The Bhagavad Gita is often called the “manual for life.” It provides practical guidance on how to live a righteous and fulfilling life. Its timeless wisdom continues to inspire and guide people on their life journey. The subject of “Happiness” comes in the Bhagavad Gita 87 times, hence the basic theme of the Gita is to realize our true nature of Happiness. Here are 25 Happiness Tips derived from some of my favourite verses.
The very first verse of the Bhagavad Gita has the word “Dharma” (Duty) and the last verse ends with the word “mama” (mine/my), everything in between guides all of us—toward understanding our purpose and fulfilling it with unwavering commitment and leading a happy, fulfilling life.
The Bhagavad Gita empowers us
- By teaching us the right attitude and providing us with the knowledge to Face life with dignity and poise
- With a vision and values needed to Build a Happy, Successful, and Fulfilled Life.
“Do not go through the Gita; Allow the Gita to go through you” ~ Swami Chinmayananda
Keeping this in mind here are my favourite 25 Sholakas (Verses). The way the writing below is structured is that there is the verse in Sanskrit and English, followed by the literal translation in double quotes and then my understanding and the tips derived from the verse.
One may think how do the titles below relate to Happiness….if you think deeper on these you will realise practicing these will ultimately lead you to Peace and Happiness.
Happiness Tips from the Bhagavad Gita
Happiness Tips#1: Practice inclusiveness
| धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः | मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ||1|| | dhṛitarāśhtra uvācha dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya |
“Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, after gathering on the holy field of Kurukshetra, and desiring to fight, what did my people and the sons of Pandu do?”
In this opening verse of the Bhagavad Gita, King Dhritarashtra, who is blind, inquires from his charioteer Sanjaya about the events unfolding on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The Kurukshetra battlefield is referred to as “Dharmakshetra” (the field of righteousness), where the great war between the Kauravas (his sons) and the Pandavas took place. Dhritarashtra is anxious to know the actions of both sides as they stand ready for battle.
Dritrashtra the king of Hastinapur is creating a difference when he refers to “my people” and “Pandavas”. Though they are from the same clan he is not considering Pandavas a part of his family. They probably wouldn’t have reached the doorstep of a war if he had practiced inclusiveness. Respecting and thinking about the welfare of people around us, we are less likely to enter conflicts with them.
Happiness Tips#2: I am not the body
| वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि | तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही || 22|| | vāsānsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya navāni gṛihṇāti naro ’parāṇi tathā śharīrāṇi vihāya jīrṇānya nyāni sanyāti navāni dehī |
“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.”
This is a beautiful metaphorical shloka/verse explaining the concept of the indestructible Self. Just as a man discards worn-out clothes and adorns new clothes similarly, we adorn a new body and cast the old one, hence it clearly shows that the body decays and perishes but the Self is changeless. Living with this attitude gives us the courage to face life’s challenges as change is a constant in life but all changes pass.
Happiness Tips#3: Work for a higher cause
| यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धन: | तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्ग: समाचर || 9|| | yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samāchara |
“The world is bound by actions other than those performed for the sake of sacrifice; therefore, O son of Kunti perform actions for the sake of yajna alone, free from all attachments.”
Working in the spirit of yajna means working without selfish motives and for the benefit of people at large, in other words for a higher cause. Working for a higher cause motivates us to keep going and giving our best. Working unselfishly also gives a sense of peace and satisfaction.
Happiness Tips#4: Good prevails in the long run
| यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत | अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् || 7|| | yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛijāmyaham |
| परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् | धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे || 8|| | paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśhāya cha duṣhkṛitām dharma-sansthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge |
“Whenever there is decay of righteousness and rise of unrighteousness then I manifest myself.”
Many Spiritual texts try to harp on this point with stories and examples. Belief in the higher gives us strength to face life’s challenges while maintaining our goodness.
“For the protection of the good and destruction of the wicked, for the firm establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age.”
History shows that Saints were born in various lands during different eras and revived goodness in the masses when things started to decay. Hope for a righteous society gives one the motivation to keep on the path and keep up the good work. By doing so the person becomes a model for the others to follow.
Happiness Tips#5: Eating with the right attitude
| ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् | ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना || 24|| | brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā |
“For those who are completely absorbed in God-consciousness, the oblation is Brahman, the ladle with which it is offered is Brahman, the act of offering is Brahman, and the sacrificial fire is also Brahman. Such persons, who view everything as God, easily attain Him.”
