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The Bhagavad Gita's essential philosophy is very similar to the essential philosophy behind Christianity and, in fact, Plato's Republic as well. It is interesting to note the unity in the essential philosophies of all three works. By essential philosophies I mean without all the trappings of ritual and small details for theistic explanation. Only the core values and manifestation of these values in society and the world view are to be considered.
All three works have emphasized the transitory nature of the material world and the transcendence of the realm of rational thought, belief in god, or living in the ways of Krishna. Plato and the Gita especially emphasize the necessity of people doing what suits them best. Meanwhile the concept of an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient god from which all existence must come from directly parallels Krishna and all of existence, mentality, sensation and thought existing within him.
The final aim of all three works, however, is to create an encompassing philosophy which creates an impetus to be good and just. Love, virtue, mercy, peaceful coexistence, etc. are all elements which these philosophies emphasize. The method of attaining these virtues is even similar through rational thought, intelligent belief, or Jnana or Karma Yoga respectively.
It is interesting to note, however, the detachment which Hinduism in the Gita produces between actions and their results. Krishna does say to concentrate on ones actions, never on their fruits, but how does this serve to completely sever the moral judgment of Arjuna upon fighting and killing his own family? The main argument seems to rest on the defamation Arjuna will experience if he does not fight.
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