Shloka:कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।(Chapter 2, Verse 47)Meaning: You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.Lesson: Focus on your duties without attachment to the outcomes. This promotes a sense of peace and fulfillment.

Karma Yoga

Shloka:उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।(Chapter 6, Verse 5)Meaning: One must elevate oneself by one's own mind; one should not degrade oneself.Lesson: Self-improvement is essential; we are responsible for our own spiritual progress.

The Importance of Action

Shloka:नैनं छिद्रन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः।(Chapter 2, Verse 23)Meaning: The soul cannot be cut by weapons, burned by fire, wetted by water, or dried by the wind.Lesson: The soul is eternal and indestructible; understanding this helps alleviate fear of death.

The Eternal Soul

Shloka:यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।(Chapter 4, Verse 7)Meaning: Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, I manifest myself.Lesson: Divine intervention occurs when moral order is threatened; it reassures believers of divine support.

Righteousness

Shloka:क्रोधाद्भवति संमोहः संमोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः।(Chapter 2, Verse 63)Meaning: From anger comes delusion; from delusion arises confusion of memory; from confusion of memory arises loss of intelligence.Lesson: Anger leads to a loss of rationality; controlling emotions is crucial for clarity and wisdom.

Anger and Delusion

Shloka:नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः।(Chapter 2, Verse 16)Meaning: There is no existence for the unreal; the real never ceases to exist.Lesson: Understanding the distinction between the eternal (real) and the temporary (unreal) is key to spiritual wisdom.

The Nature of Reality

Shloka:यः सर्वत्र समं दृष्ट्वा आत्मानं स पण्डितः।(Chapter 5, Verse 18)Meaning: The wise see all beings as equal; they see themselves in all beings.Lesson: Cultivating equanimity fosters compassion and understanding among all living beings.

Equanimity

Shloka:श्रद्धावान्ल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः।(Chapter 4, Verse 39)Meaning: A faithful person who controls their senses obtains knowledge and soon attains supreme peace.Lesson: Faith and self-control are essential for acquiring true knowledge and achieving inner peace.

The Path to Knowledge

Shloka:सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मां एकं सरणं व्रज।(Chapter 18, Verse 66)Meaning: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me.Lesson: Complete surrender to God leads to liberation from sin and suffering.

The Power of Surrender

Shloka:यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।(Chapter 3, Verse 21)Meaning: Whatever action a leader performs, others follow suit.Lesson: Leaders must act responsibly as their actions set examples for others.

The Role of a Leader

Shloka:मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि।(Chapter 18, Verse 58)Meaning: With your mind focused on Me, you will overcome all obstacles by My grace.Lesson: Faith in divine guidance helps in overcoming life's challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

Shloka:विषयाः विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिनः।(Chapter 2, Verse 59)Meaning: The senses withdraw from their objects for one who abstains from food but not for one who merely refrains from eating.Lesson: True control over desires comes from inner strength rather than mere external restraint.

The Nature of Desire

Shloka:ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः।(Chapter 5, Verse 16)Meaning: Those who have knowledge dispel ignorance; their consciousness is illuminated by wisdom.Lesson: Knowledge is transformative; it dispels ignorance and leads to liberation.

True Knowledge

Shloka:अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत।(Chapter 2, Verse 28)Meaning: All beings are unmanifest before birth and manifest at birth; they become unmanifest again at death.Lesson: Life is cyclical; understanding this helps in accepting life's transient nature.

The Essence of Life

Shloka:सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो मद्दृष्टे: सर्वभूतानि।(Chapter 15, Verse 15)Meaning: I am seated in everyone's heart; from Me comes remembrance, knowledge, and forgetfulness.Lesson: God resides within all beings; recognizing this fosters unity and compassion among people.

The Nature of God

Shloka:आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत।(Chapter 2, Verse 14)Meaning:Endure the dualities of happiness and distress as they come and go like winter and summer seasons.Lesson:Patience in facing life's ups and downs is essential for spiritual growth.

Embracing Change

Shloka:उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।(Chapter 6, Verse 5)Meaning:One must elevate oneself by one's own mind.Lesson:The mind can be both friend and enemy; mastering it is crucial for success.

The Mind's Power

Shloka:यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते।(Chapter 14, Verse 22)Meaning:One who is free from egoism remains unattached even while performing actions.Lesson:Ego detachment leads to peace and harmony in life.

Finding Peace

Shloka:मन मनाभव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु।(Chapter 18, Verse 65)Meaning: Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me, and offer your homage unto Me.Lesson: This emphasizes the importance of devotion and surrender to God for spiritual growth.

Devotion

Shloka:बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते।(Chapter 5, Verse 10)Meaning:One who performs their duty without attachment is not affected by sinful action.Lesson:Acting without attachment purifies one's actions.

Spiritual Awakening

The Bhagavad Gita, a revered scripture in Hindu philosophy, contains numerous shlokas (verses) that impart profound wisdom on life, duty, and spirituality. Here are 20 of the greatest shlokas from the Gita, along with their meanings and lessons:

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

philosophy

Philosophy

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

books

Books

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

The Essence of Life

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The Meaning of Life

The Question of Free Will