In a Yagna there is oblation(offering), the fire, the Ghee (clarified butter), and the person performing the yagna. All these are referred to as Bhraman. Brahman represents the ultimate reality, the divine essence that pervades all existence. One who sees this unity in diversity, recognizing that all actions, objects, and participants in the sacrifice are non-different from the divine essence, easily attain the divine.
This verse offers a comparison between Yagna and a person eating. While eating the person should offer food to the digestive fire treating it with respect and offering it the best so that it provides the required nourishment to the body. When one eats with this attitude, he/she will eat nutritious with a calm mind, helping the body to function at its best.
Happiness Tips#6: What you sow is what you reap
| न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभु: | न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते || 14|| | na kartṛitvaṁ na karmāṇi lokasya sṛijati prabhuḥ na karma-phala-saṅyogaṁ svabhāvas tu pravartate |
“Neither agency nor actions does the Lord create for the world, nor union with the fruits of actions. But it is Nature that acts.”
No Doership (न कर्तृत्वं): Actions are performed, but there is no individual doer. Imagine a river flowing—it doesn’t claim ownership of its movement; it just flows.
No Binding to Results (न कर्मफलसंयोगं): Detach from the outcomes of actions. Like a farmer sowing seeds—once done, the growth is beyond their control.
Nature’s Inherent Flow (स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते): Everything follows its natural course. Just as seasons change—winter turns to spring without effort.
Let’s understand this further with examples:
Breathing: We breathe in and out, yet the body manages this automatically. We don’t control each breath consciously.
Sunrise and Sunset: The sun rises and sets daily. We don’t make it happen—it’s part of the cosmic order.
No one outside of ourselves is making us act or dispensing the fruits of our actions. It’s our nature that prompts us to act and the way we act in turn determines the fruits of our actions.
Happiness Tips#7: Lift yourself by yourself
| उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् | आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन: || 5|| | uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ |
“Let a man lift himself by his own self alone and let him not lower himself; for self alone is the friend of oneself and this self alone is the enemy of oneself.”
In this profound verse, Lord Krishna imparts timeless wisdom.
Self-Elevation (उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं): Lift yourself through self-effort. Imagine climbing a mountain—you ascend step by step, relying on your own strength.
Self-Degradation (नात्मानमवसादयेत्): Avoid lowering yourself. Like a bird that doesn’t clip its own wings, don’t hinder your own progress.
Self as Friend and Foe (आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः): Your mind (self) can be your best friend or worst enemy. When controlled, it uplifts you (friend); when uncontrolled, it sabotages (foe).
Here are a few examples of how we can lift ourselves
• Positive Self-Talk: Encourage yourself with uplifting thoughts. Be your own cheerleader.
• Self-growth: Learn to break the habits of the mind by not giving into mental compulsions.
• Inner Conflict: When inner conflict arises, learn to differentiate the thoughts as inner foe and friend.
Remember, you hold the key to your own growth and well-being.
Happiness Tips#8: See the Oneness in the universe
| उद्धमत्त: परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय | मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव || 7|| | mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñchid asti dhanañjaya mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva |
“There is nothing higher than Myself, O Arjuna. Everything rests in Me, as beads strung on a thread.”
Like the ocean contains all waves; similarly, the supreme encompasses all existence. Like the pearls strung in a string, all of us in the universe are connected by an invisible thread. In each one of us, the underlying consciousness is the same and hence all of us are ONE.
The more we are aware of the oneness lesser the conflicts in our lives leading to peace and happiness.
Happiness Tips#9: We manifest what we think
| अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् | य: प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशय: || 5|| | anta-kāle cha mām eva smaran muktvā kalevaram yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ yāti nāstyatra sanśhayaḥ |
“And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this, there is no doubt.”
The last thoughts of a dying man order his future embodiments and their environment. The way we think about something affects the way we feel about it. Our thoughts and feelings influence our behaviours, choices, and ultimately outcomes.
Hence, we need to train our minds to focus on what we desire so that we can manifest our desires in this life and beyond.
Happiness Tips#10: Concept of causeless cause
| उद्धमगतिर्भर्ता प्रभु: साक्षी निवास: शरणं सुहृत् | प्रभव: प्रलय: स्थानं निधानं बीजमव्ययम् || 18|| | gatir bhartā prabhuḥ sākṣhī nivāsaḥ śharaṇaṁ suhṛit prabhavaḥ pralayaḥ sthānaṁ nidhānaṁ bījam avyayam |
“I am the Supreme Goal of all living beings, and I am also their Sustainer, Master, Witness, Abode, Shelter, and Friend. I am the Origin, End, and Resting Place of creation; I am the Repository and Eternal Seed.”
