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Top 10 Shlokas of Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita Shlok, is a timeless philosophical and spiritual guide, containing profound teachings about life, duty, and the ultimate purpose. It consists of 700 verses spread across 18 chapters, delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
These Bhagavad Gita verses encapsulate deep wisdom, offering solutions to various life challenges. In this article, we will delve into the top 10 shlokas of Bhagavad Gita, exploring their meanings, lessons, and how they can guide us in our daily lives.
The Bhagavad Gita first shloka sets the tone for the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, marking the start of a transformative journey for humanity. Each verse in the Gita offers valuable insights on topics like duty (dharma), devotion (bhakti), and the eternal soul (atman).
Since Gita Jayanti, just passed by, Here are some Gita Jayanti quotes and wishes to get insights about living a balanced and peaceful life.
Let's explore the best shlok in Geeta and discover how these verses serve as powerful tools for self-realization and spiritual awakening.
How many Shlokas are there in Bhagavad Gita?
While the Gita contains a total of 700 verses, these shlokas are often categorized into various sections, including Karma Yoga (the yoga of action), Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion), and Jnana Yoga (the yoga of knowledge). Each verse in the Gita holds great significance and offers timeless wisdom for living a balanced, harmonious life.
Here are the top 10 Gita shlok in English for better understanding:
10 best Bhagavad Gita Shlokas
1. Chapter 2, Verse 47:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।।
Karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana,
Mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo'stvakarmaṇi.
Meaning:
You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results, nor should you be attached to inaction.
Lesson:
This shloka serves as a Bhagavad Gita motivational quote for students. It teaches the importance of performing one's duty without attachment to the outcome. It encourages us to focus on our actions, leaving the results to the divine will, thus freeing us from stress and worry.
2. Chapter 4, Verse 7-8:
यदाहि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।।
Yadāhi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata,
Abhyutthānamadharmasya tadātmānaṃ sṛjāmyaham.
Meaning:
Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I manifest myself on earth.
Lesson:
Lord Krishna assures that whenever righteousness declines and evil prevails, he incarnates to restore balance. This powerful message gives us hope, reminding us that justice and truth will eventually triumph.
3. Chapter 9, Verse 22:
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते।
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्।।
Ananyāścintayanto māṃ ye janāḥ paryupāsate,
Teṣāṃ nityābhiyuktānāṃ yogakṣemaṃ vahāmyaham.
Meaning:
To those who are constantly devoted and who always think of Me, I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.
Lesson:
This verse emphasizes the power of devotion and trust in God. Lord Krishna assures that those who devote themselves to him will never lack anything, and he will take care of their needs.
4. Chapter 18, Verse 66:
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहम् त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः।।
Sarvadharmān parityajya māmekam śaraṇam vraja,
Aham tvāṃ sarvapāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucah.
Meaning:
Abandon all varieties of righteousness and just surrender unto Me alone. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.
Lesson:
This verse teaches the ultimate path of surrender to the divine will. By surrendering completely, one is liberated from all doubts, fears, and past sins.
5. Chapter 3, Verse 16:
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह य:।
अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति।।
Evaṃ pravartitaṃ chakraṃ nānuvartayitīha yaḥ,
Aghāyurindriyārāmo mogham pārtha sa jīvati.
Meaning:
Arjuna, he who does not follow the wheel of creation set of going in this world, sinful and sensual, lives in pain.
Lesson:
This verse serves as one of the best karma Bhagavad Gita quotes. It highlights the importance of following the righteous path and performing one's duties. Ignoring this leads to suffering, both in this life and the next.
6. Chapter 2, Verse 19:
य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम्।
उभौ तौ न विजानीतो नायं हन्ति न हन्यते।।
Ya enaṃ vetti hantāraṃ yaśca enaṃ manyate hatam,
Ubhautau na vijānīto nāyaṃ hanti na hanyate.
Meaning:
He who thinks that the soul kills and he who thinks of it as killed are both ignorant. The soul kills not, nor is it killed.
Lesson:
This verse teaches the eternal nature of the soul. The body may perish, but the soul is immortal and indestructible, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth over material attachment.
