7 Daily Habits That Make You Poor According to Bhagavad Gita (And How to Break Them Today)
Ankit Gupta | Apr 27, 2025, 21:22 IST
The Bhagavad Gita, often called the "Gita," is a timeless philosophical and spiritual text that addresses the fundamental issues of life, action, and purpose. It provides guidance not only on how to lead a life of virtue but also on how to make choices that lead to a fulfilling, prosperous, and spiritually aligned existence. One of the key aspects of the Gita is its focus on the concept of right action, detachment, and inner peace, which directly relates to wealth—not just material wealth, but the wealth of wisdom, discipline, and inner joy.
The Bhagavad Gita, often called the "Gita," is a timeless philosophical and spiritual text that addresses the fundamental issues of life, action, and purpose. It provides guidance not only on how to lead a life of virtue but also on how to make choices that lead to a fulfilling, prosperous, and spiritually aligned existence. One of the key aspects of the Gita is its focus on the concept of right action, detachment, and inner peace, which directly relates to wealth—not just material wealth, but the wealth of wisdom, discipline, and inner joy.
While the Gita emphasizes personal growth and self-realization, it also discusses how certain habits, when nurtured over time, can lead us into a state of poverty—whether it's the poverty of mind, spirit, or material wealth. These habits are not just limited to financial loss but are ingrained in our behavior, leading to an overall lack of fulfillment in life.
1.
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions." — Chapter 2, Verse 47
One of the fundamental teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is the concept of detachment from the results of your actions. The Gita warns that when we become overly attached to the outcome of our efforts, it leads to discontent, anxiety, and stress. We begin to base our happiness and success on external results, which are often out of our control.
This attachment makes us vulnerable to disappointment when things don't go as planned and fear of failure, which prevents us from taking the necessary risks to succeed in life. We might avoid investing in new ventures or personal growth because of the anxiety around the uncertain outcomes, leading to stagnation.
In the context of wealth, attachment to results can manifest in the form of obsessive accumulation, a desire for quick riches, or a need for validation based on financial success. This obsession often leads to reckless decision-making, poor investments, or losses that could have been avoided with a more balanced approach.
"There is no possibility of one's becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, without renouncing material desires." — Chapter 6, Verse 5
The Gita teaches the importance of moderation and self-discipline in all aspects of life. Overindulgence in worldly pleasures—whether it’s food, sleep, entertainment, or material possessions—leads to the depletion of your energy and resources. It creates a constant need for external validation, while your internal resources are drained.
The pursuit of constant pleasure leads to discontentment because the joy derived from sensory pleasures is fleeting. You may temporarily feel gratified, but in the long run, you’re left with emptiness and frustration, which erodes your motivation and focus.
Materialism and excessive desire for comfort can lead to financial struggles. People often overspend on indulgent luxuries, forgetting that true prosperity comes from living within one's means and investing in long-term goals.
"Action is superior to inaction." — Chapter 3, Verse 8
Laziness and procrastination stem from a lack of discipline and mental focus. The Gita stresses that inaction is a form of ignorance. It’s easy to fall into a cycle of delay and avoidance, but this behavior only leads to missed opportunities and stagnant growth.
Procrastination often arises from fear of failure or an overwhelming sense of perfectionism, but the truth is, inaction leads to poverty in every sense. It prevents you from seizing opportunities, learning new skills, and building wealth—whether financial, emotional, or intellectual.
This habit creates a vicious cycle: the more you delay, the more the tasks accumulate, leading to stress and low self-esteem, which makes it even harder to take action in the future.
"Do not fear what is unknown, for in action there is fulfillment." — Chapter 2, Verse 47
Fear is a natural emotion, but when it paralyzes us from taking action, it becomes detrimental. The Gita teaches that fear and confusion (moha) arise from a lack of clarity and understanding. Fear prevents us from making decisions and taking calculated risks, often necessary for financial or personal growth.
When we allow fear to dictate our actions, we are left with missed opportunities, stagnation, and regret. Fear of failure can prevent us from investing, networking, or starting new ventures, while fear of judgment prevents us from taking risks in personal growth.
