Bhagwad Gita's five shlokas that every Hindu must understand!

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

(Chapter - 2, Shloka - 47) 

Meaning:

You have right over your actions and not on the fruits of your actions. Engagement in action for the sake of fruits will result in bondage. Avoid obsession with inaction just because it doesn't yield fruits.

Explanation:

A human has right only over his actions, which means he/she can choose the actions. While performing actions, don't develop desire to enjoy fruits of your actions. If you expect fruits, then you become the cause of such fruits. As a result, you will be bound in the cycle of birth and death. However, if you don't expect fruits and accept whatever you get in return without expectation, then you will free yourself from the bondage of action. Performance of duty takes precedence over any other action even if it may not yield any material results. 

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत:।

अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥

(Chapter 4, Shloka - 7 )

Meaning:

Whenever righteousness (Dharma) declines and is on the verge of obscurity while wickedness (Adharma) grows, then and during all such times, I (God) incarnate by creating myself.

Explanation:

Krishna takes birth at a time when wickedness peaks and dominates the world. It is a time when prevailing wickedness becomes unbearable for mother earth. Krishna waits till wickedness reaches peak because until then the balance of earth may not get disturbed. Moreover, Krishna wants to offer ample opportunities to human beings to realize the righteous path.

परित्राणाय साधूनाम् विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्।

धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे-युगे॥

(Chapter - 4, Shloka - 8) 

Meaning:

To protect pure souls & punish the wicked souls and restore righteousness on earth, I have been taking birth in every age for many ages.

Explanation:

Krishna doesn't interfere in human actions, which means he has allowed complete freedom to everyone to follow his/her path. Only when human degradation reaches a level which is beyond the control of positive powers on earth, Krishna incarnates to restore righteousness to maintain balance on earth.

नैनं छिद्रन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावक: ।

न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुत ॥

(Chapter - 2, Shloka - 23)

Meaning:

The soul is neither destroyed by weapons nor burnt by fire. It can neither get wet by water nor dried by air. 

Explanation: 

The soul is indestructible and continues to exist forever. It may change form from one living entity to another through cycle of births and deaths however, its journey never stops. In the larger scheme of things, material aspects of earth don't have the ability to impact the soul. 

हतो वा प्राप्यसि स्वर्गम्, जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महिम्।

तस्मात् उत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चय:॥

(Chapter - 2, Shloka - 37 )

Meaning:

In case you attain Veergati during war, then you will reach heaven and if you are victorious in war, then you will enjoy the comforts of the world. Therefore, Oh Arjuna, stand up to fight with determination. 

Explanation:

Krishna is highlighting that nothing deserves your grief during war time. The next journey is determined by your sincerity towards your duty and not by the outcome of the war. The final outcome is auspicious for the winning side and the losing side both.