7 Powerful Shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita for Self-Belief
Riya Kumari | Dec 18, 2024, 21:03 IST
The Bhagavad Gita, isn’t just an ancient text; it’s a manual for finding self-belief when the world seems to have left us behind. These verses don’t just preach—they speak to the part of us that’s broken and struggling, urging us to rise, surrender our illusions, and find our true power. This isn’t about achieving perfection or having it all figured out. It’s about trusting the process, embracing the struggle, and believing that from the brokenness, a masterpiece can emerge. Ready to rebuild? Let these shlokas be the paintbrush that fills the void with greatness.
But here's the thing: even in that space of uncertainty, that void has the potential to create something profound. The kind of emptiness that drives an artist to carve beauty from silence, or a writer to transform loneliness into words that speak to the soul. This is where self-belief isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. And if you’ve ever found yourself searching for it in the quiet, The Bhagavad Gita—has something to say to you. These ancient verses, passed down through generations, aren’t just words. They’re reminders that within every void, there is a possibility to rebuild and to believe again.
1."Lift yourself by yourself; don’t let yourself down."
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।
(Bhagavad Gita, 6.5)
It’s easy to think of self-belief as something external. We want validation, recognition, the pat on the back. But this verse reminds you that the power to rise has always been within you. It doesn’t come from the world’s applause or its disregard. It comes from the quiet, private work of picking yourself up, even when the world doesn’t see it. And in that act of lifting yourself—without the crutches of external praise—you find that the strength you thought you lacked was always there, just waiting for you to reach for it.
2. "Whenever chaos arises, I step in to restore balance."
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।
(Bhagavad Gita, 4.7)
We all have moments when the chaos seems insurmountable. That’s when the universe reminds you: the void you feel isn’t permanent. It’s a stage for transformation. The question isn’t if you’ll encounter difficulty—it’s how you’ll respond when it comes. Will you crumble? Or will you tap into your own capacity to restore balance? You may not always have the answers, but the courage to seek them? That’s within you. And the universe? It’s rooting for your rise.
3."Do your duty without obsessing over the results."
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।
(Bhagavad Gita, 2.47)
This one is for every perfectionist, every anxious soul who ties their worth to their accomplishments. But here’s the truth: the fruit of your labor isn’t yours to control. You can only shape the work itself. Your actions are yours, the outcomes are not. In that realization, you can finally free yourself from the weight of expectation. The result is no longer your burden. What you can control? Your effort. And in that, you find peace—because you’ve already done the work.
4. "On the field of dharma, the warriors gather."
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः।
(Bhagavad Gita, 1.1)
Life is a battlefield, yes—but not in the way we often think. It’s not about fighting for survival. It’s about choosing which battles matter. You don’t have to be at war with every challenge. The real fight is within you—the fight for your principles, your beliefs, your purpose. And every time you choose to stand for something, you’re standing in the greatest field of all: dharma, the pursuit of truth. It’s not about winning. It’s about showing up with your heart, your mind, and your soul, fully alive.
5. "Do your duty without attachment to success or failure."
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि संगं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।
(Bhagavad Gita, 2.48)
Balance is not something you find after you’ve accomplished your goals; it’s something you cultivate in the struggle. It's the understanding that the pursuit itself is sacred. Whether you succeed or fail doesn’t matter—what matters is the stillness within you as you move through it all. Like an artist who paints not for the applause, but for the catharsis of creation, your efforts are what fill the void with meaning. And in that meaning, you find your true self.
6. "Determined minds are singular; scattered minds wander."
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन।
बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्।
(Bhagavad Gita, 2.41)
In a world that wants to pull you in a thousand directions, this verse is a call to focus. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. In fact, you can’t be. Your energy is finite, so use it on what truly matters. The quiet, unwavering dedication to a single purpose is where strength lies. Every artist knows: their masterpiece doesn’t come from trying to do everything—it comes from the single-minded focus to create.
