Top 25 Bhagavad Gita quotes, 14 motivational thoughts for students

Studies have proved that the wisdom of cardinal scriptural principles, can help anchor young students.

• Scriptures like Bhagavad Gita can banish their confusions and allay their fears.

• A simple look at the fundamental values of life can infuse young students with strength, inner peace, stability and inspiration.

• Bhagavad Gita is a distilled essence of the Vedas and Upanishads. This concise handbook is universally useful for people of all times and kinds.

• The Kurukshetra war is metaphorical of the constant battle within us. Young students lose objectivity while processing their external stimuli: the fads, the social media likes, the passion, the jealousy, the pride and the anger. Not to mention their deep seated complexes that ask, am I cool or not?… do I fit in or not?

Through the 18 chapter discourse of the Gita, Lord Krishna responds to Prince Arjuna’s despondency, fear and confusion.

Read Swami Sivananda’s Bhagavad Gita or Swami Chinmayananda’s The Holy Geeta for a detailed study

Here are 25 quotes from the Bhagavad Gita quotes that can help ground and inspire the students of today:

1. Always be focussed and one-pointed. Students should pour efforts and motivation into a single goal. Chasing multiple thoughts, goals and directions weakens resolve and dilutes efforts.

We want our kids to be little versions of God! Good in everything … science, maths, drawing, writing, drama. debating etc and the list goes on. While it is good to promote a rounded personality, over-diffused efforts will ruin progress towards the key goal.

Even students can’t make up their mind, most of the times. One day, they want a bike. The very next day an Xbox instead . One day, they want to do architecture, then next day computer science instead.

Bhagavad Gita quotes in Chapter 2, Verse 41

Vyavasaayaatmikaa buddhir ekeha kurunandana;

Bahushaakhaa hyanantaashcha buddhayo’vyavasaayinaam.

• Translation : O joy of the Kurus, consider a single one-pointed determination. It’s the ones with weak resolves who have multi-branched endless thoughts.

• Meaning: Students ought to do a thorough research in the direction they want to pursue. Once decided, they should remain steadfast on that goal. Changing one’s mind and goal again and again, would leave a chain of wasted, half-baked efforts and no results. Not to mention ending up in a career that is not a natural personal choice

2. Always refrain from being overwhelmed. Students to develop Equanimity whether they win or lose.

Many promising talented students lose steam along the way to high school. Conversely, many average performers steadily pick up pace and start cracking those really big exams that impact the career.

How these students reacted to persistent obstacles, distractions, failures and successes makes all the difference in how they move ahead.

Bhagavad Gita in Chapter 2, Verse 38 quotes

Sukhaduhkhe same kritwaa laabhaalaabhau jayaajayau;

Tato yuddhaaya yujyaswa naivam paapamavaapsyasi.

• Translation: Treat pleasure as well as pain, gain as well as loss, victory as well as defeat the same. Keep at it (the battle) because you have to.

• Meaning: No matter how heady the victory or how painful the failure, strive to maintain equanimity. Therefore, Students must reignite their motivation at every fall while tempering down their arrogance at every rise. Staying firmly grounded and keeping on persevering is the best formula for success.

Again in Chapter 2, verse 48, Bhagavad Gita quotes

Yogasthah kuru karmaani sangam tyaktwaa dhananjaya;

Siddhyasiddhyoh samo bhootwaa samatwam yoga uchyate.

• Translation: Perform the action , O Arjuna. Be steady in Yoga. Give up attachments and stay balanced in both success and failure. Yoga is nothing by Evenness of Mind.

• Meaning: Students must learn to cultivate ‘Even-ness of Mind’ because it equals wisdom. Actions done with such Equanimity is the Yoga of wisdom.

3. For steady motivation, Students must maintain an austere lifestyle.

Many students make lofty goals when they set out to make a study plan.

But when it is the time to act, they inadvertently slip back to habitual pleasure seeking. And in the midst of multiple TV, games, social media, and chat breaks, the day is lost!

