On the battlefield of Kuruvan, Krishna told Arjun that a person with stable wisdom gives up attachment to the results of his actions. Regardless of the outcome, they remain satisfied and unaffected by the consequences of their efforts. Such people do not take any utilitarian actions while trying to complete tasks because the desire for results does not drive them. The result is transcendence.
Again, this is what a reporter should be like. Journalists should focus solely on their job—reporting the facts without bias—rather than obsessing over the results of their reporting. They must avoid any desire for rewards, recognition or material benefits. Journalists should maintain a detached attitude when reporting and not be swayed by the government or the opposition.
Newspapers can accommodate all kinds of news. Circumstances determine the importance of particular news. Neutral reporting strengthens public trust by ensuring that personal bias or external pressure does not influence journalists. Neutrality should not mean presenting false equivalence. If one side spreads misinformation, journalists must expose it.
The Indian view of neutrality is rooted in a philosophy that emphasizes balance, responsibility and the pursuit of truth. In ancient Indian thought, neutrality did not mean passivity or indifference, but the obligation to remain calm and uphold integrity. Neutrality is not silence or indifference, but acting in accordance with Dharma.
Neutrality in Indian philosophy involves cultivating an attitude detached from personal biases, desires and material attachments. This detachment promotes clarity and impartiality, allowing people to act without being swayed by subjective tendencies. Buddha’s teachings middle path Emphasis on the importance of avoiding extremes and promoting a balance of thought and action.
The koan illustrates this concept:
A monk once asked his master:
“How can we not cling to happiness and not shrink from sadness?”
The master pointed to a tree swaying in the wind and said:
“When the wind blows, the trees move. Is it the wind or the tree that is neutral?
The monk replied:
“No, because that’s what the wind and the trees are.”
The master smiled and said:
“You too. Then why are you wavering?
This conversation prompts thoughts about how to achieve balance and peace, without attachment or aversion.
Holy water from rivers mixes with dirty water from sewers in the sea. The sea never treats them differently. In the Mahabharata, although Krishna is Arjun’s charioteer and ally, he remains neutral in the Kuruvan war, agreeing not to use weapons or directly participate in the fighting. Cresson offered his army to Koravus, while he himself served as a non-combatant advisor to Pandavus, leaving both sides with a choice.
nishpakshta Often involves achieving fairness by ensuring that all parties have equal access to support or guidance. The act of balancing involves weighing conflicting duties or values and making decisions that are consistent with one’s understanding of the Dharma.
Neutrality is like walking a tightrope. A slight loss of balance would cause him to tip to one side, risking a fall. Likewise, in news or decision-making, remaining neutral requires constant vigilance and precision. Missteps—whether bias or indifference—can undermine fairness and truth, highlighting the delicate nature of maintaining true neutrality.
Author: Surakshit Goswami
Bhagavad Gita 5 Secrets to Achieve Spiritual Freedom in 2024: Chapter 4 Verse 23
