spirituality

Bhagavad Gita: Your Compass to Inner Confidence in a Chaotic World

Lessons from this ancient Hindu scripture are still relevant today.

Anangsha Alammyan

Sep 5, 2023 • 6 min read

Lessons from this ancient Hindu scripture are still relevant today.

The warrior prince, Arjuna Pandava stood looking at the horizon that would soon be covered in the blood of his enemies, friends, and family.

He was standing at Kurukshetra, about to start the war that would change the face of the earth. He had misgivings about his judgment. He started questioning every choice that led him here.

That’s when the Lord Krishna started counseling Arjuna on Drarma, and the purpose of one’s life. For 45 minutes, Krishna recited 700 verses, and these were later compiled into the Hindu ancient scripture of infinite wisdom: The Bhagavad Gita.

When I step back and look at life, the Bhagavad Gita kind of stands out as a solid guiding light.

Passed down through the ages, it’s got this core wisdom that can unlock prosperity. Think of each lesson in it like a note in a song, building up to a crescendo to every dream you hold dear. This ancient gem isn’t bound by time — it’s packed with answers to life’s challenges, and a reliable friend through thick and thin.

I remember a time when I wasn’t so sure about where I was headed. I kept wondering if I should quit my stable job and take a leap of faith to pursue something as volatile as writing. Would I be good enough? I kept thinking. Will my passion be strong enough to guide me for life? That’s when the Gita’s verses hit me. They didn’t just offer guidance; they transformed the way I looked at things.

Today, when self-doubt creeps in and things get uncertain, I turn to the Gita for guidance. In this post, I’m sharing the five most powerful lessons in self-confidence from this ancient Hindu scripture. Let its teachings soak into your thoughts and prepare you to embrace whatever tough decision life throws your way.

Focus on the Work, and Avoid Getting Attached to Results

We’re so involved in achieving results that we forget to enjoy the journey. This is the biggest lesson that I learned from Bhagavad Gita. When you shift your mindset from result-oriented to process-oriented, everything starts feeling easy. Then, we can manifest the results we want. Krishna says to avoid attachment with results to turn off the pain that comes when these expectations aren’t met. If you get the desired result, don’t get haughty and learn from the journey.

“You have the right to work, but only for the work’s sake. You have no right to the fruits of your work.”

When you perform your duties and start enjoying the journey, your spirit feels free from anxiety. That’s how you can give your hundred percent to any task.

“The one who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise.”

Practicing detachment can help you understand life in depth and the nature of action and inaction.

“Perform your duty and leave the rest to God.”

Keep doing your work and the divine energy will take care of the rest. You’re never alone on your path, a divine energy is always guiding and protecting you.

Find Your True Self and Purpose in Life

Krishna says that the material world we live in is an illusion. The thoughts that have been put in our minds are not our own.

Those who understand this can find their life’s purpose.

We’re all taught that studying hard and getting a job will sort life out. Society has put a time frame for events, but every soul can’t fit into that illusion. That’s why we shouldn’t try to adhere to rules we don’t feel like. Our duty is to find our true selves and purpose in life. By doing this, we might meet our soul tribe or people who can understand us deeply.

It’s better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty or dharma, though imperfect, than to perform another’s prescribed duty perfectly. Imitating others and following their path might get you wealth but not the happiness you crave. It’s preferable to die following your tough path than to follow an easy path built by others.

“When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place.”

How do you get to know your soul? Take time to look inside and connect with the divine energy inside you. There won’t be room left for self-doubt, fear, and insecurity. The only things that are left will be tranquility and clarity.

Follow Your Path Like a Yogi

When I say practice your life as a yogi doesn’t mean you’ve to go to the Himalayas or live in a hut. Yogi is someone who knows the divine truth that the body is mortal but what delves inside is immortal, that is Atman. They don’t seek approval from others and get affected by their opinions. Yogis follow their duties selflessly, with clarity in mind, and by taking intentional action towards their goals.

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

Reaching that level of consciousness and confidence requires practice. This Bhagavad Gita quote emphasizes the concept of self-discovery through yogic practices and meditation. You can meditate anywhere by controlling your breathing, closing your eyes, and listening to calming music. These simple meditation exercises keep me grounded throughout the day.

“Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachments to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga.”

The key to building confidence is performing your duties without obsessing over the outcome. In this shloka, Krishna asks Arjuna to perform his duty like a Yogi without getting emotional or attached to the outcome.

Learn to Create Your Own Reality

All of us doubt our worth at times. The world’s getting more and more competitive, clouding our hope for the future. I think Krishna is the earliest motivational speaker who told the world about the transformative power of thoughts. Don’t think of yourself as worthless because you’re a unique piece of the universe. Anything you say or do has an impact.

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”

How easily we say self-decreasing words but don’t know these can impact our subconscious. If you repeatedly say you’re not worthy or can’t do anything, the universe will show you signs that you’re not good enough. Practice gratitude, find your purpose, and keep your thoughts positive.

“A person can rise through the efforts of his mind; or draw himself down, in the same manner. Because each person is his friend or enemy.”

We start blaming others if anything doesn’t go as planned. But it’s the demons inside us that sabotage our growth. Trust the divine and make efforts fearlessly towards where you wish to be.

“Change is the law of the universe. You can be a millionaire, or a pauper in an instant.”

Change is constant, so don’t fear it, face it confidently. The universe will always test you before granting any wish. Be confident that whatever’s happening is for your good.

Let Discipline Be Your Biggest Asset

Whenever I feel low on confidence or stuck in life, it’s because I don’t take action. Planning is important but the toughest part is taking action and maintaining discipline to execute it. Bhagavad Gita highlights the importance of discipline through these shlokas.

“The disciplined mind leads to happiness, and the undisciplined mind leads to suffering.”

No matter how smart you are, discipline in your actions is the only way you can achieve whatever you want. I feel more energetic and free as I practice a disciplined life. It can be painful in the beginning to be hard-headed and let routine dictate your life. But it’ll be fruitful in the later years if you can cultivate discipline and self-control.

“One who has control over the mind is tranquil in heat and cold, pleasure and pain, and honor and dishonor.”

The biggest obstacle that doesn’t allow us to become our higher self is being affected by our surroundings. Remind yourself that you own the control of your mind and body. Remain calm in joy and sadness, pleasure and pain.