The earliest concept of an Ideal Society is found in Ramayana the epic where Lord Rama establishes Ram Rajya which implies Absolute control by its citizens, state administrators, and also rulers over the five sense organs, five motor organs, mind, subconscious mind, intellect, and ego.

Bhagwad Gita envisages a welfare society prosperous society, optimistic, successful, and governed by principles of firm justice. It does not support the view that a spiritually enlightened society should turn a blind eye to material development. Spiritual enlightenment and the development of material technology are complimentary for the growth of society.

The following verses 18-78  from Bhagwad Gita show the path to an ideal society.

Wherever there is Krishna the supreme god, the intelligent designer of the universe, and wherever there is Arjuna ( the supreme Archer, a doer for the society or one who works to achieve some good life goals ) , there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality . Here Krishna is a divine charioteer with reins under his control – knowing well how to lead and representing the intelligent designer of the universe.

Parth Arjuna with bow and arrow- who fights the Mahabharata Epic war to restore justice, represents technology and resource inputs – in the process of development.

Krsihan also represents – Vision and Arjuna – the Action

With divine vision and actions, a spiritual and enlightened materialistic society can be developed. A man should act as a humble instrument in the hands of divine will and shed his egoism and self-interest. Success is assured as nothing can come in divine will.

• Verse 3.11 Bhagwad Gita talks about the concept of harmony and interdependence in society

“The demigods are natural elements like earth, water, air, fire, ether. If we respect nature, and environment and please demigods, then demigods will also please us, and thus, by cooperation between men and nature (demigods), prosperity will reign for all”.

“As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment to results, learned may similarly act, but without attachment, for the sake of leading people on the right path”

Nature is kaamdhenu cow the wish-fulfilling cow. Milk nature within limits not to destroy it.Sustainable development – Cooperation between community members is essential, between nature and man and between humans and devas (gods). No man who does not do productive work has the right to expect society to feed him.

 Bhagwad Gita explains that an Ideal worker is one who works a duty and does not expect results, is detached, non-Goist, fortitude /courageous, and unaffected by success or failure. Thus an ideal government officer will work for his assigned duty and not for pay or allowances which will always be a secondary issue to him.The attachment to actions brings in evils such as greed, selfishness, ego, graft, favoritism, etc.

The following verse 3-13 in the Bhagwad Gita suggests that produce is for the use of all.The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment etc verily eat sin.”

This also means How can I eat when millions are hungry? How can I be happy when millions are unhappy? The wealth produced by a nation is to be placed in the service of society.

The verse 17-22 in Bhagwad Gita specifies that Charity should be done to needy people and be honest.

“Charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time , to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect is said to be in the mode of ignorance. “

Charity done for the purpose of self-gratification and fame is not charity and Vedas do not approve it. Only charity in the name of goodness is recommended.The state has to mock up resources for social security through taxation. The benefits must go to the needy and deserving. Consumption must be self-limiting. Donations to organizations spreading hatred, violence, etc are not charity but sin by donors.

In verses BG 18-46, Gita believes in Karmic actions that are pure, honest, and good for the welfare of society.

“Work is worship. A man can attain perfection through performing his own work and dedicating all actions to god the source of all beings and who is all-pervading “ .

Whatever be fruits of our actions fail or pass, we should dedicate to supreme power. If actions are good we may feel proud and this translates into ego which is self-destructive. If results are bad we feel sad. But if we devote results good or bad to supreme power and remain equal in good or bad, then we can face odd situations better as we are more calm and at peace even in the worst situations. Man therefore feels more content by offering work to god and crediting to God for success and failure.

This attitude improves the quality of work and outcome and attains peace of mind, happiness, and bliss.

Three Types of Actions are  defined in Gita.

Satva (Goodness ) is enlightening, pure, truthful, full and flawless, selfless actions, done for the welfare of society.

Satva when dominates, the whole body shines, Wisdom evolves in mind and goodness reigns.

