Review: Bhagavad Gita’s Guide to Corporate Dharma by Ashok Kumar Bhatia

Bhagavad Gita’s Guide to Corporate Dharma
Author: Ashok Kumar Bhatia
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Rating: 3.5/5

Some books try to simplify success; this one tries to moralise it.

Bhagavad Gita’s Guide to Corporate Dharma positions itself as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern boardrooms, and to its credit, it does make that connection feel surprisingly relevant. The idea of applying Krishna’s counsel to Arjuna in today’s corporate dilemmas is compelling, especially in an age where decision-making often feels ethically… negotiable.

What works well is the book’s attempt to humanise corporate struggles. Chapters on ego, detachment, resilience, and work-life balance feel relatable, particularly for professionals constantly juggling ambition and burnout. The inclusion of real-world examples, from the Tata Group to global business conflicts, adds credibility and makes the philosophy less abstract.
However, the execution isn’t always seamless. The writing tends to be dense and occasionally repetitive, and the analogies, while interesting, sometimes feel stretched. Instead of letting the philosophy breathe, the book often leans into explanation-heavy narration, which can slow down engagement.

There’s also a subtle preachiness that creeps in. While the intent is to guide, it sometimes feels like the book assumes a one-size-fits-all moral framework-something that doesn’t always sit well in the complex, grey zones of corporate life.

That said, it does succeed in one important way-it makes you pause and rethink how you approach ambition, ethics, and success. And honestly, any book that can make a corporate professional question their KPI obsession deserves some credit.

Find this book here.