20 Life-Changing Bhagavad Gita slokas (verses) with Meaning and Lessons

Bhagavad Gita is the Hindu scripture written by the sage Ved Vyasa. Bhagavad Gita is a part of the epic war of Mahabharata where Pandavas and Kauravas were fighting the war against each other. During the war, Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, got nervous on the battlefield seeing his family members and teachers as his opponents. He decided not to fight the war and abandoned his duty as a warrior. At this point, Lord Krishna, a friend and a mentor to Arjun helped Arjun to clarify his doubts.

Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani Chapter 2 verse 47

Lord Krishna guided Arjun about his duties. Lord Krishna advises Arjun to do his duty without thinking of its result. Lord Krishna gave many life lessons to Arjun. Which are relevant even in today’s era. The conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjun came to be known as the Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is also called “the song of god”. The holy book of Bhagavad Gita consists of 18th chapters and 700 slokas ( verses). All the slokas ( verses) have their meaning and significance. But today we will explore the 20 most important Bhagavad Gita slokas (verses) and their meanings.

1. vāsāṁsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya navāni gṛhṇāti naro ’parāṇi tathā śarīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇāny anyāni saṁyāti navāni dehī Chapter 2 verse 22

This verse throws light on the fact that just like a person casts off his old clothes and takes on new clothes. Same way the embodied soul casts off the old body and takes up a new body.

2. bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānāṁ tayāpahṛta-cetasām vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ samādhau na vidhīyate Chapter 2 verse 44

This verse means that a person who is too attached to worldly pleasure and controlled by the senses cannot get connected with god and serve their devotional serves to the supreme god.

3. yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate Chapter 3 verse 21

This verse means that every action is taken by a great person, and the common People follow it. The standards set by the leaders are obeyed by the world. Therefore, we should always do our duty by giving our best so that others can be inspired by it.

4. śrī-bhagavān uvāca kāma eṣa krodhaeṣarajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥmahāśano mahā-pāpmāviddhy enam iha vairiṇam Chapter 3 verse 37

The Supreme Lord said It is the lust which is born of contact of the material sources which later gets transformed into wrath. And this is the self-distracting and sinful enemy of the world.

5. yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham Chapter 4 verse 7

In this verse, Lord Krishna said, that whenever there is will increase in evil in this world and a decline in righteous practices, will will descend himself.

6. ye hi saṁsparśa-jā bhogā duḥkha-yonaya eva te ādy-antavantaḥ kaunteya na teṣu ramate budhaḥ Chapter 5 verse 22

A wise person does not get involved in worldly miseries raised due to the contact of the senses. He does not fi nd any pleasure in worldly matters rather he seeks pleasure in devotion to god.

7. janma karma ca me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna Chapter 4 verse 9

The person who knows the true nature of the soul that is the soul is eternal and a part of god. It cannot be harmed by anything, do not take birth again and again. He enters the eternal abode of god.

8. yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā Chapter 6 verse 17

The one who can control the habit of eating, sleeping, work and recreation can mitigate the material pain and can practice yoga. The one who is balanced in every activity can live a peaceful life.

9. mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva Chapter 7 verse 7

This verse highlights the fact that nothing is separate from god. Everything is connected with god just like pearls are connected with the thread.

10. tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu mām anusmara yudhya ca mayy arpita-mano-buddhir mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayaḥ Chapter 8 verse 7

In this verse, Lord Krishna said to Arjun that he should think of Lord Krishna every time and deliver his duty of fi ghting. With his actions dedicated to him like a gift, he could attain him without any doubt.

11. rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ pavitram idam uttamam pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam Chapter 9 verse 2

This knowledge of knowing the self is the king of education. The most secret of all secrets. It is pure knowledge because it gives the perception of the self by god realisation.

12. patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ Chapter 9 verse 26

The verse tells us that god only wants true devotion and love from his devotees. If we off er even a single leaf to god with full devotion and love, god will accept it.

13. ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate iti matvā bhajante māṁ budhā bhāva-samanvitāḥ Chapter 10 verse 8

The Lord said, everything evolved from him and he is the source of all spiritual and material world.

14. bhaktyā tv ananyayā śakya aham evaṁ-vidho ’rjuna jñātuṁ draṣṭuṁ ca tattvena praveṣṭuṁ ca parantapa Chapter 11 verse 54

This verse means that god can be understood only through undivided devotion.

15. mayy eva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṁ niveśaya nivasiṣyasi mayy eva ata ūrdhvaṁ na saṁśayaḥ Chapter 12 verse 8

This verse tells us that we should focus and dedicate ourselves to the supreme lord to attain the ultimate bliss.

16. māṁ ca yo ’vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate Chapter 14 verse 26

The supreme Lord Krishna said, that the one who engages himself in full devotional service, who does not down in any circumstances, attains the level of a Brahman.

17. nirmāna-mohā jita-saṅga-doṣā adhyātma-nityā vinivṛtta-kāmāḥ dvandvair vimuktāḥ sukha-duḥkha-saṁjñair gacchanty amūḍhāḥ padam avyayaṁ tat Chapter 15 verse 5

The one who is balanced in all situations, who is free from ego, illusion and false prestige, who knows the true knowledge of the soul is dear to god.

18. sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo vedānta-kṛd veda-vid eva cāham. Chapter 15 verse 15

In this verse, Lord Krishna said that he is seated in everyone’s heart. Remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness come from him. He is the compiler of all Vedas.

19. śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam Chapter 18 verse 42

Self-control, peacefulness, purity, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, austerity and righteousness, are the qualities that a man should work on.

20. īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā Chapter 18 verse 61

In this verse, Lord Krishna said, he resides in everyone’s heart. He is directing the wandering of all living beings.

Learn the Bhagavad Gita for daily life

The Bhagavad Gita is not just a religious book but it also gives a practical approach to live a life. The learnings of the Bhagavad Gita teach us to be calm in any diffi cult situation. It teaches us to render our duty without expecting the fruit of its action. The Bhagavad Gita lessons also teach us how to face any situation in life by standing on our principles and values. “The Little Yogi’ the world’s fi rst Gita course off ered by Bambinos.live is a unique course that spreads the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita through beautiful stories, images and slokas which gives an opportunity to children to receive the precious knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita and Indian culture and tradition in an easy and interesting manner. Be a part of this wonderful journey and explore the world of mythological stories.

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Article Author

Soumi Dey

Soumi is an accomplished Gita, Mathematics and English educator who is also passionate about writing articles and stories. She creates a positive and engaging learning atmosphere. She uses her knowledge to guide each student through their educational journey, ensuring they feel confident and motivated. She emphasises and focuses on each and every learner's needs, helping them build a strong foundation and unlock their full potential.

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