Bhagavad Gita

Gita Verses on Leadership and Decision Making

नेतृत्व और निर्णय क्षमता

The entire Gita is a masterclass in leadership — Krishna guiding Arjuna from paralysis to decisive, purposeful action. Timeless principles for anyone in a position of responsibility.

  1. स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि।

    swa-dharmam api chāvekṣhya na vikampitum arhasi dharmyāddhi yuddhāch chhreyo ’nyat kṣhatriyasya na vidyate

    Further, having regard to your duty, you should not waver, for there is nothing higher for a Kshatriya than a righteous war.

    अपने स्वधर्म (क्षात्रधर्म) को देखकर भी तुम्हें विकम्पित अर्थात् कर्तव्य-कर्मसे विचलित नहीं होना चाहिये; क्योंकि धर्ममय युद्धसे बढ़कर क्षत्रियके लिये दूसरा कोई कल्याणकारक कर्म नहीं है।

  2. तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व

    tasmāt tvam uttiṣhṭha yaśho labhasva jitvā śhatrūn bhuṅkṣhva rājyaṁ samṛiddham mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sāchin

    Therefore, stand up and obtain fame. Conquer the enemies and enjoy the unparalleled kingdom. Verily, by Me they have already been slain; be thou a mere instrument, O Arjuna.

    इसलिये तुम युद्धके लिये खड़े हो जाओ और यशको प्राप्त करो तथा शत्रुओंको जीतकर धन-धान्यसे सम्पन्न राज्यको भोगो। ये सभी मेरे द्वारा पहलेसे ही मारे हुए हैं। हे सव्यसाचिन् ! तुम निमित्तमात्र बन जाओ।

  3. तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।

    tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samāchara asakto hyācharan karma param āpnoti pūruṣhaḥ

    Therefore, without attachment, always perform the actions that should be done; for by performing actions without attachment, one reaches the Supreme.

    इसलिये तू निरन्तर आसक्तिरहित होकर कर्तव्य-कर्मका भलीभाँति आचरण कर; क्योंकि आसक्तिरहित होकर कर्म करता हुआ मनुष्य परमात्माको प्राप्त हो जाता है।

  4. मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि।अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि॥

    mach-chittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣhyasi atha chet tvam ahankārān na śhroṣhyasi vinaṅkṣhyasi

    Fixing your mind on Me, you shall, by My grace, overcome all obstacles; but if you will not hear Me due to egoism, you shall perish.

    मेरेमें चित्तवाला होकर तू मेरी कृपासे सम्पूर्ण विघ्नोंको तर जायगा और यदि तू अहंकारके कारण मेरी बात नहीं सुनेगा तो तेरा पतन हो जायगा।

  5. कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।

    karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stv akarmaṇi

    You have a right to action alone, never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

    तेरा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, उसके फलों में कभी नहीं। कर्म के फल का हेतु मत बन, और न ही अकर्म में तेरी आसक्ति हो।

✦ Frequently Asked Questions ✦

What does the Bhagavad Gita say about leadership and decision making?

The entire Gita is a masterclass in leadership — Krishna guiding Arjuna from paralysis to decisive, purposeful action. Timeless principles for anyone in a position of responsibility. Key shlokas: 2.31, 11.33, 3.19, 18.58, 2.47.

Which Bhagavad Gita verses are about leadership and decision making?

The Bhagavad Gita addresses leadership and decision making in shlokas 2.31, 11.33, 3.19, 18.58, 2.47. Read each with Sanskrit, transliteration, word-by-word meaning and English & Hindi translation on AskGita.