Find Peace: What the Bhagavad Gita Teaches Us About Peace
The Bhagavad Gita on Peace offers timeless wisdom for finding inner peace. In a famous conversation, Lord Krishna teaches the warrior Arjuna how to find true peace not just from the outside but from deep within. Krishna explains that true peace is a steady mind that is not shaken by the ups and downs of life, such as happiness and sorrow or success and failure. Let’s explore four powerful lessons from this ancient scripture that will help you find that lasting peace.
1. Let go of desires for lasting peace
The Gita teaches that our endless desires are the main reason we feel stressed and unhappy. To find peace, we need to let go of the desire for more and more.
विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः ।
निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥
An important verse says: “The person who gives up all desires, remains free from cravings and is not aware of ‘I’ or ‘mine’ – only he can attain true peace.” (Chapter 2, Verse 71)
This means that when you stop chasing things, peace comes. When you free yourself from excessive desire, possessiveness, and a big ego, you uncover the deep sense of peace you always had
2. Act without worrying about the results
You don’t have to stop doing things to be peaceful. The Gita recommends ‘Karma Yoga’ – doing your duty without attachment to the result.
युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् ।
अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते ॥
Lord Krishna explains: “The person who acts without attachment, offering the result to the Higher Power, attains true peace. But the person who is greedy for the reward of his work gets entangled.” (Chapter 5, Verse 12)
Do your best in any situation because it is the right thing to do. Don’t worry about whether you will succeed or fail. It frees you from anxiety and frustration, taking you directly to a peaceful mind.
3. Seek refuge in surrender
If letting go of desire seems too difficult, the Gita offers another path: devotion and surrender. This means trusting in a higher power and letting go of the need to control everything.
तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत ।
तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ॥
Krishna advises: “Take complete refuge in the Supreme. By this grace you will find ultimate peace and an eternal home.” (Chapter 18, Verse 62)
Surrender is not about giving up. It is about having faith. When you let go of the heavy burden of trying to manage every little detail of your life, you open the door to deep peace and faith.
4. Understand your true self
The Gita also shows us the path to knowledge. It teaches that our true self, the soul (atman), is eternal and separate from our transient body and mind. Understanding this brings immense peace.
नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः ।
उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः ॥
A powerful verse says: “The unreal has no beginning and the real never ends. Those who see the truth understand the nature of both.” (Chapter 2, Verse 16)
When you understand that your true nature cannot be harmed by worldly problems, you stop being disturbed by them. This knowledge helps you to remain calm and centered, no matter what happens in your life. The peace you find is not just a feeling; it is a deep understanding of who you really are.
