Good Thoughts Create a Good Life: Teachings from the Gita and Upanishads
- myNachiketa
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Have you ever noticed that when you think happy and kind thoughts, you feel better inside, and when you think angry or sad thoughts, everything feels heavy? Ancient Hindu wisdom teaches that our thoughts are very powerful. They shape our actions, our habits, and finally our lives. Both the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads clearly explain that what we think inside slowly becomes who we are.
myNachiketa presents Good Thoughts Create a Good Life: Teachings from the Gita and Upanishads
Shloka from the Bhagavad Gita
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन: ||
Uddhared atmanatmanam natmanam avasadayet
Atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah
Meaning: Elevate yourself through the power of your mind, and do not degrade yourself, for the mind can be the friend and also the enemy of the self.
In this shloka, Shri Krishna is teaching us something very important: we have the power to lift ourselves or pull ourselves down, and that power is inside our own mind.
The mind can be your best friend
When your mind is full of positive thoughts, it becomes your best friend. It encourages you to try again when you fail, to be kind when someone hurts you, and to stay calm when things are difficult. A friendly mind says things like, “I can learn,” “I will try,” and “I can be better tomorrow.”
According to the Gita, when we think good thoughts, we slowly build a good life. We make better choices, treat others kindly, and feel peaceful inside. This is how we “lift ourselves,” just as the shloka says.
The mind can also become an enemy
But when the mind is full of negative thoughts, it can become our enemy. Thoughts like “I am not good enough,” “I cannot do anything right,” or “I will always fail” make us feel sad and weak. Such thoughts stop us from trying and learning.
Shri Krishna warns us not to degrade ourselves with these thoughts. No one else needs to pull us down if our own mind is doing it. That is why learning to guide our thoughts is very important.
The Upanishads on the power of thoughts
The Upanishads, ancient philosophical texts of Hinduism, also convey this idea.
Chandogya Upanishad
यथाक्रतुरस्मिँल्लोके पुरुषो भवति तथेतः प्रेत्य भवति।
स क्रतुं कुर्वीत॥
Yatha kratur asmin loke purusho bhavati tath etah pretya bhavati
Sa kratum kurvita
Meaning: As a person thinks in this life, so does he become. Therefore, one should shape one’s thoughts carefully.
This verse tells us that our future depends on our thoughts. Just like a seed grows into the plant it is meant to be, our thoughts slowly grow into our character and life. That is why the Upanishads tell us to choose our thoughts wisely.
Buy our books to explore more inspiring stories and lessons for children
Brihadaranyaka Upanisha
यथाकामो भवति तत्क्रतुर्भवति यत्क्रतुर्भवति तत्कर्म कुरुते
यत्कर्म कुरुते तदभिसम्पद्यते
Yatha kamo bhavati tat kratur bhavati Yat kratur bhavati tat karma kurute
Yat karma kurute tad abhisampadyate
Meaning: As one’s desire is, so is one’s thought. As one’s thought is, so is one’s action. As one’s action is, so is one’s result.
This teaching shows a clear path: thoughts lead to actions, and actions lead to results. If we think good thoughts, we do good actions and receive good results. This is the law of karma explained in a very simple way.
How do good thoughts create a good life?
Good thoughts lead to good actions. Good actions create good habits. Good habits slowly build a good life. Hindu philosophy teaches that even small thoughts matter. Thinking kindly about yourself helps you grow confident. Thinking kindly about others helps you build friendships. Thinking calmly helps you solve problems better.
The Gita reminds us that we are responsible for our inner world. Even when we cannot control everything outside, we can try to control what we think and how we react.
Conclusion
The Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads together teach us one beautiful truth: a good life begins with good thoughts. Our mind is like a garden, whatever thoughts we plant will grow. If we plant anger, fear, or doubt, life becomes heavy. If we plant kindness, courage, and hope, life becomes bright and joyful. By choosing our thoughts wisely, we slowly lift ourselves higher every day and become our own best friend, just as Shri Krishna teaches.
More such blogs
Resources
Comments