Bhagavad Gita on confusion and hard decisions
The whole Gita is a response to one undecided man. Arjuna admits he does not know what is right and asks for help. Eighteen chapters later, Krishna does not decide for him: he says reflect on all of it fully, then do as you choose.
Skip to the verse for your situation ↓5 verses from the Gita
- Bhagavad Gita 2.7 · Arjuna
Arjuna admits his confusion and asks to be taught. That is where clarity starts.
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावःपृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसंमूढचेताः । यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्िचतं ब्रूहि तन्मेशिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥
“My nature is overwhelmed by weakness, and my mind is confused about duty. I ask you: tell me with certainty what is best for me. I am your student; instruct me, for I have taken refuge in you.”
कायरतारूपदोषसे तिरस्कृत स्वभाववाला और धर्मके विषयमें मोहित अन्तःकरणवाला मैं आपसे पूछता हूँ कि जो निश्चित कल्याण करनेवाली हो, वह मेरे लिये कहिये । मैं आपका शिष्य हूँ । आपके शरण हुए मुझे शिक्षा दीजिये ॥
It is a relief to admit confusion and ask for guidance instead of pretending to know.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 2.41 · Krishna
A resolute mind is one-pointed. The irresolute one branches endlessly.
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन । बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम् ॥
“O son of the Kurus, the resolute intellect is one-pointed here. The intellect of the irresolute is many-branched and endless.”
हे कुरुनन्दन इस समबुद्धिकी प्राप्तिके विषयमें व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धि एक ही होती है । अव्यवसायी मनुष्योंकी बुद्धियाँ अनन्त और बहुशाखाओंवाली ही होती हैं ॥
Clarity feels lighter than indecision. One firm choice calms the whole mind.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 18.30 · Krishna
Clear understanding knows what to do and what not to, what to fear and what not to.
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये । बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥
“O Partha, the intellect that knows what leads forward and what withdraws, what should be done and not done, what is fear and fearlessness, what binds and what frees, is sattvic.”
हे पृथानन्दन जो बुद्धि प्रवृत्ति और निवृत्तिको, कर्तव्य और अकर्तव्यको, भय और अभयको तथा बन्धन और मोक्षको जानती है, वह बुद्धि सात्त्विकी है ॥
You do not need more noise; you need better seeing.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 3.35 · Krishna
Choose your own path, even if it is harder.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् । स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥
“Better is one's own duty, though imperfect, than another's duty well performed. Better death in one's own duty; another's duty is dangerous.”
अच्छी तरह आचरणमें लाये हुए दूसरेके धर्मसे गुणोंकी कमीवाला अपना धर्म श्रेष्ठ है । अपने धर्ममें तो मरना भी कल्याणकारक है और दूसरेका धर्म भयको देनेवाला है ॥
You can stop measuring yourself against others and return to the work that is actually yours.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 18.63 · Krishna
Reflect on this fully, then do as you wish.
इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया । विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥
“Thus I have explained to you the most secret wisdom. Reflect on it fully, and then do as you wish.”
यह गुह्यसे भी गुह्यतर शरणागतिरूप ज्ञान मैंने तुझे कह दिया । अब तू इसपर अच्छी तरहसे विचार करके जैसा चाहता है, वैसा कर ॥
Real freedom includes thinking clearly before choosing.
Meaning and commentary →