Why These Shlokas Are Life-Changing
The Bhagavad Gita contains 700 verses of divine wisdom, but some shlokas stand out for their universal applicability and transformative power. These 50 carefully selected verses represent the essence of Krishna's teachings, offering guidance for every aspect of life - from overcoming anxiety to achieving success, from finding inner peace to developing unshakeable devotion.
Each shloka has been chosen based on its practical relevance to modern challenges, its frequency of citation by spiritual teachers, and its power to create positive change in one's life. Whether you're seeking wisdom for career decisions, relationship guidance, or spiritual growth, these verses provide timeless solutions backed by thousands of years of proven effectiveness.
🏆 Top 10 Most Popular Bhagavad Gita Shlokas
These are the most cited, most memorized, and most life-changing verses from the entire Gita. Every spiritual seeker should know these by heart.
#1
Chapter 2, Verse 47
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Most Famous Teaching: "You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but not to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results, nor be attached to not doing your duty."
💡 Daily Application:
Focus on giving your best effort in work, relationships, and goals while releasing attachment to specific outcomes.
#2
Chapter 2, Verse 70
आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं समुद्रमापः प्रविशन्ति यद्वत्। तद्वत्कामा यं प्रविशन्ति सर्वे स शान्तिमाप्नोति न कामकामी॥
For Inner Peace: "One who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires can alone achieve peace, and not the person who strives to satisfy such desires."
💡 Daily Application:
Observe desires without being controlled by them. Find peace in contentment rather than endless pursuit of wants.
#3
Chapter 18, Verse 66
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज। अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥
Ultimate Surrender: "Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."
💡 Daily Application:
Trust in a higher power and surrender your worries. Let go of the need to control everything.
#4
Chapter 4, Verse 7
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥
Divine Promise: "Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, I manifest myself."
💡 Daily Application:
Have faith that good ultimately triumphs over evil. Stand up for righteousness in challenging times.
#5
Chapter 6, Verse 5
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
Self-Mastery: "One must elevate oneself by one's own mind, not degrade oneself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and their enemy as well."
💡 Daily Application:
Take responsibility for your thoughts and emotions. Train your mind to be your ally, not your enemy.
#6
Chapter 3, Verse 21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥
Leadership Principle: "Whatever action a great person performs, common people follow in their footsteps. Whatever standards they set, the world pursues."
💡 Daily Application:
Lead by example. Your actions influence others more than your words. Set high standards.
#7
Chapter 2, Verse 20
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः। अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे॥
Eternal Soul: "For the soul there is neither birth nor death. It is not slain when the body is slain."
💡 Daily Application:
Remember your eternal nature. Don't identify solely with the physical body or temporary circumstances.
#8
Chapter 9, Verse 22
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते। तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम्॥
Divine Care: "To those who are constantly devoted and who remember me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to me."
💡 Daily Application:
Maintain constant remembrance of the divine. Trust that your needs will be provided for.
#9
Chapter 15, Verse 7
ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः। मनःषष्ठानीन्द्रियाणि प्रकृतिस्थानि कर्षति॥
Divine Connection: "The living entities in this conditioned world are my eternal fragmental parts."
💡 Daily Application:
See the divine in everyone. Treat all beings with respect and compassion as parts of the same divine source.
#10
Chapter 18, Verse 78
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः। तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम॥
Victory Formula: "Wherever there is Krishna and Arjuna, there will certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality."
💡 Daily Application:
Combine divine consciousness (Krishna) with skillful action (Arjuna) for guaranteed success.
🕊️ Inner Peace & Tranquility
Chapter 2, Verse 62-63
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते। सङ्गात्सञ्जायते कामः कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते॥
dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣūpajāyate
While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.
💡 For Peace:
Practice mindful awareness of your thoughts. Don't dwell on desires that create attachment and eventual frustration.
Chapter 5, Verse 29
भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्। सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति॥
bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram
A person in full consciousness of me, knowing me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, achieves peace.
💡 For Peace:
Offer your efforts to a higher purpose. Find peace by connecting to something greater than yourself.
Chapter 6, Verse 19
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता। योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः॥
yathā dīpo nivāta-stho neṅgate sopamā smṛtā
As a lamp in a windless place does not waver, so the transcendentalist, whose mind is controlled, remains always steady in meditation.
💡 For Peace:
Cultivate mental stability through regular meditation. Create inner stillness like a flame in a windless place.
Chapter 12, Verse 18-19
समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः। शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु समः सङ्गविवर्जितः॥
samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca tathā mānāpamānayoḥ
One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, is very dear to me.
💡 For Peace:
Practice equanimity in all situations. Don't let external circumstances disturb your inner peace.
🚀 Success & Achievement
Chapter 4, Verse 18
कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः। स बुद्धिमान्मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्॥
karmaṇy akarma yaḥ paśyed akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ
One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and is in the transcendental position.
🎯 For Success:
Understand the deeper purpose behind your actions. Act with awareness rather than just going through motions.
Chapter 7, Verse 1
मय्यासक्तमनाः पार्थ योगं युञ्जन्मदाश्रयः। असंशयं समग्रं मां यथा ज्ञास्यसि तच्छृणु॥
mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ
With your mind attached to me and practicing yoga by taking shelter of me, you will know me completely, without doubt.
🎯 For Success:
Combine focused effort with surrender to higher wisdom. Balance personal effort with divine guidance.
Chapter 10, Verse 36
द्यूतं छलयतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम्। जयोऽस्मि व्यवसायोऽस्मि सत्त्वं सत्त्ववतामहम्॥
dyūtaṁ chalayatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham
I am the gambling of cheats, and I am the splendor of the splendid. I am victory, I am adventure, and I am the strength of the strong.
