ADR Dharma: Seeking a Hindu Perspective on Dispute Resolution from the Holy Scriptures of the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita

Authors

Aalok Sikand

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita are both monumental pieces of Hindu literature. This paper seeks to analyze them in order to garner a Hindu perspective on dispute resolution. There will be five parts to this paper: Part I seeks to give an overview of certain Hindu concepts such as dharma, which will make it easier to understand the Mahabharata and the Gita. Part II will then give a brief summary of the basic plot of the Mahabharata. Then, Part III will zoom in on the section of the Mahabharata where Lord Krishna attempts to mediate peace between the two sides of the Great War. Part IV will then analyze the Bhagavad Gita and flush out its two concepts of how to first, discover what one's duty is, and second, how to selflessly do one's duty. Next, Part V will give the conclusion that the Hindu perspective of dispute resolution involves two layers: First, the layer of internal disputes within each one of us that needs to be resolved, and second, the layer of external disputes between people that needs to be resolved. It is only when people try to the best of their ability to resolve both the internal and external levels of dispute resolution that there will be both inner peace and world peace.

Recommended Citation

Aalok Sikand, ADR Dharma: Seeking a Hindu Perspective on Dispute Resolution from the Holy Scriptures of the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita , 7 Pepp. Disp. Resol. L.J. Iss. 2 (2007)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/drlj/vol7/iss2/7