Bhagavad Gita in Chapter 2, verse 44 quotes

Bhogaishwarya prasaktaanaam tayaapahritachetasaam;

Vyavasaayaatmikaa buddhih samaadhau na vidheeyate.

• Translation: The minds trained to constantly seek pleasure and power, in them, the faculty that can help manifest goals (Samadhi for Yogis/ Studying for Students) cannot work.

• Meaning: Even for a genius of a student, consistent pleasure seeking becomes a handicap towards the academic achievement.  Additionally, a mind trained to constantly seek pleasure, will be ill at ease in a ‘study’ environment. Hence will give the student a sub-optimal return on time invested.

4. Obsession with the outcome can turn Student motivation into Student anxiety

If we look back, it will occur to us that the best of achievements happened when we were positive, upbeat but never anxious.

Many students persevere with their heart, sweat and tears and yet live with anxiety about the fruit of their efforts.

Will I come first? I can’t lose to that guy! What if I forget everything when I am writing the paper? What if I panic?

And Boom! Their worst fears come true!

Either they run high fever right on the day of their exam! Or they forget everything the moment they see the question paper!

Bhagavad Gita in Chapter 2, verse 47 quotes, (one of its most famous verses)

Karmanye vaadhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana;

Maa karmaphalahetur bhoor maa te sango’stwakarmani.

• Translation : You only have the right to do the work, but not on its fruits. Don’t make the fruits, a motive to your actions. Do not get comfortable with (attached to) inaction.

• Meaning: Work or actions done with a constant expectation of rewards create bondages of anxiety, restlessness, greed, dissatisfaction etc. Whereas, something done without focussing on the rewards puts one in a positive frame. We move closer to goodness and closer to God.

Another Bhagavad Gita verse from Chapter 3, verse 19 quotes the same emotion.

Tasmaad asaktah satatam kaaryam karma samaachara;

Asakto hyaacharan karma param aapnoti poorushah.

• Translation: Always perform the action that ought to be done. Do so without attachment, for by doing so, Man reaches the Supreme.

• Meaning: Students must pour in their heart and soul into the job on hand, without giving much thought to the outcome. They ought to immerse themselves in doing their best. Because the moment they start expending energy worrying about the outcome, anxiety takes over the intellect leading to inferior performance.

Hence to reach the highest summit, students must focus on unattached devotion to work.

5. Withdrawing from the senses, can help steady and motivate a student towards his goal

Ignoring the senses, is a job that is easier said than done!

Because the reality is that when students start to study, there are just too many stimulating temptations calling out at them.

And most fall into a series on compulsive hungry bouts, sleepy episodes, fights with the siblings, or an irresistible urge to catch up on our social media.

Bhagavad Gita quotes in Chapter 2, verses 58 and 62

Yadaa samharate chaayam kurmo’ngaaneeva sarvashah;

Indriyaaneendriyaarthebhyas tasya prajnaa pratishthitaa.

Translation : When one withdraws his senses from sense-objects, just like a tortoise withdraws its limbs (into his shell) then his wisdom becomes steady.

Again, Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, verse 62 quotes

Indriyaanaam hi charataam yanmano’nuvidheeyate;

Tadasya harati prajnaam vaayur naavam ivaambhasi.

• Translation: The mind that follows the wandering senses, has lost its discrimination (or direction) like a boat (without the sail) that follows the wandering wind on the waters

• Meaning: When temptation knocks to disrupt your focus, in the form of a phone beep or an urge to raid the kitchen, postpone your instinct to act on it.

6. Students should abstain from inaction, axe indecisiveness and dive right into the work.

Many a times, students get into the famous paralysis of analysis mode. Too much of weighing on the pros and cons of a particular activity.

Or there is so much on the plate to do that the poor student simply freezes! Journal work, Assignment submission, Tuition tests!

At times students bypass many good opportunities to learn simply because they cannot decide which one to take.

