Guidance for

Rejection

Your worth is not determined by others

When others say no, the universe may be protecting you for something better. Trust your path.

15 verses to guide you • Ancient wisdom for modern challenges

Verses for Rejection

Focus on action, not outcomes

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.

  • Detachment from results
  • Duty over desire

Stay true to your own path

Shreyan sva-dharmo vigunah para-dharmat sv-anushthitat, sva-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah

It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Better to die performing one's own duty than adopt another's, for that is dangerous.

  • Authenticity over perfection
  • Each person's dharma is unique

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

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

Mental conquest leads to supreme peace

Jitatmanah prasantasya paramatma samahitah, shitoshna-sukha-duhkheshu tatha manapamanayoh

One who has conquered the mind has already reached the Supreme Self, for they have attained tranquility. To such a person, happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same.

  • Equanimity in all conditions
  • Transcending dualities

Treat opposites with equanimity

Sukha-duhkhe same kritva labhalabhau jayajayau, tato yuddhaya yujyasva naivam papam avapsyasi

Fight for the sake of duty, treating alike happiness and distress, loss and gain, victory and defeat. Fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never incur sin.

  • Duty transcends personal preference
  • Balanced action prevents karma

Inner joy transcends external pleasures

Bahya-sparseshv asaktatma vindaty atmani yat sukham, sa brahma-yoga-yuktatma sukham akshayam ashnute

Those who are not attached to external sense pleasures realize divine bliss in the self. Being united with God through meditation, they experience unending happiness.

  • Divine connection brings lasting happiness
  • Detachment from senses leads to bliss

Brahman realization brings joy

Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na shochati na kankshati, samah sarveshu bhuteshu mad-bhaktim labhate param

One who is thus transcendentally situated realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. Such a person never laments nor desires anything, is equal to all beings, and attains supreme devotion to Me.

  • Equal vision toward all
  • This state leads to supreme devotion

How to use these verses

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.

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