Some Memorable Phrases from the Gita

Though each word of Bhagavad Gita is worth remembering, one can select some memorable phrases (or famous quotes) from Gita, so that they can be used for Vedantic purposes. Here are some of them.

1. 2.3 kshudra.n hR^idayadaurbalya.n tyaktvottishhTha para.ntapa : O scorcher of foes, arise, giving up the petty weakness of the heart.
   
   
2. 2.16 naasato vidyate bhaavo naabhaavo vidyate sataH: : Of the unreal there is no being; the real has no nonexistence.
   
   
3. 2.12 natvevaaha.n jaatu naasa.n na tva.n neme janaadhipaaH: : But certainly (it is) not (a fact) that I did not exist at any time; nor you, nor these rulers of men.
   
   
4. 2.20 na hanyate hanyamaane shariire: : It is not killed when the body is killed.
   
   
5. 2.48 karmaNyevaadhikaaraste maa phaleshhu kadaachana:: Your right is for action alone, never for the results.
   
   
6. 2.48 yogasthaH kuru karmaaNi:: By being established in Yoga, O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), undertake actions.
   
   
7. 2.48 samatva.n yoga uchyate:: Equanimity is called Yoga.
   
   
8. 2.50 yogaH karmasu kaushalam.h:: Yoga is skilfulness in action.
   
   
9. 2.66 ashaantasya kutaH sukham.h:: How can there be happiness for one without peace?
   
   
10. 3.8 karma jyaayo hyakarmaNaH:: You perform the obligatory duties, for action is superior to inaction.
    
    
11. 3.30 yudhyasva vigatajvaraH:: Engage in battle by dedicating all actions to Me,
    
    
12. 3.43 jahi shatruM mahaabaaho kaamaruupaM duraasadam.h: O mighty-armed one, vanquish the enemy in the form of desire, which is difficult to subdue.
    
    
13. 4.33 sarva.n karmaakhilaM paartha GYaane parisamaapyate: O son of Prtha, all actions in their totality culminate in Knowledge.
    
    
14. 4.38 na hi GYaanena sadR^ishaM pavitramiha vidyate: Indeed, there is nothing purifying here comparable to Knowledge.
    
    
15. 4.39 shraddhaavaa.Nllabhate GYaanaM: The man who has faith, is diligent and has control over the organs, attains Knowledge.
    
    
16. 4.40 na sukhaM sa.nshayaatmanaH: Neither this world nor the next nor happiness exists for one who has a doubting mind.
    
    
17. 5.28 vigatechchhaabhayakrodho yaH sadaa mukta eva saH: He who is ever is verily free, who is free from desire, fear and anger.
    
    
18. 5.29 GYaatvaa maa.n shaantimR^ichchhati: One attains Peace by knowing Me.
    
    
19. 6.5 uddharedaatmanaatmaanaM: One should save oneself by oneself.
    
    
20. 6.25 aatmasa.nsthaM manaH kR^itvaa na ki.nchidapi chintayet.h: Making the mind fixed in the Self, one should not think of anything whatsoever.
    
    
21. 6.35 abhyaasena tu kaunteya vairaagyeNa cha gR^ihyate: But, O son of Kunti, the mind [which is untractable and restless] is brought under control through practice and detachment.
    
    
22. 6.40 na hi kalyaaNakR^itkashchid.h durgati.n taata gachchhati: For, no one engaged in good meets with a deplorable end, My son!
    
    
23. 7.7 mayi sarvamidaM protaM suutre maNigaNaa iva: O Dhananjaya, there is nothing else whatsoever higher than Myself. All this is strung on Me like pearls on a string.
    
    
24. 7.14 maameva ye prapadyante maayaametaaM taranti te: Those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this Maya.
    
    
25. 7.17 GYaanii tvaatmaiva me matam.h: The man of Knowledge is the very Self.
    
    
26. 7.19 vaasudevaH sarvamiti: Vasudeva is all.
    
    
27. 8.7 tasmaatsarveshhu kaaleshhu maamanusmara yudhya cha: Therefore, think of Me at all times and fight.
    
