I keep comparing myself with others

1. श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥3.35॥

   śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitātsvadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ

   It is better to follow your own dharma (rightful duty), even imperfectly, than another's dharma done well. Even dying in one's own dharma is better; another's path brings fear.

   Try this today

   When you catch yourself comparing your path with someone else's today, stop and write one thing you are doing well in your own role.

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2. श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥18.47॥

   śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitātsvabhāvaniyataṃ karma kurvannāpnoti kilbiṣam

   Better is one's own dharma (rightful path), even done imperfectly, than another's done well. Doing the work suited to one's nature, one incurs no wrong.

   Try this today

   Notice one moment today when you envy someone else's path. Then do one small thing that moves your own path forward.

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3. यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः।समः सिद्धावसिद्धौ च कृत्वापि न निबध्यते ॥4.22॥

   yadṛcchālābhasantuṣṭo dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥsamaḥ siddhāvasiddhau ca kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate

   Content with whatever comes on its own, beyond the pairs of opposites, free from envy, and balanced in success and failure, such a person is not bound even while acting.

   Try this today

   When you hear of someone else's success today, congratulate them sincerely, and write down one good thing that came to you unasked.

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4. अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च।निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी ॥12.13॥

   adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṃ maitraḥ karuṇa eva canirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamī

   Krishna begins describing the devotee he loves: one who bears ill will towards no being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, steady in pain and pleasure, and forgiving...

   Try this today

   Think of one person you hold a grudge against and, silently, wish them well today. You do not need to contact them.

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5. यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः।हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः ॥12.15॥

   yasmānnodvijate loko lokānnodvijate ca yaḥharṣāmarṣabhayodvegairmukto yaḥ sa ca me priyaḥ

   Krishna says: the one who does not disturb the world, and is not disturbed by the world, who is free from excitement, resentment, fear and agitation, is dear to me.

   Try this today

   In one tense moment today, a traffic jam, a sharp message, a heated meeting, choose to respond calmly instead of adding to the tension.

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6. सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु।साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ॥6.9॥

   suhṛnmitrāryudāsīnamadhyasthadveṣyabandhuṣusādhuṣvapi ca pāpeṣu samabuddhirviśiṣyate

   Even higher is the one who keeps an equal mind toward well-wishers, friends, enemies, neutral people, mediators, the hateful, relatives, the good and even the wrongdoers.

   Try this today

   Think of one person you dislike. Today, treat them with the same basic courtesy you would give a friend: a greeting, a fair hearing, or a kind word.

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7. आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन।सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं सः योगी परमो मतः ॥6.32॥

   ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṃ paśyati yo'rjunasukhaṃ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṃ saḥ yogī paramo mataḥ

   Krishna tells Arjuna: the highest yogi is one who, comparing others with oneself, sees their pleasure and pain as equal to one's own.

   Try this today

   Before you speak or act toward someone today, especially in a disagreement, ask: "How would I feel if this were done to me?" Then choose your words.

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If you are in deep distress or having thoughts of harming yourself, please talk to someone you trust or call India's free Tele-MANAS helpline on 14416.