Guidance for

Work-Life Balance

Harmony in all areas

Excel at work without sacrificing everything else. The Gita's wisdom on balanced living.

13 verses to guide you • Ancient wisdom for modern challenges

Verses for Work-Life Balance

Action is better than inaction

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.

  • Even survival requires action
  • Fulfill your responsibilities

Dedicate all work to the divine

Yajna-arthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah, tad-artham karma kaunteya mukta-sangah samachara

Work must be done as a sacrifice to the Supreme; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your duties for His satisfaction, and you will be free from bondage.

  • Work without dedication creates bondage
  • Freedom through sacred action

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

Yoga transcends ordinary morality

Buddhi-yukto jahatiha ubhe sukrita-dushkrite, tasmad yogaya yujyasva yogah karmasu kaushalam

One who practices yoga of the intellect abandons both good and bad deeds in this life. Therefore, strive for yoga. Yoga is skill in action.

  • Skillful action is the goal
  • Balance and wisdom in all activities

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

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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