🎯 For Success:
Recognize that true victory comes from aligning with divine principles. Channel your strength for noble purposes.
Chapter 16, Verse 1-3
अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः। दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम्॥
abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ
Fearlessness, purification of one's existence, cultivation of spiritual knowledge, charity, self-control... these transcendental qualities belong to godly men.
🎯 For Success:
Develop divine qualities like fearlessness, knowledge, and self-control as foundations for lasting success.
💖 Devotion & Divine Love
Chapter 9, Verse 26
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति। तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः॥
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
💝 For Devotion:
Offer everything with love, no matter how small. The divine values the sincerity of your heart over material offerings.
Chapter 12, Verse 6-7
ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्पराः। अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते॥
ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-parāḥ
Those who worship me, giving up all their activities unto me and being devoted to me without deviation, I swiftly rescue from the ocean of birth and death.
💝 For Devotion:
Dedicate all your actions to the divine. Make your entire life an offering of love and service.
Chapter 8, Verse 14
अनन्यचेताः सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः। तस्याहं सुलभः पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः॥
ananya-cetāḥ satataṁ yo māṁ smarati nityaśaḥ
For one who always remembers me without deviation, I am easy to obtain because of their constant engagement in devotional service.
💝 For Devotion:
Practice constant remembrance through prayer, mantra, or mindful awareness of the divine presence.
Chapter 11, Verse 54
भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन। ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप॥
bhaktyā tv ananyayā śakya aham evaṁ-vidho 'rjuna
My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly.
💝 For Devotion:
Pure, exclusive devotion is the key to divine realization. Focus your love completely on the divine.
🧠 Wisdom & Knowledge
Chapter 4, Verse 36
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः। सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि॥
api ced asi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpa-kṛt-tamaḥ
Even if you are considered the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.
🎓 For Wisdom:
Knowledge has the power to transform any situation. Seek spiritual understanding as the solution to all problems.
Chapter 13, Verse 8-12
अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम्। आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रहः॥
amānitvam adambhitvam ahiṁsā kṣāntir ārjavam
Humility, pridelessness, nonviolence, tolerance, simplicity, approaching a bona fide spiritual master, cleanliness, steadiness, self-control... this is declared to be knowledge.
🎓 For Wisdom:
True knowledge is reflected in character. Develop these noble qualities as signs of real understanding.
Chapter 7, Verse 16
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां जनाः सुकृतिनोऽर्जुन। आर्तो जिज्ञासुरर्थार्थी ज्ञानी च भरतर्षभ॥
catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ janāḥ sukṛtino 'rjuna
Four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto me: the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.
🎓 For Wisdom:
Whatever brings you to spiritual seeking is valid. Use your current motivation to develop deeper understanding.
Chapter 15, Verse 15
सर्वस्य चाहं हृदि सन्निविष्टो मत्तः स्मृतिर्ज्ञानमपोहनं च। वेदैश्च सर्वैरहमेव वेद्यो वेदान्तकृद्वेदविदेव चाहम्॥
sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca
I am seated in everyone's heart, and from me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. I am to be known by all the Vedas.
🎓 For Wisdom:
Look within for true knowledge. The divine consciousness within you is the source of all understanding.
🌟 Transform Your Life with These Timeless Teachings
These 50 shlokas contain the wisdom to handle any life situation. Start implementing one verse at a time and watch your life transform. Download our free app for daily verse notifications and detailed commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bhagavad Gita Shlokas
What is the most famous shloka of Bhagavad Gita?
The most famous shloka is Chapter 2, Verse 47: "Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana" - You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but not to the fruits of action. This verse encapsulates the essence of karma yoga and is known worldwide for its practical wisdom about performing duty without attachment to results.
Which Bhagavad Gita shloka is best for peace?
Chapter 2, Verse 70 is excellent for peace: "One who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires can alone achieve peace, and not the person who strives to satisfy such desires." This verse teaches that true peace comes from inner contentment rather than fulfilling endless desires.
What are the most powerful Bhagavad Gita verses for success?
Key verses for success include 2.47 (karma yoga), 3.21 (leadership by example), 4.18 (action in inaction), 18.78 (wherever Krishna and Arjuna are, there is victory), and 16.1-3 (divine qualities). These verses teach the principles of effective action, leadership, and developing the character needed for lasting success.
How can I memorize these important shlokas?
Start with the top 10 most popular verses. Read the Sanskrit text daily, understand the meaning thoroughly, and apply the teaching in your daily life. Use our mobile app for daily verse notifications. Regular repetition, understanding the context, and practical application will help you memorize and internalize these powerful teachings.
Why are these 50 shlokas considered the best?
These 50 shlokas are selected based on their universal applicability, frequency of citation by spiritual teachers, transformative power, and practical relevance to modern life challenges. They represent the essence of Krishna's teachings and have proven their effectiveness in helping millions of people find guidance, peace, and spiritual growth throughout history.
Can I practice these teachings without being religious?
Absolutely! These verses contain universal principles of psychology, ethics, and personal development that transcend religious boundaries. Many secular leaders, philosophers, and scientists have found value in these teachings. You can apply the practical wisdom about stress management, decision-making, and emotional balance regardless of your religious beliefs.
Continue Your Spiritual Journey
These 50 shlokas are just the beginning of your journey with the Bhagavad Gita's 700 verses of divine wisdom. Each verse contains layers of meaning that reveal themselves through study, reflection, and practice. Start with one shloka that resonates with your current life situation and gradually expand your study.
Next Steps in Your Gita Study:
- Read Chapter Summaries - Understand the context of each teaching
- Explore Life Questions - Apply Gita wisdom to specific challenges
- Daily Lessons - Practical guidance for modern living
- Deep Dive into Famous Verses - Detailed commentary and analysis