    
28. 9.22 teshhaa.n nityaabhiyuktaanaa.n yogakshemaM vahaamyaham.h: Who are ever attached (to Me), I arrange for securing what they lack and preserving what they have.
    
    
29. 9.27 tatkurushhva madarpaNam.h: [O son of Kunti, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as a sacrifice, whatever you give and whatever austerities you undertake,] all that you offer to Me.
    
    
30. 9.31 na me bhaktaH praNashyati: My devotee does not get ruined.
    
    
31. 9.33 anityamasukhaM lokamimaM praapya bhajasva maam.h: Having come to this ephemeral and miserable world, do you worship Me.
    
    
32. 12.4 sarvabhuutahite rataaH: By fully controlling all the organs and always being even-minded, they, engaged in the welfare of all beings, attain Me alone.
    
    
33. 12.7 teshhaamahaM samuddhartaa mR^ityusa.nsaarasaagaraat.h: O son of Prtha, for them who have their minds absorbed in Me, I become, without delay, the Deliverer from the sea of the world which is fraught with death.
    
    
34. 12.12 tyaagaachchhaa.ntiranantaram.h: From renunciation, Peace follows immediately.
    
    
35. 12.14 yo madbhaktaH sa me priyaH: Such a devotee of Mine is dear to Me. [He who is ever content, who is a yogi, who has self-control, who has firm conviction, who has dedicated his mind and intellect.]
    
    
36. 13.3 kshetraj~na.n chaapi maa.n viddhi sarvakshetreshhu bhaarata: And, O scion of the Bharata dynasty, under-stand Me to be the 'Knower of the field' in all the fields.
    
    
37. 13.9 janmamR^ityujaraavyaadhiduHkhadoshhaanudarshanam.h: Seeing the evil in birth, death, old age, diseases and miseries;
    
    
38. 18.20 avibhakta.n vibhakteshhu tajGYaanaM viddhi saattvikam.h: Know that knowledge to be originating from sattva through which one sees a single, undecaying, undivided Entity in all the diversified things.
    
    
39. 18.57 machchittaH satataM bhava: Mentally surrendering all actions to Me and accepting Me as the supreme, have your mind ever fixed on Me by resorting to the concentration of your intellect.
    
    
40. 18.65 manmanaa bhava: Have your mind fixed on Me.
    
    
41. 18.66 sarvadharmaanparityajya maamekaM sharaNaM vraja: Abandoning all forms of rites and duties, take refuge in Me alone.
    
    

Here are the complete shlokas, and their meanings as well.

1. 2.3 klaibyaM maa sma gamaH paartha naitattvayyupapadyate
   kshudra.n hR^idayadaurbalya.n tyaktvottishhTha para.ntapa
   
   O Partha, yield not to unmanliness. This does not befit you. O scorcher of foes, arise, giving up the petty weakness of the heart.
   
   
2. 2.16 naasato vidyate bhaavo naabhaavo vidyate sataH
   ubhayorapi dR^ishhTo.antastvanayostattvadarshibhiH:
   
   Of the unreal there is no being; the real has no nonexistence. But the nature of both these, indeed, has been realized by the seers of Truth.
   
   
3. 2.12 natvevaaha.n jaatu naasa.n na tva.n neme janaadhipaaH .
   na chaiva na bhavishhyaamaH sarve vayamataH param.h:
   
   But certainly (it is) not (a fact) that I did not exist at any time; nor you, nor these rulers of men. And surely it is not that we all shall cease to exist after this.
   
   
4. 2.20 na jaayate mriyate vaa kadaachin.h naayaM bhuutvaa bhavitaa vaa na bhuuyaH .
   ajo nityaH shaashvato.ayaM puraaNo na hanyate hanyamaane shariire:
   
   Never is this One born, and never does It die; nor is it that having come to exist, It will again cease to be. This One is birthless, eternal, undecaying, ancient; It is not killed when the body is killed.
   
   
5. 2.47 karmaNyevaadhikaaraste maa phaleshhu kadaachana
   maa karmaphalaheturbhuurmaa te saN^go.astvakarmaNi
   
   Your right is for action alone, never for the results. Do not become the agent of the results of action. May you not have any inclination for inaction.
   
