Teach your children timeless wisdom from the Gita through easy-to-understand stories, fun activities, and meaningful life lessons
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most beloved books in the world, cherished for thousands of years. But what is it about? Imagine a brave prince named Arjuna who is about to face the biggest challenge of his life. He stands in the middle of a huge battlefield, feeling scared and confused. He does not want to fight because the people on the other side are his own relatives and teachers.
Right beside Arjuna is his best friend and chariot driver, Lord Krishna. Krishna is no ordinary friend — he is wise, kind, and always knows the right thing to say. When Arjuna tells Krishna he wants to give up, Krishna does not scold him. Instead, Krishna lovingly teaches Arjuna some of the most important lessons anyone can learn.
Their conversation is the Bhagavad Gita. Even though it takes place on a battlefield, the lessons are about life — about being brave, being good, working hard, and treating everyone with love and respect. These lessons are just as helpful for kids today as they were for Arjuna thousands of years ago.
The Gita is part of a much larger story called the Mahabharata, which is one of the longest poems ever written. The Gita itself has 700 verses spread across 18 chapters, and each chapter teaches something special.
Long ago in ancient India, there were two groups of cousins — the Pandavas (five good brothers) and the Kauravas (one hundred brothers who did not always do the right thing). The eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, was honest and fair. The eldest Kaurava, Duryodhana, was jealous and greedy.
Duryodhana cheated the Pandavas out of their kingdom and refused to give it back, even when everyone asked him nicely. After trying everything to make peace, the Pandavas had no choice but to fight for what was right.
Arjuna, the third Pandava and the greatest archer in the world, rode onto the battlefield with Krishna as his chariot driver. But when Arjuna saw his grandfathers, teachers, and cousins standing on the other side, he felt terribly sad.
Krishna then begins to teach Arjuna, chapter by chapter, the wisdom of the Gita. He teaches him about the soul, about doing the right thing, about being brave, about staying calm, and about how everything in the universe is connected. By the end, Arjuna understands what he must do and is ready to face his challenge with confidence.
Pick something you enjoy — drawing, writing, or a sport. Do it for 20 minutes without worrying about how it turns out. Just enjoy the process. Notice how much better it feels when you focus on doing rather than winning.
This week, try being extra kind to someone you do not usually talk to. Say hello, ask how they are doing, or share something. Notice how it makes both of you feel. Write about it in a journal.
Think of something you find difficult — maybe a math problem, a sport, or learning a new skill. Instead of saying "I cannot do this," say "I cannot do this yet, but I will keep trying." Practice this for one week and see how much you improve.
At this age, children learn best through stories and imagination. Focus on telling the story of Arjuna and Krishna as a friendship adventure. Use simple language and relate lessons to their daily life — sharing toys, being kind at school, helping parents. Read or tell one short Gita story at bedtime each week. Picture books and animated versions of the Mahabharata work well at this age.
Children at this age can begin to grasp basic philosophical concepts when explained simply. Introduce the ideas of karma (your actions matter), dharma (doing the right thing), and the soul (the real you inside). Encourage them to ask questions — the Gita itself began because Arjuna asked questions! Use the Gita's verses for students to connect teachings with schoolwork.
Preteens can engage with the Gita's teachings about self-control, emotional management, and purpose. Connect Gita teachings to challenges they face — peer pressure, exam stress, friendships, and identity. Discuss concepts like detachment (not being controlled by things you want), meditation (calming your mind), and self-discipline. Encourage them to keep a Gita journal.
Teenagers can read simplified translations of the Gita and engage with its deeper philosophical content. Discuss the different paths of yoga — karma yoga (action), bhakti yoga (devotion), and jnana yoga (knowledge). Explore how Gita teachings relate to modern life decisions, career choices, and relationships. Encourage them to explore the best slokas from the Gita on their own.
Give each child a small pot and some seeds. Every time they do a good deed during the week — helping someone, being honest, finishing homework — they water their plant. As the plant grows, they can see their good karma growing too. This makes the concept of karma visible and tangible for young learners.
Give your child a small notebook called "My Courage Journal." Every evening, they write down one brave thing they did that day — raising their hand in class, trying a new food, talking to a new friend, or standing up for someone. Over time, they will see how brave they really are, just like Arjuna.
Pick one short verse per month, like BG 2.47 (karmanye vadhikaraste). Write it on a colorful card and practice saying it together every day. By the end of the year, your child will know 12 important Sanskrit verses! This builds memory skills and creates a lifelong connection with Sanskrit.