7. Chapter 2, Verse 70:
आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रमापः प्रवृत्तिमेवाम्।
य: सर्वेन्द्रियाणि मनसा संयम्य, आस्थितमात्मन्येव सन्तुष्टम्।।
Āpūryamāṇam acalapratishṭhaṃ samudramāpaḥ pravṛttim evaṃ,
Yaḥ sarve indriyāṇi manasā saṅyamya, āsthitaṃ ātmany eva saṃtuṣṭam.
Meaning:
A person who is content with the self, who has mastered the senses and is undisturbed, finds ultimate peace like the ocean that is unaffected by rivers flowing into it.
Lesson:
True peace comes from mastering the senses and being content within oneself, unaffected by external circumstances.
8. Chapter 12, Verse 15:
य: सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्रप्य शुभाशुभम्।
नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता।।
Yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehastattatprāpya śubhāśubham,
Nābinandati na dveṣṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā.
Meaning:
One who is free from attachment, who does not rejoice or grieve upon obtaining good or bad results, has established wisdom.
Lesson:
This shloka teaches equanimity. A wise person remains unaffected by joy or sorrow, as they have detached themselves from the material results of actions.
9. Chapter 18, Verse 11:
न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते।।
Nahi dehbhṛtā śakyaṃ tyaktuṃ karmāṇyaśeṣataḥ,
Yastu karmaphalatyaagī sa tyāgītyabhidhīyate.
Meaning:
One who is embodied cannot renounce all action. But, he who renounces the fruits of action is said to have truly renounced.
Lesson:
This shloka stresses that one cannot avoid action in life. However, true renunciation comes from detaching oneself from the fruits of action, which is the key to spiritual progress. In this case, Bhagavad Gita 6 chapter is important as well, to highlight the power of meditation or dhyana to control your mind.
10. Chapter 7, Verse 19:
बहूनां जन्मनांन्ते ज्ञानेवान्मांप्रपद्यते।
वसुदेवः सर्वमिति स महात्मा सुदुर्लभ:।।
Bahūnāṃ janmanāṃ ante jñānevān māṃ prapadyate,
Vasudevaḥ sarvamiti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ.
Meaning:
After many lifetimes, the wise person surrenders to Me, realizing that I am the ultimate truth. Such a great soul is rare.
Lesson:
This verse highlights the rare and precious nature of true wisdom and devotion. It emphasizes that a person who finally recognizes the ultimate truth (the divine essence in all) and surrenders to it, having gone through countless lives of learning and growth, is truly enlightened.
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FAQs
What is the most important shloka in Bhagavad Gita?
The most important sloka in the Bhagavad Gita is 'अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते' or 'Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate'. This verse from Chapter 10, Verse 8 encapsulates the oneness of the Divine. Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna that He is the ultimate cause behind everything in the universe whether it is the material world or the spiritual realms.
What is the powerful mantra of the Bhagavad Gita?
"Om Tat Sat" is one of the most powerful and important shlokas of Gita from Chapter 17, Verse 23. Here, Lord Krishna talks about the different types of sacrifices that can be performed in this world. Om Tat Sat" is a mantra that represents the ultimate goal of all spiritual practices—union with the Divine and realization of the absolute truth.
What is the most famous line from the Bhagavad Gita?
A famous line from the Bhagavad Gita is "Karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana" (Chapter 2, Verse 47). One of the best quotes from Bhagavad Gita, it teaches the importance of performing one's duties selflessly without attachment to the results. It is one of the foundational teachings of the Gita.
What is the powerful shlok of Krishna?
Om Shri Krishnaaya Sharanam Mama (Chapter 18, Verse 66) is considered a powerful verse and one of the Bhagavad Gita best shlokas. It captures the essence of surrender to the Divine to achieve liberation. It teaches that true peace and freedom are attained when we give up our ego and surrender all our actions and outcomes to God.
How do I call Lord Krishna for help?
Lord Krishna can be called for help through sincere prayer, meditation, and chanting mantras such as "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare". Surrendering your worries and seeking His guidance in times of need will bring peace and solace.
Also read: Chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra: Steps & Best Time
Final thoughts
The top 10 shlokas of Bhagavad Gita provide timeless wisdom that is still relevant in today's world. Each verse carries a unique message that can guide us through life's challenges, teaching us to act with devotion, wisdom, and detachment. These teachings from best shlok in Geeta inspire us to perform our duties selflessly, recognize the eternal truth, and remain equanimous in the face of success or failure.
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