Monday, October 26, 2026

गीतापञ्चामृतम् - Five immortal shlokas of the Bhagavadgita


During the on-going 75th-year celebration of Chinmaya Mission, aptly called the Amrit Mahotsav, they have selected and released notes on Gita Panchamrit. 

Based on my own study of the Gita, I have listed below the five immortal verses that summarize the message of the Gita for me:
I
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् । आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥ ६-५॥ 
One should lift oneself up through mindfulness; otherwise, one drags oneself down.
II
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः । तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥ ३-९॥    
Except work done as worship, all endeavours cause egoistic bondage. 
III
यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् । स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ॥ १८-४६॥ Worshipping the Divine, who creates and suffuses this universe, through one's work, one attains wisdom. 
IV
ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति । समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ॥ १८-५४॥ 
The signs of a wise one are that he is cheerful always, grieves not, craves not, and feels equal toward all. Such a one gains supreme devotion. 
V
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते । तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ॥ ९-२२॥ 
Those single-minded in devotion are under the Divine's care in the here and hereafter.