   
6. 2.48 yogasthaH kuru karmaaNi saN^ga.n tyaktvaa dhana.njaya .
   sid.hdhyasid.hdhyoH samo bhuutvaa samatva.n yoga uchyate:
   
   By being established in Yoga, O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), undertake actions, casting off attachment and remaining equipoised in success and failure. Equanimity is called Yoga.
   
   
7. 2.50 buddhiyukto jahaatiiha ubhe sukR^itadushhkR^ite .
   tasmaadyogaaya yujyasva yogaH karmasu kaushalam.h:
   
   Possessed of wisdom, one rejects here both virtue and vice. Therefore devote yourself to (Karma-) yoga. Yoga is skilfulness in action.
   
   
8. 2.66 naasti buddhirayuktasya na chaayuktasya bhaavanaa .
   na chaabhaavayataH shaantirashaantasya kutaH sukham.h
   
   For the unsteady there is no wisdom, and there is no meditation for the unsteady man. And for an unmeditative man there is no peace. How can there be happiness for one without peace?
   
   
9. 3.8 niyata.n kuru karma tvaM karma jyaayo hyakarmaNaH
   shariirayaatraapi cha te na prasid.hdhyedakarmaNaH
   
   You perform the obligatory duties, for action is superior to inaction. And, through inaction, even the maintenance of your body will not be possible.
   
   
10. 3.30 mayi sarvaaNi karmaaNi sa.nnyasyaadhyaatmachetasaa .
    niraashiirnirmamo bhuutvaa yudhyasva vigatajvaraH
    
    Devoid of the fever of the soul, engage in battle by dedicating all actions to Me, with (your) mind intent on the Self, and becoming free from expectations and egoism.
    
    
11. 3.43 evaM buddheH paraM buddhvaa sa.nstabhyaatmaanamaatmanaa .
    jahi shatruM mahaabaaho kaamaruupaM duraasadam.h
    
    Understanding the Self thus as superior to the intellect, and completely establishing (the Self) is spiritual absorption with the (help of) the mind, O mighty-armed one, vanquish the enemy in the form of desire, which is difficult to subdue.
    
    
12. 4.33shreyaandravyamayaadyaGYaajGYaanayaGYaH para.ntapa .
    sarva.n karmaakhilaM paartha GYaane parisamaapyate
    
    O destroyer of enemies, Knowledge considered as a sacrifice is greater than sacrifices requiring materials. O son of Prtha, all actions in their totality culminate in Knowledge.
    
    
13. 4.38 na hi GYaanena sadR^ishaM pavitramiha vidyate .
    tatsvayaM yogasa.nsiddhaH kaalenaatmani vindati
    
    Indeed, there is nothing purifying here comparable to Knowledge. One who has become perfected after a (long) time through yoga, realizes That by himself in his own heart.
    
    
14. 4.39 shraddhaavaa.Nllabhate GYaanaM tatparaH sa.nyatendriyaH .
    GYaanaM labdhvaa paraaM shaantimachireNaadhigachchhati
    
    The man who has faith, is diligent and has control over the organs, attains Knowledge. Achieving Knowledge, one soon attains supreme Peace.
    
    
15. 4.40 aGYashchaashraddadhaanashcha sa.nshayaatmaa vinashyati .
    naayaM loko.asti na paro na sukhaM sa.nshayaatmanaH
    
    One who is ignorant and faithless, and has a doubting mind perishes. Neither this world nor the next nor happiness exists for one who has a doubting mind.
    
    
16. 5.28 yatendriyamanobuddhirmunirmokshaparaayaNaH .
    vigatechchhaabhayakrodho yaH sadaa mukta eva saH
    
    Keeping the external objects outside, the eyes at the juncture of the eye-brows, and making equal the outgoing and incoming breaths that move through the nostrils, the contemplative who has control over his organs, mind and intellect should be fully intent on Liberation and free from desire, fear and anger. He who is ever is verily free.
    