Rajasa (Desires ) is the root of desire , kin to passion. It binds the soul by attachment to the materialistic world. The desires are unending. When Rajasa rises up, finds it hard to rest in peace such is Rajasik’s nature. Tamasa begets ignorance, pushes one to error and darkness, and leads one to commit sins. In an ideal society, all must work for actions that yield Goodness (Satva) . One can aim to fulfill high achievable goals for his life, but after achieving goals he must return to society through Satvik actions (Goodness).

 VIII    Vedantic Socialism

In the capitalist system where cutthroat competition exists, where might is considered right leading to survival of the fittest, the society envisaged by Gita is one of cooperation, mutually nourishing, and hence devoid of tension. In capital order, unlimited wealth is in the hands of a few. In the Gita Model Automatic distribution of wealth ensures equitable society.

Yoga Kshemam Swadharam – Society responsible for ensuring all requirements of its people, no honest man is jobless or underpaid. Gita advocates such a foolproof mutual support system

This is contrary to Western thinking ie might is right, and the fittest will survive. A society based on consumerism is witness to innumerable natural calamities such a earthquakes, jungle fires, storms, suicide, etc as we can see excessive consumerism brought by Industrial civilization in the form of garnering maximum profits.

Essence of  Vedas -Be More Human

The Vedic philosophy of living in harmony with the environment is clear from the following statements

• Vasudev kutumbakam—— The whole world is one family;
• lokah smash sukhino bhavantu—— May all worlds live in peace

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah | Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet | May living beings be happy, free from pain and suffering, and may all see good in others and find peace. Gita Model is an Ethical Society, a law of sustainable existence, a society needs both wealth and comfort for a happy life. Earn with ethical values . Artha (To Earn ) and Kama (desires /lust ) are permitted within this limit of common ethics. This is Vedantic socialism.

What an Ideal Man should do in this materialistic world to build an Ideal Society

“If one cannot take to devotion to supreme, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is the practice of Yoga and Meditation.

Meditation brings enlightenment.

Go on performing duties as assigned but without expecting fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain satisfaction, happiness, and peace of mind which ultimately leads to self-realization the ultimate absolute truth. Such an action-doer is called Karma Yogi. A Karma Yogi must adopt the following qualities in his character. These are  Humility means that one should not crave to be honored by others. One should not hanker for this material deception.

Egoless is necessary to live in harmony and listen and understand all.

Nonviolence  means not to put others in distress., pain etc

Tolerance means that one should practice tolerance to bear insult, dishonor, and criticism from others.

Simplicity one should have a simple lifestyle, simple dress, no showmanship, simple parties, celebrations, and weddings.

Cleanliness one should be cleaned from the inside and also external body. Internal body cleanliness means purity of mind, and actions and cleaning of virtues like anger, jealousy etc.

Some yogic processes are also recommended for cleaning of respiratory and digestive systems for better physical and mental health. Yoga has been found to be a mind changer from violence to nonviolence.

Steadiness and Self-Control, Renunciation of the Objects of Sense Gratification

Steadiness means that one should be very determined to make progress in spiritual life. One should have control over his senses which are always running after materialistic pleasure.

False ego (I am body and not soul ), Ego also means identity. So remove false ego if any.

The perception of the evil of birth, death, old age, and disease; take it as part and parcel of life. So remain equal in good and bad times.

Nonattachment to children, wife, home, and the rest, These are natural objects of attachment. But if these become obstacles on the path of spirituality then one should not be attached to them. However, continue to guide children as per need but without being attached.

Accepting the importance of self-realization, realize the relationship between soul and supreme soul. Mediate and do a philosophical search for the Absolute.

Beginning from practicing humility to self-realization and knowing the absolute truth is like a staircase beginning from the ground floor and going up to the top floor which is self-realization.

To sum a sum up an enlightened Karma Yogi is one who

• Remains isolated ,detached from mundane actions and jealousy .
• One who practices pranayam (breathing control ),Yoga Postures ,yoga cleaning and meditates.
• One who eats less and can control his senses thru
• Lives detached , ego less, lust less ,calm and fearless .Gets connected to supreme soul with no qualms and wishes .
• His soul gets pious and treats all equally .
• One who adopts above qualities gets close to supreme god and his actions produce results for welfare of self and society .