64 Bhagavad Gita Quotes For Inspiration And Wisdom

These Bhagavad Gita quotes will teach you valuable lessons about life.

Known to many scholars and believers, they come from an ancient literature called the Gita – a Sanskrit scripture composed of verses taken from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Conversations between Arjuna and Krishna

Translated as “The Song of God”, Bhagavad Gita was written like a poem depicting conversations between Prince Arjuna and his guide, the god Vishnu disguised as a chariot driver named Krishna. 

As Prince Arjuna sought answers to his questions and disillusionment about the war, Krishna has provided the light through profound advice filled with wisdom and inspiration.

The Bhagavad Gita quotes are Hindu perspectives that touch on Indian traditions and philosophies.

Many believe they are still relevant in our modern world.

If you’re looking for inspiration and words of wisdom, these quotes may be worth diving into.

Check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily inspiration.

Check out our entire collection of motivational quotes here. 

Bhagavad Gita quotes that are still relevant in our modern world

1. “One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men.” – Bhagavad Gita

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2. “You should perform your duty with a view to guide people and for universal welfare.” – Bhagavad Gita

3. “Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise.” – Bhagavad Gita

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4. “Even the wise are confused about what is action and what is inaction.” – Bhagavad Gita

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5. “Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is.” – Bhagavad Gita

6. “A Karma-yogi performs action by body, mind, intellect, and senses, without attachment, only for self-purification.” – Bhagavad Gita

7. “One who neither rejoices nor grieves, neither likes nor dislikes, who has renounced both the good and the evil, and who is full of devotion, such a person is dear to Me.” – Bhagavad Gita

8. “Entering the earth I support all beings with My energy; becoming the sap-giving moon I nourish all the plants.” – Bhagavad Gita

9. “The deluded ones, who restrain their organs of action but mentally dwell upon the sense enjoyment, are called hypocrites.” – Bhagavad Gita

10. “The one who has faith, and is sincere, and has mastery over the senses, gains this knowledge. Having gained this, one at once attains the supreme peace.” – Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita quotes on life lessons

11. “Those who always practice this teaching of Mine, with faith and free from cavil, are freed from the bondage of Karma.” – Bhagavad Gita

12. “Valour, glory, firmness, skill, generosity, steadiness in battle and ability to rule – these constitute the duty of a soldier. They flow from his own nature.” – Bhagavad Gita

13. “Always perform your duty efficiently and without attachment to the results, because by doing work without attachment one attains the Supreme.” – Bhagavad Gita

14. “Your enemies will speak many unmentionable words and scorn your ability. What could be more painful than this? You will go to heaven if killed, or you will enjoy the earth if victorious. Therefore, get up with a determination to fight, O Arjuna.” – Bhagavad Gita

15. “Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead. Therefore, grieve not for what is inevitable.” – Bhagavad Gita

16. “Having hands and feet everywhere; having eyes, head, and face everywhere; having ears everywhere; the creator exists in the creation by pervading everything.” – Bhagavad Gita

17. “On this path effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear.” – Bhagavad Gita

18. “Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. The one who is motivated only by the desire for the fruits of their action, and anxious about the results, is miserable indeed.” – Bhagavad Gita

19. “Through selfless service, you will always be fruitful and find the fulfillment of your desires.” – Bhagavad Gita

20. “Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps, and whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” – Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita quotes to elevate your perspective

21. “When a man dwells on the pleasure of sense, attraction for them arises in him. From attraction arises desire, the lust of possession, and this leads to passion, to anger.” – Bhagavad Gita

22. “Work for work’s sake, not for yourself. Act but do not be attached to your actions. Be in the world, but not of it.” – Bhagavad Gita

23. “You are what you believe in. You become that which you believe you can become.” – Bhagavad Gita

24. “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.” – Bhagavad Gita

25. “Actions do not cling to me because I am not attached to their results. Those who understand this and practice it live in freedom.” – Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita Quotes That Offer You Wisdom About Life

 26. “In the dark night of all beings awakes to Light the tranquil man. But what is day to other beings is night for the sage who sees.” — Bhagavad Gita

27. “There is nothing lost or wasted in this life.” —  Bhagavad Gita

28. “Meet this transient world with neither grasping nor fear, trust the unfolding of life, and you will attain true serenity.” —  Bhagavad Gita

29. “One should strive and employ oneself to uplift oneself. One should never dishonor oneself. The self is one’s friend as well as one’s enemy.” — Bhagavad Gita

30. “Causes and results, including emotional opposites, are things that come and go. This knowledge helps you endure them all.” — Bhagavad Gita

