7 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on contentment. Explore teachings across 5 chapters.
Apuryamanam acala-pratistham samudram apah pravishanti yadvat, tadvat kama yam pravishanti sarve sa shantim apnoti na kama-kami
A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean which is being filled but is always being still—can alone achieve peace, and not the person who strives to satisfy such desires.
Tyaktva karma-phalasangam nitya-tripto nirasrayah, karmany abhipravrittoapi naiva kimcit karoti sah
Having abandoned all attachment to the fruits of action, always content and without any dependence, such a person, even while engaged in action, does not do anything at all.
Yadriccha-labha-santushtho dvandvatito vimatsarah, samah siddhav asiddhau ca kritvapi na nibadhyate
Content with whatever comes of its own accord, free from duality, without envy, equal in success and failure — even while acting, such a person is not bound.
Jnana-vijnana-tripta-atma kutastho vijitendriyah, yukta ity ucyate yogi sama-loshta-ashma-kancanah
The yogi who is satisfied with knowledge and realization, who is steady and has conquered the senses, and who regards a clod of earth, a stone, and gold as equal — such a person is said to be in yoga. True contentment comes from Self-knowledge, making external objects utterly equal in worth.
Ahimsa samata tushtis tapo danam yasho 'yashaha, bhavanti bhava bhutanam matta eva prithag-vidhah
Non-violence, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame, and infamy — all the various states of beings arise from Me alone. The catalogue of divine vibhutis continues, encompassing both celebrated and inglorious conditions, all arising from the one infinite source.
Santushṭaḥ satataṁ yogī yatātmā dṛiḍha-niśhchayaḥ, mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
Ever content, steadfast in meditation, self-controlled, and of firm resolve, with mind and intellect offered to Me—such devotees are very dear to Me.
Tulya-nindā-stutir maunī santuṣhṭo yena kenachit, aniketaḥ sthira-matir bhaktimān me priyo naraḥ
One who is equal in blame and praise, who is silent and content with anything, who has no fixed abode, who is steady in mind, and who is full of devotion — such a person is dear to Me.