Famous shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita are timeless quotes of wisdom. These shlokas offer profound insights into life, death, and the human condition.
Through the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna about the verse from the Bhagavad Gita. He talks about the ideal way to live life. We discover eternal truths that continue to inspire and guide millions.
Here are top 10 famous shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita
1. यदा यदा ही धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत |
अभ्युथानंधर्मस्य तदात्मानं स्रुजाम्यह्म् ||
Neither weapons can cut the soul, nor fire can burn it. Neither water can wet it, nor air can dry it. Meaning: Fight for duty, consider happiness-sorrow, loss-profit, victory-defeat with equal respect. By fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never commit sin.
2. इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते |
तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि ||
Imagine a boat sailing smoothly on a set path. A strong wind can easily blow it off course. In the same way, our senses can easily distract our mind. Once our mind is distracted, our ability to think clearly (our intellect) can also be affected.
3. य: सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम् |
नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ||
A truly wise person is someone who stays calm and peaceful no matter what happens. They don’t get too excited when things go well, and they don’t get too upset when things go wrong.
4. कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भुर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥
You have the freedom to do your work, but don’t expect any specific outcomes. Don’t let the results of your actions be your main goal, or you’ll end up avoiding your responsibilities altogether.
5. इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहरिन्द्रियेभ्य: परं मनः |
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुध्हेः परतस्तु सः ||
Our body is controlled by our senses (like sight, hearing, touch). Our mind is stronger than our senses. But our intellect is stronger than our mind. And finally, our soul is the highest part of us, greater than our intellect.
6. परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् |
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ||
Krishna declares that he incarnates in every age to fulfill a divine purpose. This includes safeguarding the righteous, destroying evil forces, and reestablishing the principles of Dharma, or cosmic order. His appearances are not merely for the sake of humanity but to restore balance and uphold the eternal laws of the universe.
7. सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ |
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्यासि ||
Do your duty without worrying about the outcome. Whether things go well or badly, whether you win or lose, treat it all the same. By focusing on your duty and not on the results, you’ll be free from guilt and regret.
8. न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः |
न चैव न भविष्याम: सर्वे वयमत: परम् ||
Krishna asserts that the soul is eternal. This means that we, and all beings, have always existed and will continue to exist without beginning or end. Our physical bodies may change, but the soul, the true essence of our being, is immortal.
9. य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम् |
उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते ||
The Gita teaches that the soul is immortal and indestructible. Those who believe they can kill or be killed by another don’t truly understand the nature of the soul. The soul is beyond birth and death, and no harm can come to it.
10. वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि |
तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा- न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही ||
Just as we shed our old, worn-out clothes and put on new ones that better suit us, the soul, upon leaving its physical body at the time of death, transitions into a new form. This concept suggests a continuous cycle of life and rebirth, where the essence of a person – the soul – persists, even as the physical form changes. It’s as if the soul is the eternal wearer, and the body is merely clothing that is discarded when it becomes old and useless.
Conclusion
The Bhagavad Gita, an eternal interaction between Krishna and Arjuna, encapsulates the essence of Hindu philosophy. Its profound wisdom on duty, devotion, and knowledge continues to inspire countless individuals across the globe. While the Gita’s teachings are complex and layered, these quotes offer a glimpse into its profound and transformative power.