31. “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.” ― Bhagavad Gita

32. “If you want to be Great, Think Great and Positive.” — Bhagavad Gita

33. “Live a well-balanced life, it will bring peace.” — Bhagavad Gita

34. “Detachment from material things is the way to inner peace.” — Bhagavad Gita

35. “Always speak if you are right and don’t blame others.” — Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita Quotes To Provoke Your Thoughts

36. “So the wise should act without clinging, but rather, wanting to keep the world collected together.” ― Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, The Bhagavad Gita

37. “There is only one desire in life which is good and the desire for the means to realise it is also good.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi

38. “Arjuna, cut through this doubt in your own heart with the sword of spiritual wisdom. Arise; take up the path of yoga!” ― Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, The Bhagavad Gita

39. “As unnecessary as a well is to a village on the banks of a river, so unnecessary are all scriptures to someone who has seen the truth.” ― Stephen Mitchell , Bhagavad Gita

40. “teacher21, that you and another misbehaved in the same way, and your father punished the other, but not you;” ― Mahatma Gandhi, The Bhagavad Gita

41. “God is the ground we walk on, the food we eat, and the gratitude we express, to no one in particular, as naturally as breathing.” ― Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, The Bhagavad Gita

42. “The self is a friend for him who masters himself by the Self; but for him who is not self-mastered, the self is the cruelest foe.” ― Stephen Mitchell , Bhagavad Gita

43. “unnecessary are all scriptures to someone who has seen the truth.” ― Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, The Bhagavad Gita

44. “Hence, we should not be attached even to a good cause. Only then will our means remain pure and our actions too.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagavad Gita

45. “death is no more traumatic than taking off an old coat (2:22).” ― Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, The Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita Quotes That Have Stood Test Of Time

46. “The person who has the throne will not covet a position of civil or police authority.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagavad Gita

47. “Do your allotted work but renounce its fruit—be detached and work—have no desire for reward and work.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, The Bhagavad Gita

48. “We never really encounter the world; all we experience is our own nervous system.” ― Eknath Easwaran, The Bhagavad Gita

49. “the immortal soul is more important than the passing world.” ― Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, The Bhagavad Gita

50. “The wise man lets go of all results, whether good or bad, and is focused on the action alone. Yoga is skill in actions.” ― Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, The Bhagavad Gita

51. “But here the physical battle is only an occasion for describing the battlefield that is the human body.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagavad Gita

52. “a mother explains a point to her children over and over again in different words.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagavad Gita

53. “The righteous men who eat the residue of the sacrifice are freed from all sin, but the wicked who cook for themselves eat sin.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, The Bhagavad Gita

54. “Effort is within man’s control, not the fruit thereof.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, The Bhagavad Gita

55. “Those who violate these laws, criticizing and complaining, are utterly deluded, and are the cause of their own suffering.” ― Eknath Easwaran, The Bhagavad Gita

55. “In the Bhagavad-Gita, a book that I revere and respect, it’s indicated that even women, along with animals, are capable of attaining enlightenment.” ― Frederick Lenz

56. “In the Gita continuous concentration on God is the king of sacrifices.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

57. “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. (quoting the Bhagavad-Gita after witnessing the first Nuclear explosion.)” ― J. Robert Oppenheimer

58. “You will be nearer to Heaven through foot ball than through study of Gita.” ― Swami Vivekananda

59. “The sanyasa of the Gita will not tolerate complete cessation of activity.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

60. “The main reason why we look constantly to the Gita is that, whenever we need help, we may get it from the Gita. And, indeed, we always do get it.” ― Vinoba Bhave

61. “The Krishna of the Gita is perfection and right knowledge personified, but the picture is imaginary.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

62. “My Gita tells me that evil can never result from a good action.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

63. “I have felt that the Gita teaches us that what cannot be followed in day-to-day practice cannot be called religion.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

64. “The path of bhakti, karma and love as expounded in the Gita leaves no room for the despising of man by man.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

What did you learn from these Bhagavad Gita quotes?

These Bhagavad Gita quotes, spoken by Prince Arjuna and Krishna during their conversations, teach believers valuable lessons about life.

The verses encourage Hindus and other followers of the Gita scripture to live a life of purpose despite the ordinariness of everyday living while serving God and fulfilling their duties for the greater good.   

These verses reinforce the importance of yoga and acting upon a situation without focusing so much on the fruits of the action. 

As repeatedly stated in the texts, those who act without being attached to the outcome of their doing will achieve peace and freedom.

How do you perceive these Bhagavad Gita quotes and verses?

Would you be able to apply such philosophies into your own life?

Let us know in the comment section below.