Bhagavad Gita for when you are losing hope
The Gita opens with a man who has given up. Arjuna drops his bow and says he will not go on. Krishna does not lecture him about positivity. He reminds him who he is, promises that nothing done in good faith is wasted, and tells him he is carried.
Skip to the verse for your situation ↓5 verses from the Gita
- Bhagavad Gita 2.3 · Krishna
Krishna’s first push: do not give in to this weakness. Stand up.
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते । क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ॥
“Do not yield to weakness, Partha. It does not suit you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and rise, scorcher of foes.”
हे पृथानन्दन अर्जुन इस नपुंसकताको मत प्राप्त हो क्योंकि तुम्हारेमें यह उचित नहीं है । हे परंतप हृदयकी इस तुच्छ दुर्बलताका त्याग करके युद्धके लिये खड़े हो जाओ ॥
There is strength in refusing to stay collapsed when duty calls.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 6.5 · Krishna
Raise yourself by yourself. Do not let yourself sink.
उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् । आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥
“Lift yourself by yourself; do not let yourself fall. The true self is its own friend, and the true self is its own enemy.”
अपने द्वारा अपना उद्धार करे, अपना पतन न करे क्योंकि आप ही अपना मित्र है और आप ही अपना शत्रु है ॥
You are not helpless in your own life; the way you handle yourself changes everything.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 6.40 · Krishna
One who does good never comes to ruin.
श्री भगवानुवाचपार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते । नहि कल्याणकृत्कश्िचद्दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति ॥
“Krishna said: O Partha, there is no destruction for him either here or hereafter. No one who does good ever comes to a bad end, my dear.”
श्रीभगवान् बोले हे पृथानन्दन उसका न तो इस लोकमें और न परलोकमें ही विनाश होता है क्योंकि हे प्यारे कल्याणकारी काम करनेवाला कोई भी मनुष्य दुर्गतिको प्राप्त नहीं जाता ॥
You can keep going without fear that honest effort will be wasted.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 9.22 · Krishna
To those who turn to him, Krishna brings what they lack and keeps what they have.
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते । तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ॥
“Those who think of me alone and worship me with unwavering focus—I carry their welfare and security.”
जो अनन्य भक्त मेरा चिन्तन करते हुए मेरी उपासना करते हैं, मेरेमें निरन्तर लगे हुए उन भक्तोंका योगक्षेम अप्राप्तकी प्राप्ति और प्राप्तकी रक्षा मैं वहन करता हूँ ॥
Devotion can feel like being held instead of having to hold everything alone.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 18.66 · Krishna
Take refuge. I will free you. Do not grieve.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज । अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥
“Abandon all duties and take refuge in Me alone. I will free you from all wrongdoing; do not grieve.”
सम्पूर्ण धर्मोंका आश्रय छोड़कर तू केवल मेरी शरणमें आ जा । मैं तुझे सम्पूर्ण पापोंसे मुक्त कर दूँगा, चिन्ता मत कर ॥
There is relief in surrendering what you cannot finally control.
Meaning and commentary →
If you have felt low for weeks, or have thoughts of harming yourself, please talk to a doctor or someone you trust. In India, Tele-MANAS is free and confidential on 14416.