When Everything Feels Wrong, Let These Bhagavad Gita Shlokas Heal You
Riya Kumari | Jan 08, 2025, 00:27 IST
Okay, let’s set the scene: You’re sitting at your desk (or on your couch, or maybe even in your bed—no judgment), feeling like everything in your life has gone completely off the rails. The universe is giving you the silent treatment, your coffee’s gone cold, and you just know you should probably be doing something productive, but instead, you’re scrolling through memes at 2 PM like it's your job.
We’ve all been there: when everything feels wrong, like you’re swimming against the current and no matter how hard you try, nothing works. Life hits you with stress, uncertainty, and that gnawing feeling that you’re falling short of expectations—your own or someone else’s. So, what do you do when it all feels like too much? The Bhagavad Gita has your back. This ancient text is more than just philosophy; it’s the kind of practical wisdom that could probably save you from having a meltdown.
1. You’re Not Defined by Your Mistakes
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः |
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ||
"You are not the body, you are the eternal soul." (Chapter 2, Verse 20)
So, you messed up. Big deal. We've all had those moments when we feel like we’ve totally failed and the world is watching. Maybe you snapped at a friend, bombed a presentation, or didn’t live up to the expectations you set for yourself. Here’s the thing: your mistakes don’t define you. According to the Gita, your true self is an eternal soul—something much bigger than any one moment. When things go wrong, it’s not about who you are; it’s about the situation you’re in, and that situation is temporary. Don’t let a bad day convince you that you’re a bad person. You are far more than your failures.
2. Stop Personalizing Other People’s Issues
द्वेष्टा सर्वेषु भूतानि
न मम क्षलनं कृतम् ||
"When a person reacts with anger, they forget their true self." (Chapter 16, Verse 3)
We all know how it feels to take someone else’s mood personally. Your coworker is in a foul mood, or your friend snaps at you for no reason, and suddenly, you're wondering if you’ve done something wrong. The Gita has a simple reminder: other people’s anger, frustration, or negativity is not about you. It’s about them. They’re reacting from their own issues and perspectives. So, why carry their emotional baggage? Learn to let it go. You don’t need to fix or internalize someone else’s mess. You just need to protect your peace.
3. You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
"You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions." (Chapter 2, Verse 47)
Ever feel like you’re supposed to have life all figured out by now? Maybe you’re in your 20s, 30s, or even beyond, and everyone else around you seems to be hitting milestones while you’re just trying to get through the day without a breakdown. The Gita reminds you that you don’t have to have every step mapped out. What matters is showing up and doing the best you can, right here, right now. The results aren’t up to you. You do the work, and let the outcomes unfold. Take it one day at a time.
4. Detach from the Outcome
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
"Perform your duty, but without attachment to the results." (Chapter 2, Verse 47)
How often have you invested time, energy, and heart into something, only to watch it fall apart? It’s painful, and it’s easy to feel like a failure. But the Gita asks us to reframe that. It’s not about what happens after you’ve done your part—it’s about how you show up in the moment. When you focus too much on the result, it sets you up for disappointment and frustration. You can’t control everything, but you can control your effort. Do your part, and let the rest go. Whatever happens next is simply a reflection of the bigger picture.
5. Balance Is Key—Even in Chaos
अज्ञातवज्ञमणं हि कर्म कर्तृत्वं च मानध्यानं प्रवृत्तिपदं शान्तम्॥
Happiness and distress are temporary, like changing seasons, so stay steady. (Chapter 2, Verse 14)
Life isn’t always a smooth ride. Sometimes, it feels like you’re on top of the world, and other times, you’re just trying to keep your head above water. The Gita’s advice? Don’t get too attached to either extreme. When things are going well, don’t get carried away. When they’re going badly, don’t sink into despair. Find balance. It’s not about avoiding the highs or lows—it’s about maintaining your inner steadiness regardless of what’s happening around you. It’s the calm within the storm that truly defines resilience.
6. Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मनं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन:॥
"Lift yourself through effort; the self can be your friend or enemy." ( Chapter 6, Verse 5 )
Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s easy to get trapped in a cycle of negative thinking: “I can’t do this,” “I’m not good enough,” “What if it all goes wrong?” But the Gita teaches that what you think, you become. If you believe in your potential, in your ability to rise above, that belief will shape your actions and your life. Change the story you tell yourself, and you’ll change the way you experience the world. Your mind is powerful—use it wisely.
1. You’re Not Defined by Your Mistakes
Mistake
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः |
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ||
"You are not the body, you are the eternal soul." (Chapter 2, Verse 20)
So, you messed up. Big deal. We've all had those moments when we feel like we’ve totally failed and the world is watching. Maybe you snapped at a friend, bombed a presentation, or didn’t live up to the expectations you set for yourself. Here’s the thing: your mistakes don’t define you. According to the Gita, your true self is an eternal soul—something much bigger than any one moment. When things go wrong, it’s not about who you are; it’s about the situation you’re in, and that situation is temporary. Don’t let a bad day convince you that you’re a bad person. You are far more than your failures.
2. Stop Personalizing Other People’s Issues
Anger
द्वेष्टा सर्वेषु भूतानि
न मम क्षलनं कृतम् ||
"When a person reacts with anger, they forget their true self." (Chapter 16, Verse 3)
We all know how it feels to take someone else’s mood personally. Your coworker is in a foul mood, or your friend snaps at you for no reason, and suddenly, you're wondering if you’ve done something wrong. The Gita has a simple reminder: other people’s anger, frustration, or negativity is not about you. It’s about them. They’re reacting from their own issues and perspectives. So, why carry their emotional baggage? Learn to let it go. You don’t need to fix or internalize someone else’s mess. You just need to protect your peace.
3. You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out
Study
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
"You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions." (Chapter 2, Verse 47)
Ever feel like you’re supposed to have life all figured out by now? Maybe you’re in your 20s, 30s, or even beyond, and everyone else around you seems to be hitting milestones while you’re just trying to get through the day without a breakdown. The Gita reminds you that you don’t have to have every step mapped out. What matters is showing up and doing the best you can, right here, right now. The results aren’t up to you. You do the work, and let the outcomes unfold. Take it one day at a time.
4. Detach from the Outcome
Meditate
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
"Perform your duty, but without attachment to the results." (Chapter 2, Verse 47)
How often have you invested time, energy, and heart into something, only to watch it fall apart? It’s painful, and it’s easy to feel like a failure. But the Gita asks us to reframe that. It’s not about what happens after you’ve done your part—it’s about how you show up in the moment. When you focus too much on the result, it sets you up for disappointment and frustration. You can’t control everything, but you can control your effort. Do your part, and let the rest go. Whatever happens next is simply a reflection of the bigger picture.
5. Balance Is Key—Even in Chaos
Waves
अज्ञातवज्ञमणं हि कर्म कर्तृत्वं च मानध्यानं प्रवृत्तिपदं शान्तम्॥
Happiness and distress are temporary, like changing seasons, so stay steady. (Chapter 2, Verse 14)
Life isn’t always a smooth ride. Sometimes, it feels like you’re on top of the world, and other times, you’re just trying to keep your head above water. The Gita’s advice? Don’t get too attached to either extreme. When things are going well, don’t get carried away. When they’re going badly, don’t sink into despair. Find balance. It’s not about avoiding the highs or lows—it’s about maintaining your inner steadiness regardless of what’s happening around you. It’s the calm within the storm that truly defines resilience.
6. Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
Thought
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मनं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन:॥
"Lift yourself through effort; the self can be your friend or enemy." ( Chapter 6, Verse 5 )
Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s easy to get trapped in a cycle of negative thinking: “I can’t do this,” “I’m not good enough,” “What if it all goes wrong?” But the Gita teaches that what you think, you become. If you believe in your potential, in your ability to rise above, that belief will shape your actions and your life. Change the story you tell yourself, and you’ll change the way you experience the world. Your mind is powerful—use it wisely.