"When a person is motivated by desire, he or she is driven by greed and it leads to delusion." — Chapter 3, Verse 39
Greed is the insatiable desire for more—more money, more possessions, more power—often at the expense of others. The Gita explains that greed clouds judgment, leading us to make poor decisions driven by self-interest rather than the greater good.
While seeking success is not inherently wrong, greed leads to short-term thinking, unethical behavior, and exploitation, which ultimately creates internal conflict and external consequences. Over time, this mentality fosters stress, resentment, and a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction, leaving you spiritually and emotionally impoverished.
"The world is deluded by the three modes of material nature and does not know Me, who am above them." — Chapter 7, Verse 13
In modern society, there is a tendency to define success based on external markers—social media likes, money, titles, and approval from others. The Gita warns that this reliance on external validation leads to delusion (maya), because it makes us dependent on what is fleeting and superficial.
When we live for the approval of others, we lose sight of our authentic self, leading to emotional instability, lack of purpose, and financial insecurity. Over time, this habit can drain your energy and prevent you from aligning your efforts with your true calling.
"A person who is disciplined in their actions, thoughts, and speech rises above the modes of material nature." — Chapter 14, Verse 25
Discipline is the cornerstone of success in any area of life, whether personal, professional, or financial. Without it, we lack the consistency required to build wealth, cultivate healthy habits, or achieve our goals.
The Gita teaches that discipline in thought, action, and speech helps us transcend the limitations of the material world. A lack of discipline results in wasted time, poor decision-making, and missed opportunities, all of which can lead to both financial and spiritual poverty.
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita offer timeless wisdom that extends beyond spiritual or philosophical contemplation—they offer practical solutions for living a prosperous life. By breaking the 7 habits that lead to poverty—whether emotional, financial, or spiritual—you can open yourself up to a life of true abundance.
When you focus on performing your duties without attachment to the results, practice moderation, embrace discipline, and let go of destructive tendencies like greed and fear, you align yourself with the universal flow of prosperity. This will not only enrich your material wealth but will also lead to deeper inner peace, purpose, and fulfillment.
May you walk this path of wisdom and true abundance, living according to the principles of the Gita, and experiencing a life of lasting prosperity.
While the Gita emphasizes personal growth and self-realization, it also discusses how certain habits, when nurtured over time, can lead us into a state of poverty—whether it's the poverty of mind, spirit, or material wealth. These habits are not just limited to financial loss but are ingrained in our behavior, leading to an overall lack of fulfillment in life.
1. Attachment to Results (Karma Vairagya)
Niskam Karma
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions." — Chapter 2, Verse 47
One of the fundamental teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is the concept of detachment from the results of your actions. The Gita warns that when we become overly attached to the outcome of our efforts, it leads to discontent, anxiety, and stress. We begin to base our happiness and success on external results, which are often out of our control.
This attachment makes us vulnerable to disappointment when things don't go as planned and fear of failure, which prevents us from taking the necessary risks to succeed in life. We might avoid investing in new ventures or personal growth because of the anxiety around the uncertain outcomes, leading to stagnation.
In the context of wealth, attachment to results can manifest in the form of obsessive accumulation, a desire for quick riches, or a need for validation based on financial success. This obsession often leads to reckless decision-making, poor investments, or losses that could have been avoided with a more balanced approach.
2. Overindulgence in Pleasure (Indriya Vairagya)
Yogi - Pure Awareness
"There is no possibility of one's becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, without renouncing material desires." — Chapter 6, Verse 5
The Gita teaches the importance of moderation and self-discipline in all aspects of life. Overindulgence in worldly pleasures—whether it’s food, sleep, entertainment, or material possessions—leads to the depletion of your energy and resources. It creates a constant need for external validation, while your internal resources are drained.
The pursuit of constant pleasure leads to discontentment because the joy derived from sensory pleasures is fleeting. You may temporarily feel gratified, but in the long run, you’re left with emptiness and frustration, which erodes your motivation and focus.