    
17. bhoktaaraM yaGYatapasaa.n sarvalokamaheshvaram.h .
    suhR^idaM sarvabhuutaanaa.n GYaatvaa maa.n shaantimR^ichchhati
    
    One attains Peace by knowing Me who, as the great Lord of all the worlds, am the enjoyer of sacrifices and austerities, (and) who am the friend of all creatures.
    
    
18. 6.5 uddharedaatmanaatmaanaM naatmaanamavasaadayet.h .
    aatmaiva hyaatmano bandhuraatmaiva ripuraatmanaH
    
    One should save oneself by oneself; one should not lower oneself. For oneself is verily one's own friend; oneself is verily one's own enemy.
    
    
19. 6.25 shanaiH shanairuparamed.h bud.hdhyaa dhR^itigR^ihiitayaa .
    aatmasa.nsthaM manaH kR^itvaa na ki.nchidapi chintayet.h
    
    One should gradually withdraw with the intellect endowed with steadiness. Making the mind fixed in the Self, one should not think of anything whatsoever.
    
    
20. 6.35 asa.nshayaM mahaabaaho mano durnigraha.n chalam.h .
    abhyaasena tu kaunteya vairaagyeNa cha gR^ihyate
    
    O mighty-armed one, undoubtedly the mind is untractable and restless. But, O son of Kunti, it is brought under control through practice and detachment.
    
    
21. 6.40 paartha naiveha naamutra vinaashastasya vidyate .
    na hi kalyaaNakR^itkashchid.h durgati.n taata gachchhati
    
    O Partha, there is certainly no ruin for him here or hereafter. For, no one engaged in good meets with a deplorable end, My son!
    
    
22. 7.7 mattaH parataraM naanyatki.nchidasti dhana.njaya .
    mayi sarvamidaM protaM suutre maNigaNaa iva
    
    O Dhananjaya, there is nothing else whatsoever higher than Myself. All this is strung on Me like pearls on a string.
    
    
23. 7.17 daivii hyeshhaa guNamayii mama maayaa duratyayaa .
    maameva ye prapadyante maayaametaaM taranti te
    
    Since this divine Maya of Mine which is constituted by the gunas is difficult to cross over, (therefore) those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this Maya.
    
    
24. 7.18 udaaraaH sarva evaite GYaanii tvaatmaiva me matam.h .
    aasthitaH sa hi yuktaatmaa maamevaanuttamaa.n gatim.h
    
    All of these, indeed, are noble, but the man of Knowledge is the very Self. (This is) My opinion. For, with a steadfast mind, he is set on the path leading to Me alone who am the super-excellent Goal.
    
    
25. 7.19 bahuunaa.n janmanaamante GYaanavaanmaaM prapadyate .
    vaasudevaH sarvamiti sa mahaatmaa sudurlabhaH
    
    At the end of many births the man of Knowledge attains Me, (realizing) that Vasudeva is all. Such a high-souled one is very rare.
    
    
26. 8.7 tasmaatsarveshhu kaaleshhu maamanusmara yudhya cha .
    mayyarpitamanobuddhirmaamevaishhyasyasa.nshayaH
    
    Therefore, think of Me at all times and fight. There is no doubt that by dedicating your mind and intellect to Me, you will attain Me alone.
    
    
27. 9.22 ananyaashchintayanto maa.n ye janaaH paryupaasate .
    teshhaa.n nityaabhiyuktaanaa.n yogakshemaM vahaamyaham.h
    
    Those persons who, becoming non-different from Me and meditative, worship Me everywhere, for them, who are ever attached (to Me), I arrange for securing what they lack and preserving what they have.
    
    
28. 9.27 yatkaroshhi yadashnaasi yajjuhoshhi dadaasi yat.h .
    yattapasyasi kaunteya tatkurushhva madarpaNam.h
    
    O son of Kunti, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as a sacrifice, whatever you give and whatever austerities you undertake, (all) that you offer to Me.
    
    
29. 9.31 kshipraM bhavati dharmaatmaa shashvachchhaanti.n nigachchhati .
    kaunteya pratijaaniihi na me bhaktaH praNashyati
    
    He soon becomes possessed of a virtuous mind; he attains everlasting peace. Do you proclain boldly, O son of Kunti, that My devotee does not get ruined.
    
