Learning from the past, moving forward
Release the burden of past mistakes. The Gita shows the difference between guilt that teaches and guilt that imprisons.
Yathaidhamsi samiddho 'gnir bhasmasat kurute 'rjuna, jnanagnih sarva-karmani bhasmasat kurute tatha
As a blazing fire turns wood to ashes, O Arjuna, so the fire of knowledge burns all karmic reactions to ashes.
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.
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.
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.
Tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samachara, asakto hy acharan karma param apnoti purushah
Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform action which is duty, for by performing action without attachment, one attains the Supreme.
Kim karma kim akarmeti kavayo 'py atra mohitah, tat te karma pravakshyami yaj jnatva mokshyase 'shubhat
Even the wise are bewildered as to what is action and what is inaction. I shall teach you what action is, knowing which you shall be freed from all inauspiciousness.
Karmano hy api boddhavyam boddhavyam ca vikarmanah, akarmanas ca boddhavyam gahana karmano gatih
The intricacies of action must be understood — and similarly the intricacies of forbidden action and of inaction must be known. The truth of action is profound and difficult to fathom.
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah
You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.
Yajna-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat
The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all kinds of sin. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Karmany evadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana, ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango 'stv akarmani
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
Api ced asi papebhyah sarvebhyah papa-krit-tamah, sarvam jnana-plavenaiva vrjinam santarishyasi
Even if you are the most sinful of all sinners, once you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge, you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.
Na hi jnanena sadrisham pavitram iha vidyate, tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah kalenatmani vindati
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. One who has become accomplished in yoga finds it within their own self in due course of time.
Arjuna uvaca: Nashto mohah smritir labdha tvat-prasadan mayacyuta, sthito 'smi gata-sandehah karishye vacanam tava
Arjuna said: O infallible Krishna, my illusion is dispelled, and by Your grace I have regained memory. I am now firm and free from doubt, and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.
Partha naiveha namutra vinashas tasya vidyate, na hi kalyana-krit kashchid durgatim tata gacchati
O Arjuna, neither in this world nor in the next is there destruction for such a person. Never does one who does good come to grief.
Nehabhikrama-nasho 'sti pratyavayo na vidyate, svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat
In this path, no effort is wasted and no loss is suffered. Even a little progress on this path protects one from the most fearful danger.
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.
Mam hi partha vyapashritya ye 'pi syuh papa-yonayah, striyo vaishyas tatha shudras te 'pi yanti param gatim
O Partha, even those who are born of sinful wombs — women, merchants (vaishyas), and labourers (shudras) — by taking refuge in Me, they too attain the supreme destination. Devotion transcends all social categories; the path of surrender to God is open to every soul regardless of birth or status.
Buddhir jnanam asammohah ksama satyam damah shamah, sukham duhkham bhavo 'bhavo bhayam cabhayam eva ca
Intelligence, knowledge, freedom from doubt and delusion, forgiveness, truthfulness, self-control and calmness, happiness and distress, birth, death, fear, and fearlessness — all these diverse qualities of living beings arise from Me alone.
Mac-chittah sarva-durgani mat-prasadat tarishyasi, atha cet tvam ahankaran na shroshyasi vinankshyasi
If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. But if you do not work in such consciousness, but act through ego, you will be lost.
Tam eva śharaṇaṁ gachchha sarva-bhāvena bhārata, tat-prasādāt parāṁ śhāntim sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śhāśhvatam
Surrender exclusively unto Him with your whole being, O Bharata. By His grace, you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode.
Read slowly and contemplate. Don't rush through these verses. Pick one that resonates and sit with it for a few minutes.
Return regularly. Ancient wisdom reveals itself gradually. Come back to these verses when you need them.
Apply to your situation. Consider how each teaching relates specifically to what you're experiencing right now.
Share what helps. If a verse brings you peace or clarity, share it with others who might need it.