Gita Jayanti Mantras — Bhagavad Gita Shlokas to Chant
Gita Jayanti (गीता जयंती) marks the day Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra — the Shukla Ekadashi of Margashirsha (Mokshada Ekadashi). On this day devotees read the Gita and chant its most famous shlokas. Here are the key verses and Krishna prayers to recite on Gita Jayanti.
Karmanye Vadhikaraste (2.47) — The Karma Yoga Verse
The Gita's most quoted shloka — "You have a right to action alone, never to its fruits." The essence of selfless action, perfect to chant and contemplate on Gita Jayanti.
Karmanye Vadhikaraste (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya (4.7–8) — Krishna's Promise
Krishna's timeless promise to incarnate in every age to restore dharma. A central declaration of the Gita.
Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya (Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8)
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
Sarva Dharman Parityajya (18.66) — The Final Teaching
The charama shloka — "Abandon all duties and surrender unto Me alone; I shall free you from all sins." The Gita's ultimate message of surrender.
Sarva Dharman Parityajya (Bhagavad Gita 18.66)
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।
Nainam Chindanti Shastrani (2.23) — The Eternal Soul
The verse on the indestructible soul — "Weapons cannot cut it, fire cannot burn it." Recited to understand the immortality of the Atman.
Nainam Chindanti Shastrani (Bhagavad Gita 2.23)
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः ।
Vasansi Jirnani (2.22) — Death as Changing Garments
The famous simile comparing death to changing worn-out clothes — the soul simply takes a new body. A consoling, profound Gita Jayanti verse.
Vasansi Jirnani (Bhagavad Gita 2.22)
वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि ।
Krishna Mantras for Gita Jayanti
Honour the speaker of the Gita with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and the bhajan Achyutam Keshavam. Reading the complete Bhagavad Gita (all 18 chapters) on this day is the highest observance.