FAQ | Shri Krishna.us

Frequently Asked Questions: Shri Krishna’s Messages & Wisdom from the Gita

Let us explore timeless questions about life’s challenges through the profound wisdom of Shri Krishna as revealed in the Bhagavad Gita. These teachings offer solace, guidance, and a path to inner peace, even in the darkest times.

On Duty, Action, and Purpose (Karma Yoga)

Q: I feel overwhelmed by my responsibilities and the pressure to succeed. How can I cope?
- A: Shri Krishna teaches Karma Yoga: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.” Focus on performing your duties with diligence and skill, detaching from the outcome. This frees you from anxiety and the burden of expectation.
Q: What is my true purpose in life? Because I often feel lost and uncertain.
- A: Your Svadharma, or inherent duty, is unique to you. The Gita encourages you to understand your nature and perform your duties with sincerity. “It is better to engage in one’s own occupation or duties, even with faults, than to do another person’s occupation/duties and perform it perfectly.” Your life purpose unfolds as you act righteously and selflessly.
Q: How can I overcome procrastination and find motivation for my tasks?
- A: Understand that action is inevitable. “Indeed, no one can remain inactive even for a moment; everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material nature.” Find motivation by focusing on the act itself as an offering, rather than solely on the reward.
Q: I’ve worked hard, but all my efforts have failed or aren’t being recognized. How do I deal with this disappointment?
- A: Shri Krishna advises: “Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity of mind is called yoga.” True fulfillment comes from the sincerity of your effort, not external validation.
Q: Is it okay to pursue material goals and desires, or should I renounce everything?
- A: In the Gita, Shri Krishna doesn’t advocate renunciation of action, but renunciation in action. You can pursue goals, but cultivate detachment from the results, gains, and enjoyments. “One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water.”
Q: How can I find balance between my personal life and my professional responsibilities?
- A: Apply the principle of Karma Yoga to both. Dedicate yourself fully to each role when you are in it, and then release attachment to the outcomes. Understanding that all actions are ultimately part of a larger divine play helps maintain perspective.
Q: I’m facing a difficult choice between two paths in life. How can the Gita help me decide?
- A: Reflect on your Dharma (righteous duty). Which path aligns more with your intrinsic nature, your values, and contributes positively without attachment to personal gain? Seek inner clarity by quieting the mind through meditation and devotion. Choose the path which is aligned with dharma, and do not choose the path which involves adharma. Choose the path in which you can work or live without sacrificing the path of dharma. Also remember that the path of dharma is usually simple to choose but more difficult to follow because it will need you to fight against human flaws like greed and ego and purify and improve yourself step by step.
Q: What if my duty feels unpleasant or unfulfilling?
- A: Even an imperfectly performed duty (svadharma) is better than a perfectly performed alien duty (paradharma). “It is better to die in the discharge of one’s own duty than to follow the path of another. To follow another’s path is dangerous.” Focus on how you perform it – with dedication and selfless intention – rather than only what it is. If your duty feels unpleasant because of other people abusing or harming you while you perform your duties, then you must stand up against such actors of adharma. Shri Krishna is on your side. You will win.
Q: How can I avoid burnout when I’m constantly striving for excellence?
- A: The Gita emphasizes working with skill in action. This implies efficiency, proficiency, and wisdom, not endless toil. Strive to improve your skill. Most people equate excellence with results but Shri Krishna’s message in the Gita is to aim for the excellence in work process, and leave the results to the divine plan, which is not in your control. Also, cultivating detachment from results reduces mental strain. “Yoga is equanimity.” (Yogastha kuru karmani). Remember this: When you promise results to anyone, you’re promising something which is beyond your control, and that is the starting point of stress and adharma. You can not promise results because you have no control over the results. The sooner we learn this important point, the better our life will become, and we can focus on the truly important aspects of life, including devotion and service to humanity.
Q: Does my work truly matter in the grand scheme of things?
- A: Every action, performed with sincerity and selfless intent, contributes to the cosmic order or divine plan. Shri Krishna said, “No sincere effort is ever wasted”. Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme. Your actions, when offered divinely, have eternal significance.

