Motivational Quotes: The Gita says that excessive material desires cause suffering and disturb the mind. Instead of eliminating desires, one should focus on lasting peace and inner happiness; only then will cravings diminish.

Teachings of the Gita

Bhagavad Gita: According to the Gita, material desires are the main cause of suffering. These desires are like a fire, burning more and more the more they are fulfilled. This keeps the mind restless, and the person is never satisfied.

But the Gita does not teach that all desires should be completely eliminated. It teaches that we should shift our focus from temporary pleasures to lasting, divine bliss. When a person is peaceful and content within, their craving for external things automatically diminishes.

Desires overshadow knowledge.

In Chapter Two, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that desire is the greatest enemy, clouding knowledge and leading man astray. The Gita uses the example of the ocean.

Just as the ocean remains calm despite the flow of many rivers, so too a wise person is unperturbed by the coming and going of desires. An important principle of the Gita is selfless action. This means that we should perform our duties wholeheartedly, but without concern for the results.

This frees us from the bondage of pleasure and pain, defeat and victory. The Gita also teaches that desires should be purified rather than suppressed. Transforming material desires into feelings of love and service to God is the true path.

Controlling the mind weakens desires.

To put the wisdom of the Gita into practice, it's first necessary to understand where desires originate. They often enter the mind through thoughts and the senses. When we learn to control the senses and mind, desires begin to weaken.

We should perform our work, family, and responsibilities with complete honesty, but we should not be overly attached to the results. True happiness lies not in external objects, but in inner peace. To achieve this, we should resort to devotion, meditation, and remembrance of God.