Below are the shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita that emphasize the purpose of life (attaining liberation, self-realization, devotion to Krishna, and selfless duty), listed with their shloka numbers and one-line English descriptions.
- 2.51: The wise, detached from results, attain liberation from rebirth.
- 2.71: Renouncing desires, the sage finds peace without ego.
- 2.72: Attaining this state ensures liberation, even at life’s end.
- 3.19: Perform duties selflessly to attain the supreme goal.
- 4.9: Knowing Krishna’s divine birth leads to liberation.
- 4.35: True knowledge reveals all beings as part of Krishna.
- 4.36: Knowledge destroys even the greatest sins.
- 4.37: Wisdom’s fire burns all karma, like fire consumes wood.
- 4.38: Nothing purifies like knowledge, attained through yoga.
- 4.39: The faithful, focused on knowledge, quickly find peace.
- 5.24: Inner joy and light lead to liberation in Brahman.
- 5.25: Purified sages, free from duality, attain divine peace.
- 5.26: The self-controlled, desire-free yogi quickly finds peace.
- 5.29: Knowing Krishna as the ultimate goal brings supreme peace.
- 6.15: Constant meditation leads to supreme peace in Krishna.
- 6.27: The pure-minded yogi attains supreme bliss in Brahman.
- 6.28: The disciplined yogi, free from sin, merges with Brahman.
- 6.40: Krishna assures that no effort in yoga is ever wasted.
- 6.45: With persistent effort, the yogi attains liberation.
- 7.29: Those seeking liberation from old age and death know Krishna.
- 8.5: Remembering Krishna at death ensures union with him.
- 8.7: Constantly think of Krishna and fight, dedicating actions to him.
- 8.14: Constant devotion to Krishna makes him easily attainable.
- 8.15: Great souls, reaching Krishna, escape rebirth’s suffering.
- 8.21: Krishna’s eternal realm is the supreme destination.
- 8.24: Departing in light, day, or auspicious times leads to liberation.
- 8.26: The path of light leads to liberation, eternal and supreme.
- 8.28: Beyond Vedic rewards, the yogi attains Krishna’s supreme abode.
- 9.2: This royal knowledge, pure and direct, grants liberation.
- 9.28: Offering actions to Krishna frees one from karmic bonds.
- 9.34: Fix the mind on Krishna, serve him, and attain him.
- 10.3: Knowing Krishna as unborn and supreme grants liberation.
- 12.6-7: Krishna rescues devotees who surrender all actions to him.
- 12.8: Fix the mind on Krishna to dwell in him always.
- 13.18: Knowing Brahman as field, knower, and knowledge grants liberation.
- 13.30: Seeing all beings as one in Brahman brings liberation.
- 13.34: Knowing the distinction between field and knower leads to liberation.
- 15.5: The humble and detached attain Krishna’s eternal abode.
- 15.6: Krishna’s realm, beyond sun or fire, is eternal.
- 18.46: Worshipping Krishna through duty leads to perfection.
- 18.50: Krishna explains how to attain Brahman through perfection.
- 18.54: The Brahman-realized soul, free from desire, serves Krishna.
- 18.55: Devotion reveals Krishna’s true essence, attaining him.
- 18.56: Krishna’s grace ensures success for devoted yogis.
- 18.62: Surrender to Krishna for supreme peace and abode.
- 18.65: Fix the mind on Krishna for certain liberation.
- 18.66: Abandon all duties and surrender to Krishna for freedom.
Total: 46 shlokas
Notes
- Selection Criteria: The 46 shlokas were selected for their direct focus on the purpose of life, emphasizing liberation through knowledge (e.g., 4.38, 13.34), devotion to Krishna (e.g., 9.34, 18.65), selfless duty (e.g., 3.19, 18.46), and attaining Krishna’s eternal abode (e.g., 8.21, 15.6), primarily from Chapters 2 (3 shlokas), 3 (1 shloka), 4 (5 shlokas), 5 (4 shlokas), 6 (3 shlokas), 7 (1 shloka), 8 (5 shlokas), 9 (3 shlokas), 10 (1 shloka), 12 (2 shlokas), 13 (3 shlokas), 15 (2 shlokas), and 18 (7 shlokas).