the universal duty or inherent order of the cosmos according to the BG. It can be referred to as the law or order of the cosmos. Everyone in the business world and CSR needs to abide by the cosmic order or Rita.
• Varna Dharma is directly and greatly relevant to social responsibility or CSR. It speaks about the obligations of an individual towards the nation, society, community, business and family. The division of people into Four Varnas- Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra is based on their Guna or inherent nature or ability. The space applies at the workplace too wherein people are allotted jobs based on their abilities.
• Ashrama Dharma speaks about one’s duties as per the stage of life. In the stage where we are associated with an organization, we must render our social responsibility in the best manner.
• Svadharma or personal duty is determined by the sum of past karma and the collective effect of the other three dharmas. Svadharma is choosing the right job for oneself in accordance with one’s unique physical characteristics, health, intelligence, skills and aptitudes, desires and tendencies. One must choose the job perfectly befitting their Guna’s.

Bhagavata Gita and CSR Karma

The law of Karma as mentioned in the BG is also applicable to CSR. It motivates people to carry out their responsibilities to serve humanity. According to BG; good karma needs to be accumulated over time to reap good benefits and get closer to Moksha. This motivates individuals in CSR to think beyond their own welfare and extend help to the stakeholders and society. 

One of the most stellar features of the BG is the common usage of its knowledge for everyone irrespective of their sectarian ideology. It is glorified as the epitome of all spiritual teachings. The major purpose of the BG is to illuminate humanity. 

All in all; the principles of BG are synonymous with the principles on which CSR is built. The BG begins with individual responsibility -Svadharma and proceeds to the Ashrama dharma, Varna dharma and finally, the Rita dharma (cosmic order). This highly coincides with the CSR model, which moves from micro to macro levels as individual social responsibility, which moves further to corporate social responsibility and goes to global social responsibility.

In a nutshell; the CSR model can be understood by the BG concepts of Dharma and Karma. CSR when undertaken by companies gets them to look beyond themselves and makes the world a better place. A world of collectivism, the happiness of all and united people make the society utopian.