Conversely some students, high on a winning-spree, decide they know it all and simply rest of their laurels…

Bhagavad Gita quotes in Chapter 3, verse 8

Niyatam kuru karma twam karma jyaayo hyakarmanah;

Shareerayaatraapi cha te na prasiddhyed akarmanah

• Translation : Always perform the duty that you are responsible for. Action is superior to inaction. Even for basic sustenance of life, action is critical. (hence one cannot use inaction as an excuse)

• Meaning : Students must train themselves to constantly work on whatever they can. Here, time and priority management can help as the syllabus keeps increasing. Even a student who has done well cannot rest on his laurels but keep working to maintain that level.

7. Be moderate, swinging to the extremes can exhaust the student’s reserves of well being and motivation.

Many a times, students hard work can backfire!

Unfortunately, the sleepless nights and endless binging while finishing the syllabus, can come back to bite, right on the exam day.

Acidity, migraine, nausea and sometimes even fever are common complaints that can strike due to a neglected immune system.

Bhagavad Gita on Chapter 6, verse 17 quotes

Yuktaahaaravihaarasya yuktacheshtasya karmasu;

Yuktaswapnaavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkhahaa.

• Translation : Harmony between body and mind (Yoga) can alleviate pain for the ones who are moderate in eating and recreation and for the ones who are moderate in their actions, sleep and wakefulness.

Bhagavad Gita on Chapter 6, verse 16 quotes, again

Naatyashnatastu yogo’sti nachaikaantamanashnatah;

Na chaatiswapnasheelasya jaagrato naiva chaarjuna.

• Translation: There cannot be a harmony of body and mind (Yoga) for the one who eats too much, or the one who does not eat at all, nor for him who sleeps too much or the one who is always awake.

• Meaning: Students must learn the art of maintaining a harmony between the mind and body (Yoga) even during stressed times. A neglected body, will ditch you on the day of the exam by falling ill. And a neglected mind will punish you by performing sub optimally during exams.

Point is, no matter how hard one is working towards a goal, always take time to rest the body and the mind as well as nourish it with good food and good thoughts.

Again, Moderation is of utmost importance in addictive recreational activities like gaming and social media etc. Failing which these activities can become a career-breaking, full-time affair.

8. Students must practise the art of steady concentration: the greatest tool at their disposal

The biggest problem of the current generation of students , is their inability to concentrate over long periods of time.

Quite frankly, how can they be even expected to be able to?

Take a look at the hi-tech immersive games, juicy social media, glitzy movies, uber-cool devices and the million ‘cool fads’ they thrive in!

In comparison, studying stuff from a book does seem outright boring! Mastering the fat syllabus does seem like a dry task, a marked deviation from their fast, high-flying lives.

Bhagavad Gita, in Chapter 6, verse 19 quote

Yathaa deepo nivaatastho nengate sopamaa smritaa;

Yogino yatachittasya yunjato yogamaatmanah.

• Translation:  Like a lamp does not flicker in a spot where there is no wind, similarly the concentration of a controlled mind (a meditating Yogi) is unwavering

Again, Chapter 6, verse 26, reiterates this message.

Yato yato nishcharati manashchanchalamasthiram;

Tatastato niyamyaitad aatmanyeva vasham nayet.

Translation : Whatever causes the restless, unsteady mind to wander away, he must restrain it and bring it back in control from within (the self)

Meaning: It is in the nature of the mind to flit from one object to another. More so for students of current times, given the number of distractions present.

Hence, the singularly most difficult job of the student is to control his turbulent, obstinate and wavering mind. But a superbly managed, concentrated mind is worth the effort as it reaps huge rewards, in the long run.

Try amping up mindful efforts like Yoga, Meditation and Reading (inspiring) books while cutting down on toxic activities gaming, social media.

9. Students must make an effort to predominantly stay in the Sattvic zone

The oscillating changes in student’s behaviour is sometimes intriguing to the parents.

There are days when they can’t stop jumping from activity to activity. Emotion runs high and so does the temper. Impatience and restlessness dominate their mood.

Then suddenly the overactive zeal vanishes and the kid seems to resign himself to the couch for good! All he does is eat sleep, play games, watch movies and then some more. And he seems to display zero regard for people around him.

Shortly again, he’s back to being good!… Eating right sleeping right, studying right, behaving right!

