25 Important Shlokas from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita

Below are 25 significant shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita, covering key teachings on duty, self-control, karma, devotion, and liberation, listed with their shloka numbers and one-line English descriptions.

• 2.7: Arjuna, confused, surrenders to Krishna as his disciple, seeking guidance.
• 2.12: Krishna explains that souls exist forever, beyond birth and death.
• 2.20: The soul is never born nor dies, remaining eternal and unchanging.
• 2.27: Death is certain for the born, and birth follows death, so avoid sorrow.
• 2.47: Act without attachment to results, focusing only on duty.
• 2.55: Krishna says the wise abandon desires, finding joy in the self.
• 2.62: Attachment to sense objects breeds desire, anger, and delusion.
• 2.71: Renouncing desires, the sage finds peace without ego.
• 3.9: Selfless action as sacrifice frees one from karmic bondage.
• 3.19: Perform duties selflessly to attain the supreme goal.
• 3.35: Following one’s own duty is better than another’s, even if imperfect.
• 4.7: Krishna incarnates whenever dharma declines and adharma rises.
• 4.8: Krishna descends to protect the righteous and destroy evil.
• 4.37: Wisdom’s fire burns all karma, like fire consumes wood.
• 5.10: Offering actions to Brahman, one is untouched by sin.
• 6.5: Elevate the self through discipline, not degradation.
• 6.35: Krishna says discipline and detachment can control the restless mind.
• 8.5: Remembering Krishna at death ensures union with him.
• 8.15: Great souls, reaching Krishna, escape rebirth’s suffering.
• 9.26: Krishna accepts even a leaf offered with pure devotion.
• 9.34: Fix the mind on Krishna, serve him, and attain him.
• 12.6-7: Krishna rescues devotees who surrender all actions to him.
• 14.20: Transcending gunas frees one from birth and death.
• 18.65: Fix the mind on Krishna for certain liberation.
• 18.66: Abandon all duties and surrender to Krishna for freedom.

Total: 25 shlokas

Notes

• Selection Criteria: The 25 shlokas were chosen as a condensed subset of the Gita’s core teachings across themes: Arjuna’s Dilemma (1 shloka, 2.7), Nature of the Soul (3 shlokas, e.g., 2.12, 2.20), Karma Yoga (4 shlokas, e.g., 2.47, 3.19), Jnana Yoga (4 shlokas, e.g., 2.55, 4.37), Bhakti Yoga (6 shlokas, e.g., 9.34, 18.65), Dhyana Yoga (2 shlokas, e.g., 6.5, 6.35), Three Gunas (1 shloka, 14.20), Krishna’s Divine Nature (2 shlokas, 4.7, 4.8), and Liberation (2 shlokas, e.g., 8.15, 18.66). The focus is on duty, self-control, devotion, and liberation.