On Equanimity, Steadfastness, and Peace

Q: How can I remain calm when everything around me feels chaotic?
- A: Cultivate equanimity. “One who is not disturbed in mind even amidst the three miseries or elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.” Recognize the temporary nature of external circumstances.
Q: I constantly worry about the future. How can I stop this cycle of anxiety?
- A: Focus on the present moment and your duty in it. Worry arises from attachment to future outcomes. Krishna assures, “The yogi, who is self-controlled, always fixed in Me, steadily dwelling in Me, attains the supreme peace, the highest happiness.”
Q: How do I handle criticism and praise without letting them affect my emotional state?
- A: A Sthita-prajna (person of steady wisdom) treats both criticism and praise equally. Understand that these are external reactions. Your inner worth remains unchanged. “One who is equal to friends and enemies, honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, is dear to Me.”
Q: I feel overwhelmed by grief after a loss. How can the Gita help me find solace?
- A: Krishna’s primary teaching to Arjuna was about the immortality of the soul. “For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.” Grieve, but remember the eternal nature of the beloved soul.
Q: How can I control my senses and desires, which often lead me astray?
- A: The senses are powerful, but the mind is more powerful, and the intellect even more so. “One who has controlled his senses, and whose mind is steady, is truly wise.” Practice self-control and direct your mind towards higher pursuits.
Q: I struggle with anger and irritability. What is Shri Krishna’s advice for me?
- A: “From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion, bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool.” Recognize anger as a destructive force and practice patience and introspection. Anger is the starting point of a very slippery slope and it can cause harm to you and the people you care for. The source of anger is often ego, and limited understanding of the world and divine plan in which each person is like a leaf or tiny sand particle. Imagine being a leaf and getting angry — you have no basis for anger — because you may not be here tomorrow. Understand the limited nature of your mortal life and the large divine plan, and understand that you can not control any results of outcomes.
Q: How can I maintain inner peace when facing injustice or unfair situations?
- A: While acting against injustice is important (your Dharma), maintain inner peace by understanding that justice operates on many levels. Focus on your righteous response rather than consuming yourself with resentment. Trust in the divine law of Karma. Maintain inner peace for your good health, but you do not have to bow down to injustice. Never fear injustice or those of cause injustice. Shri Krishna will take them down. Adharma will be defeated, always.
Q: I often feel lonely even when surrounded by people. How can I feel more connected?
- A: Recognize the divine presence within all beings. Krishna states, “I am the Self seated in the hearts of all creatures.” When you see this common divine essence, true connection arises, transcending superficial interactions.
Q: How can I be truly happy regardless of my external circumstances?
- A: True happiness (Atmananda) comes from within, from realizing your true Self, not from fleeting external pleasures. “That which in the beginning may be just like poison but at the end is like nectar and which awakens one to self-realization is said to be happiness in the mode of goodness.”
Q: What is the secret to mental resilience during prolonged difficulties?
- A: Develop an unwavering faith in the divine order and your own eternal nature. Cultivate perseverance in your spiritual practices and duties, knowing that challenges are opportunities for growth. “Never despair; have faith in Me.”