Actually, the student is simply going through the inescapable cycle of the 3 Gunas, Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic, that all humans experience. Sometimes Sattvic tendencies dominate sometimes Rajasic and other times Tamasic.

Sattvic is the highest quality bringing with it happiness, wisdom and illumination. Rajas creates hyperactivity, attachment, greed, passion, sorrow and suffering. Tamas, the worst creates darkness, lethargy and delusion. Read all about Sattva, Rajas and Tamas

Bhagavad Gita in Chapter 14, verse 16 quotes

Karmanah sukritasyaahuh saattwikam nirmalam phalam;

Rajasastu phalam duhkham ajnaanam tamasah phalam.

Translation: The fruit of Sattvic- good action is pure, the fruit of Rajas is pain, and the fruit of Tamas is ignorance.

Meaning: Students must nurture, cultivate and reinforce Sattvic qualities by being constantly mindful of themselves. Also, Rajasic behavior should be channelized by diverting its energies to creative endevours. And Tamasic behavior ought to be shunned.

10. Students must keep away from these 3 Self destructive gates of all- consuming vices.

Bhagavad Gita in Chapter 16, verse 21 quotes

Trividham narakasyedam dwaaram naashanamaatmanah;

Kaamah krodhastathaa lobhas tasmaadetat trayam tyajet.

• Translation: There are three gates to hell, that can destroy (Self) – Lust, Anger and Greed. Hence abandon these three.

• Meaning: Today’s students are bombarded with external stimuli, ranging from explicit sex, mindless violence and criminal depravity.

While its hard to shield them fully from such negative influences, parents can make a concerted effort with the students’ cooperation.

Try this, by helping students comprehend the damage that these three vices can wreck upon their mental health and life aspirations.

In Chapter 2, through verses 62 and 63, Bhagavad Gita quotes in detail how these vices go hand-in-hand and work at destroying their host.

Dhyaayato vishayaan pumsah sangas teshupajaayate;

Sangaat sanjaayate kaamah kaamaat krodho’bhijaayate.

• Translation: When a person’s mind dwells on thought- objects (eg. lust, greed etc), he gets attached to them, his desire gets fanned eventually leading to the rise in anger.

Krodhaad bhavati sammohah sammohaat smriti vibhramah;

Smritibhramshaad buddhinaasho buddhinaashaat pranashyati.

• Translation: He moves from anger to delusion; from delusion to the loss of memory; from loss of memory to the destruction of discrimination; and from there he perishes (qualitatively).

11. Students must try to cultivate these Sattvic virtues, for greater success and happiness in the long run

Bhagavad Gita insists on cultivating these long-term attributes to become a fine and spiritually strong person:

In Chapter 16, Verses 1, 2 and 3, the Gita quotes the specific qualities of Dharma:

Abhayam sattwasamshuddhih jnaanayogavyavasthitih;

Daanam damashcha yajnashcha swaadhyaayastapa aarjavam.

• Translation: Courage, purity of heart, concentrated on knowledge (&Yoga), charity, sense-control, sacrifice (rituals/yajnas), scriptural study, austerity and straightforwardness.

Ahimsaa satyamakrodhas tyaagah shaantirapaishunam;

Dayaa bhooteshvaloluptwam maardavam hreerachaapalam.

• Translation : Non- violence, truth, free from anger, detachment, peacefulness, free from guile, compassion, free from greed, gentleness, modesty, free from fickleness.

Read all about Sanatan Dharma, the universal creed and virtues that go with it.

Tejah kshamaa dhritih shauchamadroho naatimaanitaa;

 Bhavanti sampadam daiveem abhijaatasya bhaarata.

• Translation : Vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, free from hate, free from pride—these are the divine qualities.

And in Chapter 16, verse 4 , Bhagavad Gita quotes the vices to be shunned:

Dambho darpo’bhimaanashcha krodhah paarushyameva cha;

Ajnaanam chaabhijaatasya paartha sampadamaasureem.

• Translation : Hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, harshness, anger and ignorance, belong to the ones in a lower state of consciousness!