When your child faces a dilemma — a fight with a friend, trouble at school, or feeling jealous — ask them: "What would Krishna tell Arjuna about this?" This simple question teaches children to pause, think, and apply Gita wisdom to real situations. You can use this during car rides, at dinner, or before bedtime.
Ask children to illustrate their favorite Gita stories or lessons. They could draw Arjuna on his chariot, Krishna teaching, the universe as a necklace of pearls, or their own "karma garden." Art helps children process and remember these teachings in a creative, personal way.
Take a walk in nature and point out how different living things are — tall trees, tiny insects, flowing rivers, colorful birds. Then remind them of Krishna's teaching that everything is connected and deserves respect. Ask them to say one kind thought about each living thing they see. This activity brings BG 5.18 to life.
Learning a few Sanskrit verses helps children feel connected to this ancient tradition. Here are three short, meaningful shlokas that are easy for kids to memorize and recite.
The Bhagavad Gita is not just an ancient book — it is a practical guide for building strong character. Here is how its teachings develop specific qualities in children:
Arjuna's story teaches children that everyone faces moments of doubt and fear. The key lesson is that feeling afraid does not make you weak — giving up does. When Krishna tells Arjuna to stand up and fight (not with violence, but for what is right), children learn that they too can face their challenges with courage. Whether it is performing in a school play, defending a friend, or trying something new, the Gita encourages children to step forward bravely.
Krishna teaches extensively about controlling the mind in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga). For children, this translates to practical skills: paying attention in class, finishing homework before playing, and managing screen time. The Gita's teaching that "the mind is restless and hard to control, but it can be trained through practice and detachment" (BG 6.35) is incredibly relevant for kids growing up in a world full of distractions.
The Gita teaches compassion for all living beings. Krishna describes the ideal person as one who is friendly, compassionate, free from selfishness, and kind to everyone (BG 12.13-14). Teaching children these qualities through the Gita helps them develop empathy, understanding, and genuine concern for others — skills that are essential for healthy relationships and communities.
One of the most powerful teachings for children comes from BG 6.40, where Krishna reassures that no good effort is ever wasted. Even if you do not finish something perfectly, every step of effort counts. This teaches children that failure is not the opposite of success — it is part of the journey. Whether they lose a game, fail a test, or face disappointment, the Gita encourages them to get back up and keep going.
Krishna teaches that everything we have comes from a greater source. This cultivates gratitude — thankfulness for parents, teachers, food, nature, and life itself. The Gita also teaches humility: even the greatest warrior, Arjuna, bowed down and asked for help. Children learn that asking for help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness, and that being grateful creates a happy heart.
Here are some ways to introduce children to the Bhagavad Gita beyond this page:
The Srimad Gita App makes it easy to read, understand, and discuss Gita verses with your children. Simple translations, audio recitation, and chapter summaries — all in one place.
The Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between a prince named Arjuna and his friend and guide Lord Krishna. Before a big battle, Arjuna feels scared and confused. Krishna teaches him important life lessons about being brave, doing the right thing, being kind to everyone, and never giving up. These lessons help kids understand how to be good, strong, and wise.
Children can begin learning simplified Gita stories and values as early as age 5-6. At this age, focus on simple moral stories and character lessons. By age 8-10, children can understand basic concepts like karma (what you do comes back to you) and dharma (doing the right thing). Teenagers can explore deeper philosophical ideas about self-discovery and purpose.
Explain karma to a child by saying: "Karma means that what you do matters. If you are kind to your friends, kindness comes back to you. If you share your toys, others will share with you too. Krishna teaches us to always do good things, not because we want rewards, but because it is the right thing to do." Use everyday examples they can relate to.
The best Gita stories for children include: Arjuna's dilemma (learning to be brave when things are hard), Krishna's teachings about doing your best without worrying about results, the story of the eternal soul (we are more than our bodies), Krishna showing his universal form (everything is connected), and the lesson about treating everyone equally regardless of differences.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches children to focus on their studies without worrying about grades (BG 2.47), to stay calm during exams, to never give up when subjects are difficult, and to be good friends to everyone. These teachings build concentration, resilience, emotional intelligence, and a strong character that helps children succeed in school and life.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches children many important values: courage (being brave even when afraid), kindness (treating everyone with respect), honesty (always telling the truth), patience (staying calm and not giving up), self-control (managing anger and emotions), equality (seeing everyone as equal), hard work (always doing your best), and faith (trusting in goodness). These values form the foundation of good character.