6 shlokas from the Bhagwad Gita that help deal with modern life challenges

The word of the all-mighty God, Krishna, is the Bhagwad Gita. With his conversations with Arjuna, his contemplations about the war, and the advice he gave to the many characters, the Bhagwad Gita became a compilation of some of the best, most inspiring, and relevant epics to be written. Be it the problems of everyday life, to the occasional bouts of anger, there is a shloka dedicated to it all that helps humans overcome their fears. And so, here we mention six shlokas from the Bhagwad Gita that help deal with modern life challenges.

Chapter 2, Verse 48 of the Bhagwad Gita says - ‘योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि संगं त्यक्त्वा धनंजय। सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥’ In this shloka, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that he must do his duties without attachment to the fear of failure, or the benefits and success that it will reap. The right acts are those which are done with devotion and determination. This message teaches people the importance of keeping personal thoughts of failure and accomplishment away from the tasks and duties that they have to do. It teaches people that when they focus on their efforts on a particular task, without any early fears, it can help reduce fear and stress in life.

In Chapter 2, Verse 71 of the Bhagwad Gita, the shloka says - ‘विहाय कामान्य: सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति नि:स्पृह:। निर्ममो निरहंकार: स शांतिमधिगच्छति॥’ In this Shloka, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that a man who gives up on material desires, abandons the chase of ‘more’, lives free from attachments, ego and possessiveness, is the man who attains peace. And in the constant hustle of modern life where men and women chase one thing after another, the biggest challenge is being free and feeling peace with self. And so, when people let go of unnecessary desires and focus on their true selves, and their feelings within, it leads to inner peace which helps overcome fear and doubt.

In Chapter 2, verse 47. Lord Krishna says - ‘कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥’This is undoubtedly one of the most famous shlokas from the Bhagwad Gita and translates to ‘You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.’This shloka advises people to focus on their duties without being overly concerned about the outcomes. When people do their duties without worrying about the outcomes, they make decisions based on what is right and wrong, instead of which one will be better for them.

In Chapter 2, verse 63, Lord Krishna says ‘क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोह: सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम:। स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति॥’ This shloka tells people that anger comes from delusion, and with delusion, comes confusion, with confusions, man begins to lose intelligence, and once intelligence and wisdom are gone, people are destroyed.
This shloka is like a warning to people about the destruction that comes with anger and the downfall it leads to. In life, managing anger is important for personal and professional relationships, and when anger comes with baggage, it is best to leave it be.

In Chapter 3, verse 35, the shloka says ‘स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह:।’ This shloka loosely translates to - Doing your duty, even if with little flaws, is better than doing someone else’s. And to do one’s duty, even with flaws, should bring no fear. This shloka helps people who are struggling in life with respect to finding their purpose. As people are confused every step of the way and tend to deviate from their original callings, it is like a reassurance that what you do while being true to yourself is what counts.

Chapter, verse 17 of the Bhagwad Gita says ‘युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु। युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा॥’This shloka talks about maintaining a balance in life, in comfort and effort, in work and sleep, and indulgence and restriction. It says that those who can walk the fine line between excess and just enough can remove their problems and worries with the practice of Yoga.