The Bhagavad Gita is more than a spiritual text. It is a handbook for confronting the challenges of daily life. In this speedy world, stress and anxiety can feel insurmountable. Everyone in the USA and worldwide is turning to mindfulness and self-help, but they do not realise one of the most down-to-earth insights can come from India’s ancient text, the Shloka from Geeta.
Bhagawat Gita Verse 2.47 – Duty Without Attachment
Verse:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi
Translation:
You have a right to your prescribed duty, but you do not have a right to the fruits of action. You should never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to not doing your duty.
How To Follow In Daily Life:
This verse is just right for dealing with stress while working or going to school. It encourages us to devote ourselves to the effort, not the results; or, in modern English, to do your best but don’t get hung up on results you can’t control. This approach helps with anxiety and improves productivity.
Download Bhagawat Gita As It Is in PDF format.
Bhagawat Gita Verse 6.5 – Self-Upliftment
Verse:
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet
ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ
Translation:
A person has to use his own mind to deliver himself, and not degrade himself. The mind can function as the conditioned soul’s friend and enemy.
How To Follow In Daily Life:
This verse highlights self-care and responsibility. In the world we live in today, mental health is critically important. Your mind is capable of lifting you up or pulling you down. Through discipline, meditation, and positive thinking, it is possible to make your mind an ally instead of an enemy.
Bhagawat Gita Verse 12.15 – Peachful Living
Verse:
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः।
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः॥yasmān nodvijate loko lokān nodvijate cha yaḥ
harṣhāmarṣha-bhayodvegair mukto yaḥ sa cha me priyaḥ
Translation:
That person who does not bring about difficulty for others and who is not disturbed by others, who is the same in happiness and distress, fear and anxiety is very dear to me.
How To Follow In Daily Life:
This verse emphasizes emotional steadiness. If you can remain calm in the ups and downs of life, then not only do you live in peace you create a peaceful atmosphere around you. In our day-to-day lives, this will look like being gentle, stable, and not allowing small triggers to access your sense of inner peace.
Bhagawat Gita Verse 18.66 – Surrender for Inner Freedom
Verse:
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ
Translation:
Abandon all varieties of religion (Religion it does not mean Hindu, Muslim, Christian, etc. Geeta sees religion differently) and just surrender to Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
How To Follow In Daily Life:
This verse suggests a practice of trust and letting go. When you have so much on your plate, recognizing that you cannot control it all (and letting go of some control) and having faith that things will work out, can be relieving. It frees your mind and releases the dread of fear.
Bhagawat Gita Verse 6.6 – Mastering the Mind
Verse:
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः।
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्॥bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ
anātmanas tu śhatrutve vartetātmaiva śhatru-vat
Translation:
For the conqueror of the mind, it becomes the best of friends. For the one who has not achieved this mind fortitude, the mind will be the greatest foe.
How To Follow In Daily Life:
This verse is especially helpful in a US context where distractions, stress, and overstimulation are becoming the norm. Mastery over the mind results in greater productivity at work, better relationships, and improved resilience to anxiety. Meditation, mindful breathing, and conscious living all help us to turn the mind into an ally, rather than an adversary.
Tips To Apply All Verses In The Real World
The key to incorporating the Gita into your life is through practice. Consider reciting one verse each day, or each morning, then taking time to reflect on what it means for you and your life during breaks at work, or at different times in the day.
When stressful moments arise, try to remember the Gita’s messages and ideals. For example, if results do not get your way, you might refer to Verse 2.47.
When your mind is restless and you seek inner peace, you might think of Verse 6.5. For conflict, you might refer to Verse 12.15 regarding calmness. Before sleeping, you could refer to Verse 18.66 to wash away the day’s worries. Lastly, throughout the day, reflect on Verse 6.6 for discipline and mindfulness.
In Short (Conclusion):
The Bhagavad Gita is not intended just for temples or scholars. It can be a daily resource for peace, clarity, and resilience. The mere act of adding simple shlokas to your daily regimen can provide you with ways to decrease and cope with stress, enhance focus, and live balanced lives.