    
30. 9.33 kiM punarbraahmaNaaH puNyaa bhaktaa raajarshhayastathaa .
    anityamasukhaM lokamimaM praapya bhajasva maam.h
    
    What to speak of the holy Brahmanas as also of devout kind-sages! Having come to this ephemeral and miserable world, do you worship Me.
    
    
31. 12.4 sa.nniyamyendriyagraamaM sarvatra samabuddhayaaH .
    te praapnuvanti maameva sarvabhuutahite rataaH
    
    By fully controlling all the organs and always being even-minded, they, engaged in the welfare of all beings, attain Me alone.
    
    
32. 12.7 teshhaamahaM samuddhartaa mR^ityusa.nsaarasaagaraat.h .
    bhavaami na chiraatpaartha mayyaaveshitachetasaam.h
    
    O son of Prtha, for them who have their minds absorbed in Me, I become, without delay, the Deliverer from the sea of the world which is fraught with death.
    
    
33. 12.12 shreyo hi GYaanamabhyaasaajGYaanaad.hdhyaanaM vishishhyate .
    dhyaanaatkarmaphalatyaagastyaagaachchhaa.ntiranantaram.h
    
    Knowledge is surely superior to practice; meditation surpasses knowledge. The renunciation of the results of works (excels) meditation. From renunciation, Peace follows immediately.
    
    
34. 12.14 sa.ntushhTaH satataM yogii yataatmaa dR^iDhanishchayaH .
    mayyarpitamanobuddhiryo madbhaktaH sa me priyaH
    
    He who is ever content, who is a yogi, who has self-control, who has firm conviction, who has dedicated his mind and intellect to Me-he who is such a devotee of Mine is dear to Me.
    
    
35. 13.3 kshetraj~na.n chaapi maa.n viddhi sarvakshetreshhu bhaarata .
    kshetrakshetrayorj~naana.n yattajj~naanaM mataM mama
    
    And, O scion of the Bharata dynasty, under-stand Me to be the 'Knower of the field' in all the fields. In My opinion, that is Knowledge which is the knowlege of th field and the knower of the field.
    
    
36. 13.9 indriyaartheshhu vairaagyamanaha.nkaara eva cha .
    janmamR^ityujaraavyaadhiduHkhadoshhaanudarshanam.h
    
    Non-attachment with regard to objects of the senses, and also absence of egotism; seeing the evil in birth, death, old age, diseases and miseries;
    
    
37. 18.20 sarvabhuuteshhu yenaikaM bhaavamavyayamiikshate .
    avibhakta.n vibhakteshhu tajGYaanaM viddhi saattvikam.h
    
    Know that knowledge to be originating from sattva through which one sees a single, undecaying, undivided Entity in all the diversified things.
    
    
38. 18.57 chetasaa sarvakarmaaNi mayi sa.nnyasya matparaH .
    buddhiyogamupaashritya machchittaH satataM bhava
    
    Mentally surrendering all actions to Me and accepting Me as the supreme, have your mind ever fixed on Me by resorting to the concentration of your intellect.
    
    
39. 18.65 manmanaa bhava madbhakto madyaajii maa.n namaskuru .
    maamevaishhyasi satya.n te pratijaane priyo.asi me
    
    Have your mind fixed on Me, be My devotee, be a sacrificer to Me and bow down to Me. (Thus) you will come to Me alone. (This) truth do I pormise to you. (For) you are dear to Me.
    
    
40. 18.66 sarvadharmaanparityajya maamekaM sharaNaM vraja .
    ahaM tvaaM sarvapaapebhyo mokshyayishhyaami maa shuchaH
    
    Abandoning all forms of rites and duties, take refuge in Me alone. I sahll free you from all sins. (Therefore) do not grieve.
    
    

These lines are taken from an introductory section of Swami Sri Vidyaprakasananda Giri's "Gita Makarandam", a very well known translation of Gita in Telugu speaking people. The book is available online at Telugu Bhakti Pages.

Postscript: I run a mailing list, with the above quotes as source. The sidebar has more information.