Indecisiveness, confusion, regret are all the things familiar to everyone. Life gets defined by the decisions we make. That is why we want all our choices to be right. Like any rational person, we seek to extract maximum benefits from an investment, but it does not happen every time.
And sometimes correct decisions turn out to be wrong and land us in misery. Lord Arjun went through such a dilemma once and that was when Lord Krishna imparted some crucial knowledge to him.
Thus, the Bhagwat Geeta was born, a scripture anyone can refer to when in doubt. Here are eight Bhagavad Gita quotes in English to aid you in decision making.
1. Unlearn and change
“As a human being puts on new garments, giving up the old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.”
We are all born and raised in a flawed environment. We learn to pick up behaviours which limit ourselves, but the world demands something different. Taking the right decision can get hard when one is not open to new experiences. The society always changes, righteous behaviours from the past may now be inappropriate.
2. The journey is just as important.
“The meaning of Karma is in the intention. The intention behind the action is what matters. Those who are motivated only by the desire for the fruits of action are miserable, for they are constantly anxious about the results of what they do”
We have all gotten questioned about our decisions when things do not go as expected. Sometimes, we do not see results after an eternity of hard work. Although, next time when it happens, remind yourself about the Bhagavad Gita quotes on Karma.
3. Here and now, forever.
“Whatever happened was good, what’s happening it's going well, whatever will happen, will also be good. You need not have any regards from the past. You do not worry about the future. Live in the present.”
We all catch ourselves resenting people who have wronged us in the past. We feel nervous thinking how the future will turn out, especially when our plans get threatened by a global crisis. The Bhagwat Geeta quotes the remarkable statement above. The things existing around you in the present day are everything you have. You will eventually lose something from today and gain something in the future.
4. Strive for a higher goal
“We are kept from our goals, not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal.”
As mentioned earlier, our goals are far away. Sometimes, they seem so distant that we question our ability to achieve them. It causes us to settle for an easy goal, something that appears realistic somehow. Understand what the Gita quotes about it. You will never limit your potential again.
5. You are what you believe
“Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is!”
Our limitation is our perception of ourselves. It is also one of the factors which cause us to settle for the easy objective. The Geetahard work quotes that you are who you believe. You can control your self-perception. If you see a winner when you look in the mirror, then you are a winner! When you think of yourself as someone incompetent, it stops you from improving. You discontinue striving for betterment once you conform to a negative self-image.
6. Control your mind
“The mind alone is one’s friend as well as one’s enemy.”
It is one of the quotes from Bhagavad Gita on success. It can be applied in every context because success gets wanted in all aspects of life. Your mind and thoughts are one of the things you can and should control. Discipline your mind, think in patterns that foster growth. Your mind is a great resource, think wisely.
7. Look beyond the flaws
“No one should abandon duties because he sees defects in them. Every action, every activity, is surrounded by defects as a fire is surrounded by smoke”
One of the best Bhagavad Gita quotes teaches us to embrace imperfections. It is impossible to make a choice which is perfect in every sense.
8. Rise above cynicism
“Neither in this world nor elsewhere is there any happiness in store for him who always doubts.”
Looking past your reservations and suspicions is an important theme explored in one of the Bhagavath Geetha quotes. We get surrounded by all kinds of people. Some of them take advantage of us. Some genuinely wish the best for us.
9. One committed to his duty gets contentment.
“If you perform the sacrifice of doing your duty, you do not have to do anything else. Devoted to duty, man attains perfection.”
One of the most fundamental Bhagwat Geeta quotes emphasizes a determined and committed attitude towards one's duty. If you are dedicated to what you do, nothing can stop you from gaining success.
10. Keep your focus on your work.
“There is more happiness in doing one’s own (path) without excellence than in doing another’s (path) well.”
Your goals are important to you, but so is your growth. The journey towards your end destination is full of lessons, opportunities and joy. Lamenting about not having reached somewhere and using someone else's hard-work for your excellence is wrong. It changes our focus on the correct way of living and leading our lives.
11. Don't let anger breed in you.
“When a man dwells on the objects of sense, he creates an attraction for them; attraction develops into desire, and desire breeds anger.”
As children, we are taught to dream big. As adults we seldom see anyone following it. Eventually, what remains of our dreams is a deep-seated frustration of never having tried. Go after that unattainable dream and focus on enjoying the journey.
12. Mind is the key to all.
“One who has control over the mind is tranquil in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and in honour and dishonour; and is ever steadfast with the Supreme Self.”
Thoughts have the potential of being self-destructive when they get allowed to run haywire. These out-of-control thoughts are what cause people to develop negative self-beliefs.
13. Self-control is necessary.
“The self-controlled soul, who moves amongst sense objects, free from either attachment or repulsion, he wins eternal Peace.”
Scepticism, beyond a healthy amount, does not always guarantee security. It makes us miss out on opportunities and happiness. This is a very important Bhagwad Gita quote indeed.
14. Grieve not for what is inevitable.
“Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead. Therefore grieve not for what is inevitable.”
Let go of what you cannot change and the illusion that you can control everything. Appreciate everything you can sense at this moment.
15. Staying satisfied from within is necessary.
“The soul who meditates on the Self is content to serve the Self and rests satisfied within the Self; there remains nothing more for him to accomplish.”
We accomplish nothing when we doubt ourselves and the world. One needs to stay satisfied from within in order to find the ultimate happiness and peace.
16. Don't think about the reward for doing a task.
“Let the motive be in the deed and not in the event. Be not one whose motive for action is the hope of reward.”
Any decision you make will have an unsatisfactory or repulsive aspect. It does not mean we abandon it or do a particular deed for just the end reward. See the good in everything, learn from your mistakes and mature from it.
17. Do good to inspire others.
“The one who is motivated only by the desire for the fruits of their action, and anxious about the results, is miserable indeed.”
The actions of a great man are an inspiration for others. Whatever he does becomes a standard for others to follow.
18. Work, regardless of reward.
“Set thy heart upon thy work but never its reward.”
One among the Bhagwat Geeta teachings is that never do a deed in the acquisitiveness of a reward. Rather put your heart with complete loyalty in the task that you do, irrespective of its reward.
19. Never let your ego drive you.
“All works are being done by the energy and power of nature, but due to delusion of ego people assume themselves to be the doer.”
Unlearn the attitudes like 'ego' that hinder your growth, embrace and try understanding the differences among people because they are inevitable.
20. Be dedicated towards your duty, as that comes before all.
“One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus is untouched by water.”
The Bhagavad Gita quotations have been studied all over the world and have millions of people turn their life around. These quotes apply beyond decision making. They also help you recover and move on from a wrong decision.
They are all connected, for example, training your mind to practise self-compassion instead of self-hate. Mental health depends on thoughts and feelings. Learn to trust yourself and the universe when you are making decisions. The teachings of the Bhagavad Geeta help to gain control over them.
Read More:
- 5 Facts About Ravana, The Demon King of Lanka, You Should Know
- 30 Shree Krishna Quotes That Narrate The Truths of Life
- 13 Radha Krishna Quotes To Know About Eternal Love
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