Usually, the seeds perish while they germinate and produce the plant/trees. The self is no doubt the origin of the ‘tree of samsara’ but it is not transformed. It is immutable.
Imagine a chain of events, where each event is caused by something that came before it. For instance, you wake up when your alarm clock rings because you set it the night before. Now, consider a cause that doesn’t have any prior cause – something that exists without needing anything else to create it. That’s the causeless cause!
So, the causeless cause is like the mysterious starting point – the spark that sets everything in motion without needing anything else to ignite it!
Science believes that the Big Bang was the start of everything. But what caused the Big Bang? If you answer that then what caused that…and it will go on. Hence we realize there is something immutable, which is causeless.
In this verse, the causeless cause is explained using the example of a seed. Once this concept is understood, we realize that there is something higher than ourselves, and we can let go of our ego. If everything is not about just me and I see the larger picture, this makes me happier.
Happiness Tips#11: Success in life is guaranteed
| अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते | तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् || 22|| | ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham |
“Those who constantly think of Me with unwavering devotion and worship Me exclusively—I personally carry their yoga (spiritual well-being) and kṣhema (material welfare).”
Material Success is defined as
• Kshema – Power to guard what you already possess
• Yoga – power to gain what you don’t have already
If we practice the three qualities; the consistency of willingness and thinking, singleness of purpose, and self-control material and spiritual success is guaranteed.
Happiness Tips#13: The Changeless Self pervades all experiences
| अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थित: | अहमादिश्च मध्यं च भूतानामन्त एव च || 20|| | aham ātmā guḍākeśha sarva-bhūtāśhaya-sthitaḥ aham ādiśh cha madhyaṁ cha bhūtānām anta eva cha |
“I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the heart of all beings; I am the beginning, the middle and also the end of all beings.”
In simple terms, all our experiences in the waking state, dream state, and sleep state emanate from the Changeless Self and merge back into the changeless self. The true purpose of life is to realize this changeless self within or without.
Happiness Tips#14: Achieving fulfillment in life
| मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्त: सङ्गवर्जित: | निर्वैर: सर्वभूतेषु य: स मामेति पाण्डव || 55|| | mat-karma-kṛin mat-paramo mad-bhaktaḥ saṅga-varjitaḥ nirvairaḥ sarva-bhūteṣhu yaḥ sa mām eti pāṇḍava |
“He who does actions for Me, who looks upon Me as the Supreme, who is devoted to Me, who is free from attachment, who bears enmity towards none, he comes to Me, O Pandava.”
One can achieve fulfillment if
- Actions are dedicated to the highest understanding of Reality (e.g. Infinity, God, Nature etc..)
- Working on goals that are beneficial to more and more beings than just the individual self.
- Free from personal attachments
- Devoid of enmity
Happiness Tips#15: Modalities leading to higher inner peace
| श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते | ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् || 12|| | śhreyo hi jñānam abhyāsāj jñānād dhyānaṁ viśhiṣhyate dhyānāt karma-phala-tyāgas tyāgāch chhāntir anantaram |
“Knowledge is indeed better than practice; meditation is better than knowledge; renunciation of the fruits of actions is better than meditation; peace immediately follows renunciation.”
Mere ritualistic actions, performed without understanding, are like empty shells. “Better than knowledge is meditation.” Beyond knowledge lies meditation—immersing the mind in contemplation of the divine. Through meditation, we develop detachment from worldly desires and connect with our inner Self.
“Better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of actions.” When we let go of attachment to outcomes, we find peace.
Imagine a student studying for an exam. Mechanical practice would be mindlessly memorizing facts. Knowledge, however, involves understanding concepts deeply. Meditation would be reflecting on what was learned, and connecting it to life. Finally, renunciation means studying not for grades but for the love of learning.
Happiness Tips#16: Understand the unperishing in all experiences of change
| समं सर्वेषु भूतेषु तिष्ठन्तं परमेश्वरम् | विनश्यत्स्वविनश्यन्तं य: पश्यति स पश्यति || 28|| | samaṁ sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu tiṣhṭhantaṁ parameśhvaram vinaśhyatsv avinaśhyantaṁ yaḥ paśhyati sa paśhyati |
“He sees, who sees the supreme Lord existing equally in all beings, the unperishing within the perishing.”
Change and the unchanging Self are the only two constants in life. The more we identify with the unchanging Self the happier we are and less afflicted by the changes in our life.
