Reclaiming your worth
You are more than your worst moment. Discover your eternal, unblemished nature beyond temporary mistakes.
Dehino'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara, tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati
As the embodied soul continuously passes through childhood, youth, and old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.
Vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro 'parani, tatha sharirani vihaya jirnany anyani samyati navani dehi
As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, likewise, at the time of death, the soul casts off its worn-out body and enters a new one.
Nainam chindanti shastrani nainam dahati pavakah, na chainam kledayanty apo na shoshayati marutah
Weapons cannot shred the soul, nor can fire burn it. Water cannot wet it, nor can the wind dry it.
Acchedyo 'yam adahyo 'yam akledyo 'shoshya eva ca, nityah sarva-gatah sthanur acalo 'yam sanatanah
This soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can neither be burned nor dried. It is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ihaiva tair jitah sargo yesham samye sthitam manah, nirdosham hi samam brahma tasmad brahmani te sthitah
Even here in this world, those whose minds rest in equanimity have conquered birth; since Brahman is flawless and equal, they are established in Brahman. Equanimity of mind is not merely a virtue — it is the direct perception of Brahman's nature.
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.
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.
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.
Samam sarveshu bhutesu tishthantam parameshvaram, vinashyatsv avinashyantam yah pashyati sa pashyati
One who sees the Supreme Lord equally present in all beings, the imperishable within the perishable — that person truly sees. The hallmark of genuine realization is the perception of the Divine equally in all forms of existence.
Na jayate mriyate va kadacin nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah ajo nityah shashvato 'yam purano na hanyate hanyamane sharire
The soul is never born nor dies at any time. It has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain. This is one of the most celebrated descriptions of the immortal Atman in all scripture.
Udarah sarva evaite jnani tv atmaiva me matam, asthitah sa hi yuktatma mam evanuttamam gatim
All these devotees are certainly noble souls, but I consider the jnani to be My very Self. Established in yoga, the jnani has attained Me as the supreme goal. While all four types of devotees are noble, the enlightened devotee (jnani) who sees no distinction between self and God is considered the most exalted.
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.
Aham atma gudakesha sarva-bhutashaya-sthitah, aham adish cha madhyam cha bhutanam anta eva cha
I am the self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all beings. I am the beginning, middle, and end of all beings.
Mamaivamsho jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah, manah-shashthanindriyani prakrti-sthani karshati
The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.
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.