Question


What is the core message of the Bhagavad-gītā? What are some verses from Bhagavad-gītā that one can refer to, to enrich life in

general?

Answer


The answer to this question would depend on whether the reader of the Gita is a householder or a sannyasi or monk.

The best teaching for a householder is the stirring call of the Gita to fight the problems of life:

Gita 2.3:

क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते ।
क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ।। 2.3 ।।

O Partha! Yield not to unmanliness! It befits thee not. Abandoning this base faint-heartedness, rise up, O dreaded hero.

The best teaching for a sannyasi is the advice of the Gita to relinquish all desire-prompted actions:

Gita 18.2:

काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः ।
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः ।।18.2।।

Abandonment of all desire-prompted actions is Samnyasa (renunciation) according to the wise. Men of discernment speak of the abandonment of the fruits of all actions as Tyaga (relinquishment).

Gita 18.6:

एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च ।
कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्िचतं मतमुत्तमम् ।।18.6।।

O Son of Prtha! Even these works are to be performed without attachment and desire for their fruits. This is My settled and decisive view.


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