On Self-Realization and the Nature of the Soul

Q: Who am I, really? I often feel confused about my identity.
- A: Krishna reveals your true identity: You are not this temporary body, but the eternal, unchanging Atman (soul). “Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.”
Q: What is the relationship between the individual soul and God?
- A: The individual soul (Jivatma) is a tiny, eternal spark of the Supreme (Paramatma). You are part of Me, yet distinct. “The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts.”
Q: How can I experience the divine presence within myself?
- A: Through disciplined practice, meditation, and introspection, turn your focus inward. Quiet the mind and senses, and you will gradually perceive the indwelling Self. “The yogi, whose mind is fixed on Me, attains the supreme bliss of liberation.”
Q: Why do I experience so much suffering if I am divine?
- A: Suffering arises from ignorance of your true nature and attachment to the material world (Maya). When you identify with the perishable body and its desires, you experience pain. Realizing the Self liberates you from this illusion.
Q: What happens after death? Is there life beyond this body?
- A: The soul simply changes bodies, like changing clothes. “As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.” Death is merely a transition.
Q: How can I overcome the fear of death?
- A: By understanding the eternality of the soul. When you know that you are not the body but the immortal spirit, the fear of the body’s end diminishes. “For one who has taken his birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.”
Q: Is there a way to break the cycle of birth and death (Samsara)?
- A: Yes, through self-realization and Bhakti (devotion) to Krishna. When you attain liberation (Moksha), you transcend the material modes and return to your eternal spiritual abode.
Q: What is the significance of the “inner self” in the Gita?
- A: The inner self is the true you, the eternal soul, a fragment of the Divine. It is the witness, the experiencer, and the source of pure consciousness, residing within your heart. Recognizing it leads to freedom from illusion.
Q: How can I distinguish between my ego and my true Self?
- A: The ego is the false sense of “I” associated with the body, mind, and material possessions. The true Self is the unchanging, pure consciousness that observes all. Through self-inquiry and meditation, you can discern the difference.
Q: What does it mean to “know God” according to the Gita?
- A: To know God is to know your own true Self, to perceive Krishna as the Supreme Reality pervading all existence, and to experience a deep, loving connection with the divine. It’s a realization of unity.

On Devotion and Surrender (Bhakti Yoga)

Q: How can I develop genuine devotion (Bhakti) to Shri Krishna?
- A: Focus your mind on Him, offer your actions to Him, worship Him, and bow down to Him. “Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.”
Q: I sometimes feel disconnected from God. How can I rekindle my faith?
- A: Faith is nurtured through consistent effort. Engage in devotional practices like chanting, meditation, reading scriptures, and performing selfless service. Even a little practice can reconnect you. “Even a little advancement on this path protects one from the greatest type of fear.”
Q: What is the ultimate benefit of surrendering to Shri Krishna?
- A: Complete surrender (Sharanaagati) guarantees liberation from all sinful reactions and eternal peace. “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
Q: Does surrender mean giving up my free will or becoming passive?
- A: No, surrender is an act of intelligent will. It means aligning your will with the divine will, not becoming passive. It frees you to act with greater clarity and courage, knowing you are guided and supported.
Q: How can I offer my actions to Krishna in my daily life?
- A: Perform all your duties as if they are service to Him, without expectation of personal reward. Before starting, dedicate the action, and after completion, offer the results. “Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform—do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.”
Q: What if I have doubts about the existence of God or the teachings of the Gita?
- A: Krishna addresses doubt directly: “But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness; they fall down. For the doubting soul there is neither happiness in this world nor in the next.” Seek knowledge, engage in sincere inquiry, and practice to resolve doubts.
Q: How does devotion lead to peace of mind?
- A: When you surrender to Krishna, you relinquish the burden of controlling outcomes. This trust brings immense peace. You realize you are not alone; a higher power is guiding you.
Q: Is chanting or meditation necessary for devotion?
- A: While not the only forms, they are powerful tools. They help to fix the mind on the Divine, purify the consciousness, and deepen your connection. “Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa].”
Q: Can I still be a devotee even if I sometimes falter or make mistakes?
- A: Absolutely. Krishna is infinitely compassionate. “Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.” Sincerity of intent and continuous effort are key.
Q: How can I love Krishna when I cannot physically see Him?
- A: Love for Krishna is a spiritual love that transcends physical form. See Him in His creation, in the hearts of others, and feel His presence through devotion, prayer, and the wisdom of the scriptures. He is within and without.

On Overcoming Negative Emotions and Ignorance