Introduction
In the modern world, where self-worth often gets measured by accomplishments, appearances, and approval, the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita offers a timeless reminder: the journey inward is the greatest victory. I’m Neeti Keswani, a business storytelling coach, Ho’oponopono practitioner, and host of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast. In this deeply reflective article, we explore how the sacred verses of the Gita help us embody self-love in its truest, most divine form.
Self-love, in the Gita’s language, is not self-indulgence. It is self-realization. It is recognizing your eternal nature, honoring your unique dharma, and aligning your actions with inner truth. If you’ve ever felt lost in the noise of expectations, or disconnected from your inner power, this is for you.
Understanding Self-Love Through the Lens of the Gita
Self-love begins with understanding who you are beyond the labels. According to the Gita:
- You are not the body.
- You are not the mind.
- You are the eternal Atman (soul).
This separation from ego is not detachment—it is liberation. When Arjuna stands confused on the battlefield, Krishna doesn’t boost his ego; he reminds him of his higher self. Self-love, therefore, is knowing that your worth is not tied to success or failure, but to your essence. This deeper knowing leads to a compassionate inner dialogue, emotional strength, and a life guided by purpose rather than performance..
15 Bhagavad Gita Teachings That Deepen Self-Love
…(previous 15 verses remain unchanged)…
More Teachings That Anchor Self-Love
- “For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy.” (6.6)
Train your mind to support you. Practicing self-love means noticing negative self-talk and gently replacing it with truth. Meditation, gratitude, and journaling are tools to win this inner battle. - “Even a little effort towards spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear.” (2.40)
One moment of mindfulness can transform your entire day. Don’t underestimate small acts of love towards yourself. - “One who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires that enter like rivers into the ocean… can achieve peace.” (2.70)
Desires will come. But when you stop chasing every want and sit in stillness, you tap into a boundless inner ocean. That’s love. - “The wise see all beings as equal.” (5.18)
Self-love means acknowledging your divine equality. You are not less than anyone. Not in worth. Not in potential. - “Those who are free from pride and delusion… who have conquered the evil of attachment… attain the eternal goal.” (15.5)
Let go of comparison. Let go of clinging. What you seek is already within you.
Practices to Bring Gita’s Self-Love Into Daily Life
- Daily Satsang or Spiritual Reading: Even 10 minutes of reading the Gita or spiritual commentary can reconnect you to your truth.
- Mirror Work with Sanskrit Affirmations: Look into your eyes and say: “Aham Brahmasmi” (I am Divine). Feel it, even if your mind resists.
- Offer Every Act: Before starting your day, offer your work, meals, and relationships to the Divine. This small shift cultivates sacred self-respect.
- Start a Gita Journal: Reflect on one verse a day and journal your response: “What is Krishna saying to me today?”
- Sacred Silence: In a noisy world, schedule 5 minutes of silence. Let yourself be. That’s love.
- Self-Inquiry: Ask yourself, “Am I living from ego or essence right now?” This single question can redirect your day.
How the Gita Shifts Modern Self-Care Culture
Today, self-care is often reduced to bubble baths and spa days. While there’s nothing wrong with that, the Gita teaches self-love as something much more enduring:
- It’s not temporary escape; it’s eternal connection.
- It’s not self-pleasing; it’s self-purifying.
- It’s not soothing the surface; it’s strengthening the soul.
True self-love means embracing your responsibilities, trusting divine timing, and walking your dharma with devotion. When you start treating yourself as an instrument of the Divine, every step becomes sacred.
The Role of Krishna as the Inner Guide
One of the most empowering aspects of the Gita is its depiction of Krishna—not as a distant God, but as the charioteer of your soul. He doesn’t take the weapons from Arjuna—he guides him to rise.
This is what real self-love looks like:
- Not rescuing yourself from discomfort
- But standing tall with faith
- Not escaping from your darkness
- But inviting divine light into it
Every time you close your eyes and connect with your breath, Krishna is speaking. He’s telling you: “You were never alone.”
A Feminine Approach to Self-Love in the Gita
As a woman and spiritual seeker, I’ve often reflected on how the Gita resonates beyond the battlefield. Women fight wars too—emotional, societal, relational. And the Gita meets us there:
- In choices between pleasing others or honoring truth
- In moments of exhaustion, asking: “Do I rest or keep giving?”
- In heartbreak, when detachment feels impossible
The Gita’s self-love is fierce. It’s not passive acceptance—it’s fierce clarity. Feminine strength isn’t about soft whispers—it’s about roaring boundaries. It’s about knowing when to surrender, and when to speak up. The Gita affirms that real love doesn’t make you small. It makes you free.
Self-Love as a Path to Bhakti (Devotion)
The highest form of self-love, as revealed in the Gita, is Bhakti. When you realize that you are not separate from the Divine, your entire being becomes a celebration:
- Your work becomes service
- Your rest becomes surrender
- Your struggles become offerings
Bhakti is the moment you whisper “thank you” even in tears. It is radical trust. It is showing up each day not to prove yourself—but to praise the life force within.
Conclusion
Practicing self-love through the Bhagavad Gita is not just a spiritual exercise—it is a revolution. It is the audacity to love yourself not because you earned it, but because you are it. It is the wisdom to step back from the ego, and see yourself through the eyes of the eternal.
When you align your self-perception with the soul’s truth, you no longer chase validation. You radiate purpose. You become a living embodiment of inner peace, clarity, and quiet confidence.
Let the words of Krishna not be ancient echoes—but living guidance. Every time you falter, remember: the battlefield is within. And your soul was born to rise. You don’t need to seek worth. You need to remember it. And the Bhagavad Gita will always be your mirror.
About Neeti Keswani
Neeti Keswani is a Business Storytelling Coach, Ho’oponopono Practitioner, and the host of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast. She helps entrepreneurs and conscious professionals align their identity with purpose, confidence, and divine flow. Through spiritual storytelling and self-worth coaching, she invites you to rewire your inner dialogue and step into your true power.
Connect with Neeti:
- Website: www.plush-ink.com
- Podcast: Luxury Unplugged on Spotify
- Instagram: @luxurylifestylepodcast
- Book a 1-on-1 Coaching Session: info@plush-ink.com
- YouTube: Luxury Unplugged Podcast