10 Powerful Shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita for Self-Belief

The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture, is a timeless guide to life, wisdom, and self-realization. 

Spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, it offers profound insights into self-belief, courage, and inner strength.

In today’s fast-paced world, self-doubt and anxiety often cloud our minds. The Gita’s teachings can help boost confidence, eliminate fear, and instill unshakable faith in oneself. 

1. ”उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। 
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 6.5)

Meaning: ”Elevate yourself through your own mind; do not degrade yourself. The mind can be both a friend and an enemy.”

Lesson: Your thoughts shape your reality. 

If you believe in yourself, your mind becomes your greatest ally. 

If you doubt yourself, it becomes your worst enemy. 

Master your mind, and you master your destiny.

2. ”योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय। 
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥” 
(Bhagavad Gita 2.48)

Meaning: ”Perform your duty without attachment, remaining balanced in success and failure. 

Such equanimity is called yoga.”

Lesson: Self-belief is not about winning every time — it’s about staying steady regardless of outcomes. 

When you detach from results, you work with clarity and confidence.

3. ”श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः। 
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति॥” 
(Bhagavad Gita 4.39)

Meaning: ”A faithful person who is sincere and controls the senses attains knowledge. 

Having gained knowledge, they quickly attain supreme peace.”

Lesson: Faith in yourself leads to wisdom.

When you trust your abilities and stay disciplined, you gain knowledge and inner peace.

4. ”नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः। 
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥” 
(Bhagavad Gita 2.23)

Meaning: ”The soul cannot be cut by weapons, burned by fire, moistened by water, or dried by the wind.”

Lesson: Your true self is indestructible. 

External challenges cannot break you unless you let them. 

Believe in your inner strength.

5. ”कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। 
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥” 
(Bhagavad Gita 2.47)

Meaning: ”You have the right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits of your actions. 

Do not be attached to results, nor avoid your responsibilities.”

Lesson: Focus on effort, not outcomes.

When you do your best without obsessing over success or failure, self-doubt vanishes.

6. ”विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि। 
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 5.18)

Meaning: ”The wise see the same divine essence in a learned scholar, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and even a dog-eater.”

Lesson: True confidence comes from seeing equality in all.

When you recognize your inner divinity, you stop comparing yourself to others and embrace self-worth.

7. ”उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्। 
सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 3.24)

Meaning: ”If I did not perform my duties, all worlds would perish. 

I would be the cause of chaos and the destruction of humanity.”

Lesson: Your actions matter.

When you believe in your purpose, you contribute to the world.

Never underestimate your impact.

8. ”दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः। 
वीतरागभयक्रोधः स्थितधीर्मुनिरुच्यते॥” 
(Bhagavad Gita 2.56)

Meaning: ”One who remains undisturbed in sorrow, free from desire in joy, and is beyond attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.”

Lesson: Emotional stability builds self-belief.

When you stay calm in ups and downs, you develop unshakable confidence.

9. ”यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। 
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 4.7)

Meaning: ”Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, I manifest myself to protect the good and destroy evil.

Lesson: Divine energy supports those who stand for truth. 

When you trust in a higher purpose, you gain courage and conviction.

10. ”मन एव मनुष्याणां कारणं बन्धमोक्षयोः। 
बन्धाय विषयासक्तं मुक्त्यै निर्विषयं स्मृतम्॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 6.5–6)

Meaning: ”The mind is the cause of bondage and liberation. 

Attached to sensory pleasures, it binds; free from attachments, it liberates.”

Lesson: Freedom comes from mastering the mind.

When you believe in your ability to control thoughts you unlock limitless potential.