Bhagavad Gita on Self Control

105 shlokas with meaning and life application

Bhagavad Gita shlokas on the quality of Self Control 105 verses with meaning and application.

Self-control is the trait of choosing our actions according to our values, even when impulses push the other way. It supports health, relationships, work and peace of mind. Most people have it in some situations and not in others, which suggests it is less a fixed gift than a practice that depends on rest, environment and understanding. The Gita treats it as something that can be trained.

It begins with attention. Gita 2.62 describes how constant thinking about objects of desire creates attachment, then craving and finally anger, so notice what your mind keeps dwelling on and redirect it early. Gita 2.63 says anger clouds judgment, wipes out the lessons of experience and destroys the capacity to think clearly, so pause and cool down before acting in anger. Gita 3.37 calls desire, which becomes anger when thwarted, the chief enemy of wellbeing and wisdom.

The Gita also offers motivation and method. Gita 6.5 and 6.6 say a disciplined mind becomes an ally and an uncontrolled mind an enemy, so train it through regular discipline and wise choices. Gita 6.36 says yoga is hard without self-control but attainable through steady effort, and Gita 5.23 praises enduring the impulses of desire and anger. Gita 16.21 names desire, anger and greed as three gates to the ruin of the self, so identify which most often leads you astray. If a habit feels compulsive, please talk with a doctor or counsellor.

Start with these shlokas

6.46

The Yogi Is Superior to Ascetics, Scholars, and Ritualists

The yogi who unites disciplined living with inner realization surpasses those who rely solely on austerity, intellectual knowledge, or ritualistic action. Therefore, Krishna urges Arjuna to become a yogi.

In your life: Balance knowledge, discipline, and action with genuine inner transformation rather than becoming satisfied with external achievements or practices alone.

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6.26

Bring the Wandering Mind Back Again and Again

The nature of the mind is to wander. Every time it strays toward external objects, it should be gently but firmly brought back to the Self.

In your life: Do not become frustrated by distractions during meditation. Every conscious return of the mind strengthens your attention and inner discipline.

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All 105 shlokas

Where in the Gita

Chapter 212 Chapter 37 Chapter 49 Chapter 511 Chapter 618 Chapter 72 Chapter 83 Chapter 91 Chapter 105 Chapter 123 Chapter 132 Chapter 147 Chapter 153 Chapter 168 Chapter 175 Chapter 189

Related topics

Life areas

Spiritual Life75 Mental Wellbeing74 Personal Growth62 Daily Living61

Modern themes

Self Mastery71 Mindfulness50

Topics

Self Discipline67

Challenges

Lack of Self Control39 Restlessness36 Mental Agitation32

Qualities

Discernment38 Discipline36

Frequently Asked Questions

What does self-control mean for everyday life in the Gita?
It means noticing where your attention and impulses are heading and choosing your response, especially around desire and anger. The Gita treats it as training of the mind through attention, discipline and wise choices, not as harsh suppression.
How does self-control protect clear thinking?
Gita 2.63 says anger clouds judgment and memory and eventually destroys the capacity to think clearly. Pausing before acting in anger keeps your judgment and your memory of what matters intact, which is why a short delay before replying often prevents lasting damage.
Can anyone build self-control?
Gita 6.36 says that one who disciplines the mind and perseveres through the proper means can attain yoga, even though it is hard without self-control. Strengthen self-discipline through consistent effort, starting small, and trust that lasting progress comes gradually.
What habits help me pause between impulse and action?
Gita 5.23 praises enduring the urges of desire and anger, and Gita 2.62 shows how they begin with what the mind dwells on. Notice early triggers, take a slow breath, delay your response a few moments and ask what you will think of the choice tomorrow.
Which of the three gates in Gita 16.21 should I work on first?
Gita 16.21 names desire, anger and greed as gates to the ruin of the self. Identify which one most often leads you astray, and set a concrete habit that resists it, such as a pause before reacting, a limit on spending or a regular check on your motives.

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