Materialism and excessive desire for comfort can lead to financial struggles. People often overspend on indulgent luxuries, forgetting that true prosperity comes from living within one's means and investing in long-term goals.
3. Laziness and Procrastination (Akshepa)
Dull Sink
"Action is superior to inaction." — Chapter 3, Verse 8
Laziness and procrastination stem from a lack of discipline and mental focus. The Gita stresses that inaction is a form of ignorance. It’s easy to fall into a cycle of delay and avoidance, but this behavior only leads to missed opportunities and stagnant growth.
Procrastination often arises from fear of failure or an overwhelming sense of perfectionism, but the truth is, inaction leads to poverty in every sense. It prevents you from seizing opportunities, learning new skills, and building wealth—whether financial, emotional, or intellectual.
This habit creates a vicious cycle: the more you delay, the more the tasks accumulate, leading to stress and low self-esteem, which makes it even harder to take action in the future.
4. Inaction Out of Fear (Moha)
Attachment lead to Bandage
"Do not fear what is unknown, for in action there is fulfillment." — Chapter 2, Verse 47
Fear is a natural emotion, but when it paralyzes us from taking action, it becomes detrimental. The Gita teaches that fear and confusion (moha) arise from a lack of clarity and understanding. Fear prevents us from making decisions and taking calculated risks, often necessary for financial or personal growth.
When we allow fear to dictate our actions, we are left with missed opportunities, stagnation, and regret. Fear of failure can prevent us from investing, networking, or starting new ventures, while fear of judgment prevents us from taking risks in personal growth.
5. Greed (Lobha)
Greed Blinds, Wisdom Frees
"When a person is motivated by desire, he or she is driven by greed and it leads to delusion." — Chapter 3, Verse 39
Greed is the insatiable desire for more—more money, more possessions, more power—often at the expense of others. The Gita explains that greed clouds judgment, leading us to make poor decisions driven by self-interest rather than the greater good.
While seeking success is not inherently wrong, greed leads to short-term thinking, unethical behavior, and exploitation, which ultimately creates internal conflict and external consequences. Over time, this mentality fosters stress, resentment, and a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction, leaving you spiritually and emotionally impoverished.
6. Over-reliance on External Validation (Maya)
Maya, The Grand Illusion
"The world is deluded by the three modes of material nature and does not know Me, who am above them." — Chapter 7, Verse 13
In modern society, there is a tendency to define success based on external markers—social media likes, money, titles, and approval from others. The Gita warns that this reliance on external validation leads to delusion (maya), because it makes us dependent on what is fleeting and superficial.
When we live for the approval of others, we lose sight of our authentic self, leading to emotional instability, lack of purpose, and financial insecurity. Over time, this habit can drain your energy and prevent you from aligning your efforts with your true calling.
7. Lack of Discipline (Sattvika Bhava)
Indiscipline steals your future
"A person who is disciplined in their actions, thoughts, and speech rises above the modes of material nature." — Chapter 14, Verse 25
Discipline is the cornerstone of success in any area of life, whether personal, professional, or financial. Without it, we lack the consistency required to build wealth, cultivate healthy habits, or achieve our goals.
The Gita teaches that discipline in thought, action, and speech helps us transcend the limitations of the material world. A lack of discipline results in wasted time, poor decision-making, and missed opportunities, all of which can lead to both financial and spiritual poverty.
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita offer timeless wisdom that extends beyond spiritual or philosophical contemplation—they offer practical solutions for living a prosperous life. By breaking the 7 habits that lead to poverty—whether emotional, financial, or spiritual—you can open yourself up to a life of true abundance.
When you focus on performing your duties without attachment to the results, practice moderation, embrace discipline, and let go of destructive tendencies like greed and fear, you align yourself with the universal flow of prosperity. This will not only enrich your material wealth but will also lead to deeper inner peace, purpose, and fulfillment.
May you walk this path of wisdom and true abundance, living according to the principles of the Gita, and experiencing a life of lasting prosperity.