12. The Universe is in a constant state of flux: Nothing is permanent, not success not failure.

To the ones who have recently sunk into despair at not having cleared their exams or having done badly, here’s some advice from the Gita. As per the holy book, this world with its names and forms is constantly changing. Everything here, is subject to death and decay except for the Divine soul inside us. Only the Self (Atman/ Soul) exists eternally and that is the unchanging reality.

So, basically, what is yours today will be someone else’s tomorrow and vice versa. You can be just as successful or not like anyone else today! Hence, be stoic, but dont use that as an excuse for inaction. Keep striving .

Stoicism of this sort can help students look at things objectively and stop taking failures personally to their heart. This perspective can also promote an attitude of trying over and over again instead of sulking in dispirited inaction.

The Bhagavad Gita quotes in Chapter 2, verse 14

Maatraasparshaastu kaunteya sheetoshnasukhaduhkhadaah;

Aagamaapaayino’nityaas taamstitikshaswa bhaarata.

• Translation: Everything is impermanent, with a (definite) beginning and an end… even the pleasure, pain, heat, cold that we feel due to sensory contacts. So, endure them bravely, Arjuna!

13. The Mind can be your best friend or foe, it can elevate you to great heights or let you languish in ruins.

We have heard a great deal on how our mind can shape our life. We become what we think.

Gautam Buddha said that, the victory over Self is greater than a victory over a million men in battle. The Bhagawad Gita and all the other great scriptures and great men of the world agree on this. Read all about increasing willpower here.

In the Chapter 6, verse 5, The Bhagavad Gita quotes:

Uddharedaatmanaatmaanam naatmaanamavasaadayet;

 Atmaiva hyaatmano bandhuraatmaiva ripuraatmanah.

• Translation: A man can elevate himself by his own mind (Self) alone. He should guard against degrading himself… for this mind can be his friend or his enemy.

Bandhuraatmaa’tmanastasya yenaatmaivaatmanaa jitah;

Anaatmanastu shatrutwe vartetaatmaiva shatruvat

• Translation : For the one who has conquered his mind (Self), it is a friend, but for the one who has not managed to conquer it, the mind will remain a foe.

14. Be Fearless, develop courage to keep your motivation going

Fear is a very real thing, especially in the student world. Beneath that cool exterior lie a million doubts and fears.

Should I take up that course? Should I not? Will I make it? Will I not?

In Chapter 2, verse 40, the Bhagavad Gita quotes

Nehaabhikramanaasho’sti pratyavaayo na vidyate;

Swalpam apyasya dharmasya traayate mahato bhayaat.

• Translation: Even a little practise of Yoga (body-mind harmony) protects one from great fear, without any side -effects and without waste in efforts.

• Meaning: One can achieve the state of Yoga (mind, body harmony) through 3 ways : Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of devotion), Jnana Yoga (Yoga of knowledge) Karma Yoga (Yoga of selfless action)

In this verse the drift is specifically towards Karma Yoga. Even a little bit of Karma Yoga or selfless service to the world can purify the heart and replace negative emotions like fearfulness with courage. 

So to beat fear, simply help others, make ethical decisions, practice self leadership

For the ones wanting to try Bhakti Yoga or the powerful benefits of Mantra meditation, here’s a complete reckoner.  

Swami Vivekanand has some amazing thoughts on education and also on developing self-confidence while banishing fear.

Gayatri mantra benefits for kids is especially a must read as it shares research on the academic impact of gayatri mantra chanting on school students . On the same note research on the  scientific benefits of Om chanting is also a helpful read

And as for giving kids bite sized complete information on Hinduism try this post

With this, we hit the end of the list.

This was an exhaustive list of points for helping build long range strength and security in students. Taking it one step at a time could be a good idea! Also do run thro Bhagavad Gita quotes on Happiness and Love Bhagavad Gita quotes for initiating students into the correct perspective on happiness and love early on…

Recommended Reference Reading (Disclaimer) : The links to these books are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases Swami Sivananda’s Bhagavad Gita or Swami Chinmayananda’s The Holy Geeta