Happiness Tips#17: Practise Equanimity and rise above the transient nature
| समदु:खसुख: स्वस्थ: समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चन: | तुल्यप्रियाप्रियो धीरस्तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुति: || 24|| मानापमानयोस्तुल्यस्तुल्यो मित्रारिपक्षयो: | सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी गुणातीत: स उच्यते || 25|| | sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ sva-sthaḥ sama-loṣhṭāśhma-kāñchanaḥ tulya-priyāpriyo dhīras tulya-nindātma-sanstutiḥ mānāpamānayos tulyas tulyo mitrāri-pakṣhayoḥ sarvārambha-parityāgī guṇātītaḥ sa uchyate |
“Alike in pleasure and pain; who dwells in the Self; to whom a clod of earth, a precious stone and gold are alike; to whom the dear and the not-dear are the same; firm; the same in censure and self praise…”
Characteristics of those who have transcended the three modes of material/transient nature (sattva, rajas, and tamas) exhibit remarkable qualities:
- They remain balanced in both happiness and distress.
- They see a clod of earth, a stone, and a piece of gold as equally valuable.
- Amidst pleasant and unpleasant events, they maintain steady composure.
- They accept both blame and praise with equanimity.
“The same in honour and dishonour; the same to friend and foe; abandoning all undertakings – he is said to have crossed beyond the gunas.”
Characteristics of One who has risen above his transient nature
- Remains balanced in honour and dishonour.
- Treats both friend and foe alike.
- They renounce all efforts driven by selfish desires.
Happiness Tips#18: You only carry your subtle impressions
| शरीरं यदवाप्नोति यच्चाप्युत्क्रामतीश्वर: | गृहीत्वैतानि संयाति वायुर्गन्धानिवाशयात् || 8|| | śharīraṁ yad avāpnoti yach chāpy utkrāmatīśhvaraḥ gṛihītvaitāni sanyāti vāyur gandhān ivāśhayāt |
“When the Lord obtains a body and when He leaves it, He takes these and goes (with them) as the wind takes the scents from their seats (the flowers).”
The verse emphasizes the continuity of the soul’s journey across different bodies, akin to how the wind carries scents from one location to another. Hence the kind of subtle impressions we create now will affect our future embodiments.
Happiness Tips#19: Be mindful when eating
| अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रित: | प्राणापानसमायुक्त: पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम् || 14|| | ahaṁ vaiśhvānaro bhūtvā prāṇināṁ deham āśhritaḥ prāṇāpāna-samāyuktaḥ pachāmy annaṁ chatur-vidham |
“Having become (the fire) Vaisvanara, I abide in the body of beings and associated with prana and apana, digest the fourfold food.”
I am the fire of digestion within all living beings. I reside in their bodies, combining with the incoming and outgoing breaths. Through this process, I digest and assimilate the four types of food.
Digestive Fire: Imagine the stomach as a magical furnace that turns food into energy. Just like a fire burns wood to produce heat, the stomach “burns” food to extract nutrients.
Breathing Connection: Now, think of your breath as the bellows that keep the fire going. When you breathe in, you’re stoking the digestive fire. When you breathe out, you’re fanning it.
Four Types of Food: The food that we eat falls into four categories: solids, liquids, semi-solids, and air (yes, even air nourishes us).
We eat these 4 categories of food by chewing, swallowing, licking and sucking. The digestive fire transforms all these types into energy the body can use.
When we eat, remembering the magical fire in our belly and how our breath keeps it alive there is a sense of gratitude for the supreme which keeps us going. When food is eaten with this attitude the nourishment, we get from it is better.
Happiness Tips#20: Avoid over-indulgence, anger and greed
| त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मन: | काम: क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् || 21|| | tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśhanam ātmanaḥ kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet |
“These three are gates of hell, destructive of the Self- lust, anger and greed; therefore, one should abandon these three.”
There are three gates leading to the hell of self-destruction —lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon all three. Let’s break it down:
Lust: It’s an insatiable craving or desire that consumes you. One cannot think beyond it, it can lead one down a destructive path.
Anger: Anger burns reason, compassion, and peace. It’s like opening a gate to inner turmoil.
Greed: It’s an insatiable hunger for more—more wealth, power, or possessions. Greed blinds us to what truly matters in life.
To avoid self-destruction, recognize these gateways and consciously choose to let go of over-indulgence, anger, and greed to be able to lead a happier life.
