Bhagavad Gita Quotes & Timeless Teachings

Introduction

The Bhagavad Gita or simply the Gita, is a sacred scripture of the Hindu religion that contains numerous profound teachings and insights. It is a spiritual discourse that transcends the boundaries of time, culture and creed, addressing fundamental questions that have intrigued humanity since time immemorial. Without doubt, it is difficult to definitively rank the “most important” Bhagavad Gita quotes and teachings, as different verses may resonate more deeply with individuals based on their personal beliefs and interpretations. However, here is a cherry picking of the most significant nuggets of wisdom from this timeless Hindu treasure.

^{Featured Image: Ms Sarah Welch, Bhagavad Gita Grantha script Sanskrit, CC BY-SA 4.0}

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Introduction
Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Selfless Action & Duty
Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Devotion & Surrender
Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Knowledge & Wisdom
Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Meditation & Mind Control
Bhagavad Gita Quotes About the Nature of the Soul
Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Lust, Power & Anger
Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Selfless Action & Duty

“You have the right to perform your actions, but you are not entitled to the fruits of the actions.” (Chapter 2, Verse 47)

“Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction.” (Chapter 3, Verse 8)

“Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.” (Chapter 2, Verse 48)

“On this path effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort towards spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear.” (Chapter 2, Verse 40)

Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Devotion & Surrender

“But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have.” (Chapter 9, Verse 22)

“The person who has surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, and has thus transcended the modes of material nature remains unaffected by the dualities of pleasure and pain.” (Chapter 14, Verse 26)

“He who has let go of hatred, who treats all beings with kindness and compassion, who is always serene, unmoved by pain or pleasure, free of the “I” and “mine,” self-controlled, firm and patient, his whole mind focused on Me—that is the man I love best.” (Chapter 12, Verses 13-14)

Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Knowledge & Wisdom

“The wise sees knowledge and action as one; they see truly.” (Chapter 5, Verse 4)

“One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.” (Chapter 4, Verse 18)

“There is neither this world nor the world beyond nor happiness for the one who doubts.” (Chapter 4, Verse 40)

“Whatever happened, happened for the good. Whatever is happening, is happening for the good and whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the future. The present is happening.” (Chapter 2, Verse 47)

“The mind is restless and difficult to restrain, but it is subdued by practice.” (Chapter 6, Verse 35)

“The senses are higher than the body, the mind higher than the senses; above the mind is the intellect, and above the intellect is the Atman.” (Chapter 3, Verse 42)

Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Meditation & Mind Control

“The yogi who is devoted to the practice of meditation and whose mind is fixed on Me attains the highest perfection of transcendental happiness.” (Chapter 6, Verse 27)

“When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place.” (Chapter 6, Verse 19)

“The power of God is with you at all times; through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions; and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument.” (Chapter 3, Verse 30)

Bhagavad Gita Quotes About the Nature of the Soul

“The soul is neither born, nor does it die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.” (Chapter 2, Verse 20)

“That which pervades the entire body, know it to be indestructible. No one is able to destroy the imperishable soul.” (Chapter 2, Verse 17)

“The embodied soul is eternal in existence, indestructible, and infinite, only the material body is factually perishable, therefore fight, O Arjuna.” (Chapter 2, Verse 18)

“The self-controlled soul, who moves amongst sense objects, free from either attachment or repulsion, he wins eternal Peace.” (Chapter 2, Verse 64)

Bhagavad Gita Quotes About Lust, Power & Anger

“Desire, born of the senses, passion and anger, is the great devourer, the all-consuming enemy in this world.” (Chapter 3, Verse 37)

“For, O Arjuna, lust, anger, and greed are the three gates of hell leading to the downfall of the soul. Therefore, one must abandon these three.” (Chapter 16, Verse 21)

“The soul who harbors desires only for the fruits of action becomes entangled. The wise one should do work with devotion, renouncing attachment to the fruits.” (Chapter 2, Verse 49)

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” (Chapter 11, Verse 32) [This quote is often interpreted in the context of power and its consequences.]

“One who is not disturbed in mind even amidst the threefold miseries or elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.” (Chapter 2, Verse 56)

“A person is said to be still further advanced when he regards all—the honest well-wisher, friends and enemies, the envious, the pious, the sinner and those who are indifferent and impartial—with an equal mind.” (Chapter 6, Verse 9)

Bhagavad Gita Quotes — ^{Ms Sarah Welch, 1800 CE manuscript copy, 2nd century BCE Bhagavad Gita, Schoyen Collection Norway,}
^{CC BY-SA 4.0}

Conclusion

The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita remind us of the eternal truths that transcend the boundaries of time and space. Teachings about the inherent divinity residing within us, urging us to cultivate compassion and wisdom in our journey through life.

Let us carry forth its timeless wisdom in our hearts and minds, endeavoring to live with integrity, purpose, and devotion. May we walk the path of righteousness with courage and conviction, as we navigate towards the dawn of our spiritual awakening.