Timeless wisdom from the divine conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Discover quotes on karma, dharma, peace, love, success, and the meaning of life.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stvakarmaṇi
"You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results, and never be attached to inaction."
This is perhaps the most quoted verse from the Bhagavad Gita, encapsulating the essence of Karma Yoga. It teaches us to focus on our actions rather than outcomes, a principle that resonates deeply in modern psychology, sports, and business.
Lord Krishna's teachings on karma form the foundation of selfless action. These quotes guide us to work with dedication while remaining detached from results.
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय
yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya
"Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure."
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः
niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ
"Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without action."
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः
yad yad ācarati śhreṣhṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ
"Whatever action a great person performs, common people follow. Whatever standards they set, the world pursues."
Dharma represents righteous duty and moral order. These Krishna quotes illuminate the path of ethical living and fulfilling one's responsibilities.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata
"Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I manifest Myself."
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः
sva-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ
"It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though imperfectly, than another's duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties."
These profound quotes address mental peace, controlling the restless mind, and achieving inner tranquility through spiritual practice.
असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम्
asanśhayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ chalam
"The mind is indeed very difficult to control, O mighty-armed Arjuna, but it can be brought under control by constant practice and detachment."
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet
"One must elevate, not degrade, oneself by one's own mind. The mind alone is the friend of the soul, and the mind alone is the enemy of the soul."
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति
śhāntiṁ nirvāṇa-paramāṁ mat-sansthām adhigachchhati
"Thus, the yogi who has controlled the mind attains the supreme peace of the Self and enters into My being."
Perhaps the most profound teachings of the Gita concern the eternal nature of the soul. These quotes reveal the immortal Self beyond the physical body.
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः
na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
"The soul is never born, nor does it ever die; having come into being once, it never ceases to be. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying, and primeval."
वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय
vāsānsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya
"As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, similarly, the soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones."
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः
nainaṁ chhindanti śhastrāṇi nainaṁ dahati pāvakaḥ
"The soul can never be cut by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind."
Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion, is beautifully expressed in these verses where Krishna speaks about love, surrender, and divine connection.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja
"Abandon all varieties of dharma and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear."
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते
ananyāś cintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate
"To those who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, to those ever-united in devotion, I provide what they lack and preserve what they have."
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
"Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me, and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail."
Jnana Yoga, the path of knowledge, is illuminated through these verses that speak about spiritual wisdom and self-realization.
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते
na hi jñānena sadṛśhaṁ pavitram iha vidyate
"In this world, there is nothing as purifying as divine knowledge. One who has attained this enjoys it within the Self in due course of time."
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata
"Through the dense darkness of material existence, the blazing fire of knowledge consumes the results of all activities."
Each of the 700 verses in the Bhagavad Gita contains profound wisdom. Explore our complete collection organized by chapter:
The most famous Bhagavad Gita quote is from Chapter 2, Verse 47: "Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana" meaning "You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action." This verse encapsulates the essence of Karma Yoga and has been referenced by leaders, philosophers, and thinkers worldwide, including Mahatma Gandhi, who considered the Gita his spiritual guide.
The Bhagavad Gita contains 700 verses (shlokas) across 18 chapters. Each verse contains profound wisdom, making it a treasure trove of over 700 quotable teachings. The majority of these are spoken by Lord Krishna, providing guidance on karma (action), dharma (duty), bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), and moksha (liberation).
Krishna teaches that life should be lived with purpose, wisdom, and devotion. Key teachings include: the soul is eternal and never dies (2.20), we should perform our duty without attachment to results (2.47), the mind is both our friend and enemy (6.5), and peace comes from within through self-mastery (6.7). Krishna emphasizes that lasting happiness comes not from material pursuits but from spiritual realization and alignment with one's dharma.
For motivation, these Gita quotes stand out: "You have the right to work, but never to its fruits" (2.47) - teaches focus on effort; "The mind is the friend of the soul, and also its enemy" (6.5) - inspires self-mastery; "Whatever happened, happened for good" (2.14 interpretation) - cultivates acceptance; "Rise above the three gunas" (14.22) - encourages transcending limitations. These verses have inspired millions to persevere through challenges with equanimity.
While most Bhagavad Gita quotes are spoken by Lord Krishna, the text also includes verses spoken by Arjuna (asking questions) and Sanjaya (narrating). Krishna speaks approximately 574 of the 700 verses, making "Krishna quotes" nearly synonymous with Gita quotes. When people search for "Krishna quotes," they typically seek the divine teachings found in the Bhagavad Gita.
Dive deeper into specific themes from the Bhagavad Gita:
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