Cultivate universal friendliness
Adveshta sarva-bhutanam maitrah karuna eva cha, nirmamo nirahankarah sama-duhkha-sukhah kshami
One who is not envious but a kind friend to all living entities, free from proprietorship and false ego, equal in happiness and distress, forgiving.
- •Let go of ego and possessiveness
- •Maintain equanimity in all situations
Contentment is a spiritual quality
Santushṭaḥ satataṁ yogī yatātmā dṛiḍha-niśhchayaḥ, mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
Ever content, steadfast in meditation, self-controlled, and of firm resolve, with mind and intellect offered to Me—such devotees are very dear to Me.
- •Self-control combined with devotion
- •Firm resolve pleases God
Divine qualities to cultivate
Abhayam sattva-samsuddhir jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih, danam damas cha yajnas cha svadhyayas tapa arjavam
Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness.
- •Fearlessness is foundational
- •Purity of heart is essential
More divine qualities to cultivate
Ahimsa satyam akrodhas tyagah shantir apaishunam, daya bhuteshv aloluptvam mardavam hrir achapalam
Non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, tranquility, absence of slander, compassion toward all, absence of greed, gentleness, modesty, and steadiness.
- •Comprehensive list of virtues
- •Blueprint for character development
Strength combined with humility
Tejah kshama dhritih shaucham adroho nati-manita, bhavanti sampadam daivim abhijatasya bharata
Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of malice, and absence of pride—these qualities belong to those endowed with divine nature, O Arjuna.
- •Purity without pride
- •Divine character is multifaceted
Sincere devotion transcends past sins
Api chet suduracharo bhajate mam ananya-bhak, sadhur eva sa mantavyah samyag vyavasito hi sah
Even if someone commits the most abominable actions, if they worship Me with exclusive devotion, they are to be considered saintly, for they have made the proper resolve.
- •Right intention is transformative
- •God accepts all who turn to Him
Ultimate teaching: complete surrender
Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma shuchah
Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.
- •Divine grace liberates from all karma
- •Let go of fear and trust completely
True wisdom sees unity in diversity
Vidya-vinaya-sampanne brahmane gavi hastini, shuni caiva shvapake ca panditah sama-darshinah
The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater.
- •Look beyond external differences
- •The wise see the soul in all beings
Unified consciousness sees oneness
Sarva-bhuta-stham atmanam sarva-bhutani chatmani, ikshate yoga-yuktatma sarvatra sama-darshanah
The yogis, who are united in consciousness, see the soul in all beings and all beings in the soul. They see the same in all.
- •All beings contain the same soul
- •True vision sees no separation
See yourself in all beings
Atmaupamyena sarvatra samam pashyati yo 'rjuna, sukham va yadi va duhkham sa yogi paramo matah
Those who see with equal vision their own self in all beings, and all beings in their own self, whether in happiness or in distress, are considered to be perfect yogis.
- •Universal empathy and compassion
- •This vision defines a perfect yogi
Humble approach to the divine
Tasmāt praṇamya praṇidhāya kāyaṁ prasādaye tvām aham īśham īḍyam, piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyuḥ priyaḥ priyāyārhasi deva soḍhum
Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body, I seek Your grace, O adorable Lord. As a father tolerates his son, a friend his friend, and a lover his beloved, please tolerate my offenses, O God.
- •God as father, friend, and beloved
- •Divine mercy and tolerance
All creation stems from consciousness and matter
Yavat sanjayate kinchit sattvam sthavara-jangamam, kshetra-kshetrajña-samyogat tad viddhi bharatarshabha
Know, O Arjuna, that whatever being, moving or non-moving, is born, it is from the union between the field and the knower of the field.
- •The interplay of spirit and material
- •Understanding the basis of existence
Equanimity in pleasure and pain
Duhkhesv anudvigna-manah sukhesu vigata-sprhah, vita-raga-bhaya-krodhah sthita-dhir munir ucyate
One who is not disturbed in spite of miseries, who doesn't crave happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.
- •Freedom from reactive emotions
- •Mental stability through detachment
Detached action purifies the soul
Brahmany adhaya karmani sangam tyaktva karoti yah, lipyate na sa papena padma-patram ivambhasa
One who performs their duty without attachment, surrendering the results to the Supreme, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.
- •Like a lotus in water, be in the world but not of it
- •Surrender leads to freedom
God's impartial love for all
Samo 'ham sarva-bhuteshu na me dveshyo 'sti na priyah, ye bhajanti tu mam bhaktya mayi te teshu chapy aham
I am equal to all beings; none is hateful or dear to Me. But those who worship Me with devotion are in Me, and I am in them.
- •Devotion creates intimacy
- •We find God when we seek Him
Devotees transform quickly
Kshipram bhavati dharmatma shashvac-chantim nigacchati, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranashyati
Quickly they become righteous and attain lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.
- •Lasting peace is assured
- •Divine protection is certain