7."Surrender to Him for Ultimate Greatness and Liberation from Fear"
"तस्मिन्हस्ते महात्म्यं य: शरणं याति राघव:।
मोहाद्धनं क्षयात्तस्मिन्मृत्युमण्णस्मिनस्ति चा।"
(Bhagavad Gita, 10.20)
This one is a quiet but profound truth. The search for self-belief often comes with the struggle of feeling inadequate—of thinking you must prove your worth through endless striving. But the true path to strength lies not in the relentless pursuit of external markers of success, but in the surrender to a higher purpose. Let go of the illusions of power and control. Surrender not to weakness, but to the strength of trust, of faith in your journey. And in that, you find true freedom—from fear, from doubt, and from the emptiness that once held you captive
1."Lift yourself by yourself; don’t let yourself down."
Looking out car
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।
(Bhagavad Gita, 6.5)
It’s easy to think of self-belief as something external. We want validation, recognition, the pat on the back. But this verse reminds you that the power to rise has always been within you. It doesn’t come from the world’s applause or its disregard. It comes from the quiet, private work of picking yourself up, even when the world doesn’t see it. And in that act of lifting yourself—without the crutches of external praise—you find that the strength you thought you lacked was always there, just waiting for you to reach for it.
2. "Whenever chaos arises, I step in to restore balance."
Meditation
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।
(Bhagavad Gita, 4.7)
We all have moments when the chaos seems insurmountable. That’s when the universe reminds you: the void you feel isn’t permanent. It’s a stage for transformation. The question isn’t if you’ll encounter difficulty—it’s how you’ll respond when it comes. Will you crumble? Or will you tap into your own capacity to restore balance? You may not always have the answers, but the courage to seek them? That’s within you. And the universe? It’s rooting for your rise.
3."Do your duty without obsessing over the results."
Boxing Match
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।
(Bhagavad Gita, 2.47)
This one is for every perfectionist, every anxious soul who ties their worth to their accomplishments. But here’s the truth: the fruit of your labor isn’t yours to control. You can only shape the work itself. Your actions are yours, the outcomes are not. In that realization, you can finally free yourself from the weight of expectation. The result is no longer your burden. What you can control? Your effort. And in that, you find peace—because you’ve already done the work.
4. "On the field of dharma, the warriors gather."
Dilemma
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः।
(Bhagavad Gita, 1.1)
Life is a battlefield, yes—but not in the way we often think. It’s not about fighting for survival. It’s about choosing which battles matter. You don’t have to be at war with every challenge. The real fight is within you—the fight for your principles, your beliefs, your purpose. And every time you choose to stand for something, you’re standing in the greatest field of all: dharma, the pursuit of truth. It’s not about winning. It’s about showing up with your heart, your mind, and your soul, fully alive.
5. "Do your duty without attachment to success or failure."
Ladder
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि संगं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।
(Bhagavad Gita, 2.48)
Balance is not something you find after you’ve accomplished your goals; it’s something you cultivate in the struggle. It's the understanding that the pursuit itself is sacred. Whether you succeed or fail doesn’t matter—what matters is the stillness within you as you move through it all. Like an artist who paints not for the applause, but for the catharsis of creation, your efforts are what fill the void with meaning. And in that meaning, you find your true self.
6. "Determined minds are singular; scattered minds wander."
Yoga
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन।
बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्।
(Bhagavad Gita, 2.41)
In a world that wants to pull you in a thousand directions, this verse is a call to focus. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. In fact, you can’t be. Your energy is finite, so use it on what truly matters. The quiet, unwavering dedication to a single purpose is where strength lies. Every artist knows: their masterpiece doesn’t come from trying to do everything—it comes from the single-minded focus to create.
7."Surrender to Him for Ultimate Greatness and Liberation from Fear"
Pray
"तस्मिन्हस्ते महात्म्यं य: शरणं याति राघव:।
मोहाद्धनं क्षयात्तस्मिन्मृत्युमण्णस्मिनस्ति चा।"
(Bhagavad Gita, 10.20)
This one is a quiet but profound truth. The search for self-belief often comes with the struggle of feeling inadequate—of thinking you must prove your worth through endless striving. But the true path to strength lies not in the relentless pursuit of external markers of success, but in the surrender to a higher purpose. Let go of the illusions of power and control. Surrender not to weakness, but to the strength of trust, of faith in your journey. And in that, you find true freedom—from fear, from doubt, and from the emptiness that once held you captive