Happiness Tips#21: Practice the right speech
| अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् | स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते || 15|| | anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ cha yat svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ chaiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uchyate |
“Speech which causes no excitement and is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, and the practice of the study of the Vedas – these constitute the austerity of speech.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of mindful speech. Imagine you’re having a conversation with someone. A sattvic (pure, virtuous) way of speaking involves:
• Not causing agitation: Avoid saying things that upset or disturb others.
• Truthfulness: Speak the truth.
• Pleasantness: Use kind and pleasant words.
• Beneficial speech: Share helpful information.
For instance, if someone asks for your opinion on their new haircut, you can be honest without being hurtful. That’s austerity of speech.
Happiness Tips#22: Practice austerity of the mind
| मन: प्रसाद: सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रह: | भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते || 16|| | manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ bhāva-sanśhuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam uchyate |
“Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, silence, self-control, purity of nature- these together are called the mental austerity.”
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the qualities of austerity related to the mind:
Mental Tranquility (मन: प्रसाद:):,
• Cultivating a calm and serene mind.
• Being free from agitation and restlessness.
• Imagine a peaceful lake undisturbed by ripples.
Gentleness (सौम्यत्वं):
• Having a gentle, kind, and compassionate disposition.
• Treating others with softness and understanding.
• Like a gentle breeze that soothes rather than disturbs.
Silence (मौनम):
Silence doesn’t only mean keeping quiet or not speaking.
• Practicing inner silence and contemplation. Like the quietude of a meditative mind.
• Not indulging in unnecessary chatter or gossip.
Self-Control (आत्मविनिग्रहः):
• Exercising restraint over desires and impulses.
• Mastering the mind’s tendencies like a skilled charioteer guiding wild horses.
Purity of Intent (भावसंशुद्धि):
• Having sincere and pure intentions.
• Aligning thoughts and actions with higher ideals.
• Like a crystal-clear stream untainted by impurities.
In summary, these qualities constitute mental austerity (tapas) and lead to spiritual growth. They purify the mind and make us more peaceful.
Happiness Tips#23: Practice the right thinking
| प्रवृत्तिंच निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये | बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्तिबुद्धि: सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी || 30|| | pravṛittiṁ cha nivṛittiṁ cha kāryākārye bhayābhaye bandhaṁ mokṣhaṁ cha yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī |
“That, which knows the paths of work and renunciation, what ought to be done and what ought not be done, fear and fearlessness, bondage and liberation, that understanding is sattvik (pure), O Partha.”
The intellect is considered sattvic (in the nature of goodness) when it discerns:
Proper action (kārya) and improper action (akārya).
What should be feared and what should be unfeared.
What is binding and what is liberating.
Such an intellect understands the concepts of bondage (bandha) and liberation (moksha). It illuminates the path of right choices and helps us navigate life wisely, in turn leading to happiness.
Happiness Tips#24: Follow your swadharma
| श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् | स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् || 47|| | śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt svabhāva-niyataṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣham |
“Better is one’s own duty (though) destitute of merits, than the duty of another well-performed. He, who does the duty ordained by his own nature incurs no sin.”
Here’s a deeper understanding:
Swa-dharma: Refers to our prescribed duties based on our nature, skills, and responsibilities.
Para-dharma: Signifies duties that belong to someone else or are not naturally ours.
When we perform our swa-dharma, it aligns with our disposition and feels natural. Even if we do it imperfectly, it leads to spiritual growth.
Abandoning our duties and taking up others’ duties can lead to inner conflict and struggle.
As we evolve spiritually, our swa-dharma may change, eventually becoming devotion to God.
Remember, doing our duties sincerely, even with imperfections, is more beneficial than flawlessly performing someone else’s duties.
Happiness Tips#25: Follow a life of higher purpose
| यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: | तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम || 78|| | yatra yogeśhvaraḥ kṛiṣhṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ tatra śhrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama |
“Wherever is Krsna, the Lord of yoga, wherever is Partha, the archer, there are prosperity, victory, happiness and firm(steady and sound) policy; this is my conviction.”
When Lord Krishna (symbolizing wisdom) and Arjuna (symbolizing action) come together, great things happen.
Think of it like teamwork: when knowledge and effort combine, success, prosperity, and righteousness follow.
For instance, a coach (Krishna) guiding a player (Arjuna) leads to victory on the field.
This being the very last verse in the Bhagavad Gita guarantees a life of prosperity and happiness when one follows a life of higher purpose.
References
- The Holy Gita – Swami Chinmayananda
- Bhagavad Gita The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda
- The Gita Reference Guide