Freedom Through Letting Goमोक्षसंन्यासयोग

संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्।
त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन॥

saṁnyāsasya mahā-bāho tattvam icchāmi veditum,
tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pṛthak keśi-niṣūdana.

O mighty-armed one, I wish to know the true nature of renunciation and of relinquishment, and how each differs from the other.

काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः।
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः॥

kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ saṁnyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ,
sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ prāhus tyāgaṁ vicakṣaṇāḥ.

The sages understand renunciation as setting aside actions driven by desire. The discerning call relinquishment the giving up of the fruits of all actions.

Live it todayDo the work fully; hold its outcome lightly.

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः।
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे॥

tyājyaṁ doṣavad ity eke karma prāhur manīṣiṇaḥ,
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyam iti cāpare.

Some thinkers say that action should be given up as inherently flawed. Others say that acts of sacrifice, giving and austerity should never be given up.

निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम।
त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः संप्रकीर्तितः॥

niścayaṁ śṛṇu me tatra tyāge bharata-sattama,
tyāgo hi puruṣa-vyāghra tri-vidhaḥ saṁprakīrtitaḥ.

Now hear my settled view on relinquishment, O best of the Bharatas. Relinquishment is declared to be of three kinds.

यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्।
यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम्॥

yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaṁ kāryam eva tat,
yajño dānaṁ tapaś caiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām.

Acts of sacrifice, giving and austerity should not be abandoned; they must indeed be done. Sacrifice, giving and austerity purify even the wise.

Live it todayGiving and self-discipline keep cleansing you, however far you have come.

एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च।
कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम्॥

etāny api tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni ca,
kartavyānīti me pārtha niścitaṁ matam uttamam.

But even these actions should be done after giving up attachment and the wish for their fruits. This, O Partha, is my firm and highest conviction.

Live it todayDo even your good deeds without keeping score.

नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते।
मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः॥

niyatasya tu saṁnyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate,
mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ.

It is not fitting to renounce an obligatory duty. Abandoning it out of delusion is declared to be tamasic.

Live it todayDropping a duty out of confusion is not freedom, only darkness.

दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्।
स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत्॥

duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśa-bhayāt tyajet,
sa kṛtvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet.

One who gives up a duty merely because it is painful, out of fear of bodily hardship, makes a rajasic relinquishment and never gains the fruit of relinquishment.

Live it todayAvoiding the hard thing is not the same as letting go.

कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन।
सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः॥

kāryam ity eva yat karma niyataṁ kriyate ‘rjuna,
saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalaṁ caiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ.

When an obligatory duty is done simply because it ought to be done, O Arjuna, giving up attachment and its fruit, that relinquishment is considered sattvic.

Live it todayDo it because it is yours to do, then let it go.

न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते।
त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः॥

na dveṣṭy akuśalaṁ karma kuśale nānuṣajjate,
tyāgī sattva-samāviṣṭo medhāvī chinna-saṁśayaḥ.

The true relinquisher, filled with sattva, wise and free of doubt, neither resents unpleasant work nor clings to pleasant work.

Live it todayGive the dull task and the pleasant one the same care.

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते॥

na hi deha-bhṛtā śakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇy aśeṣataḥ,
yas tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate.

No one who lives in a body can give up action entirely. But one who gives up the fruits of action is truly called a relinquisher.

Live it todayYou cannot stop acting, but you can stop clutching at results.

अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम्।
भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित्॥

aniṣṭam iṣṭaṁ miśraṁ ca tri-vidhaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam,
bhavaty atyāgināṁ pretya na tu saṁnyāsināṁ kvacit.

For those who have not relinquished, the fruit of action after death is of three kinds: unwanted, wanted and mixed. But for those who have renounced, there is none at all.

पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे।
सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम्॥

pañcaitāni mahā-bāho kāraṇāni nibodha me,
sāṁkhye kṛtānte proktāni siddhaye sarva-karmaṇām.

O mighty-armed one, learn from me these five causes for the accomplishment of every action, as set out in the Sankhya teaching, in which action comes to its end.

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम्।
विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम्॥

adhiṣṭhānaṁ tathā kartā karaṇaṁ ca pṛthag-vidham,
vividhāś ca pṛthak ceṣṭā daivaṁ caivātra pañcamam.

The body, which is the seat of action; the doer; the various instruments; the many distinct efforts; and the fifth among them, the divine.

शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः।
न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः॥

śarīra-vāṅ-manobhir yat karma prārabhate naraḥ,
nyāyyaṁ vā viparītaṁ vā pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ.

Whatever action a person undertakes with body, speech or mind, whether right or wrong, these five are its causes.

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः।
पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः॥

tatraivaṁ sati kartāram ātmānaṁ kevalaṁ tu yaḥ,
paśyaty akṛta-buddhitvān na sa paśyati durmatiḥ.

This being so, one who, through an untrained understanding, sees the self alone as the doer, that person of poor judgment does not truly see.

Live it todayNo outcome rests on you alone; many forces shape it.

यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते।
हत्वापि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते॥

yasya nāhaṁ-kṛto bhāvo buddhir yasya na lipyate,
hatvāpi sa imā~l lokān na hanti na nibadhyate.

One who has no sense of being the doer, and whose understanding is unstained, does not truly kill even if he kills these people, nor is he bound by it.

ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना।
करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसंग्रहः॥

jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ parijñātā tri-vidhā karma-codanā,
karaṇaṁ karma karteti tri-vidhaḥ karma-saṁgrahaḥ.

Knowledge, the thing to be known and the knower are the threefold impulse to action. The instrument, the act and the doer are the threefold basis of action.

ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः।
प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि॥

jñānaṁ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ,
procyate guṇa-saṁkhyāne yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api.

In the teaching on the gunas, knowledge, action and the doer are each said to be of three kinds, according to the difference in gunas. Hear about these too, just as they are.

सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते।
अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम्॥

sarva-bhūteṣu yenaikaṁ bhāvam avyayam īkṣate,
avibhaktaṁ vibhakteṣu taj jñānaṁ viddhi sāttvikam.

The knowledge by which one sees a single, imperishable reality in all beings, undivided within the divided, know that knowledge to be sattvic.

Live it todayLook past the differences; the same life looks back at you.

पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्।
वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम्॥

pṛthaktvena tu yaj jñānaṁ nānā-bhāvān pṛthag-vidhān,
vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu taj jñānaṁ viddhi rājasam.

But the knowledge that sees in all beings many separate natures of different kinds, each set apart from the others, know that knowledge to be rajasic.

यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम्।
अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥

yat tu kṛtsnavad ekasmin kārye saktam ahaitukam,
atattvārthavad alpaṁ ca tat tāmasam udāhṛtam.

And the knowledge that clings to one single thing as if it were the whole, without reason, without grasp of the truth, and narrow, is called tamasic.

Live it todayIf one small thing has become your whole world, step back and look wider.

नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।
अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते॥

niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣataḥ kṛtam,
aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam ucyate.

Action that is rightly ordained, done without attachment, without liking or dislike, by one who does not seek its fruit, is called sattvic.

Live it todayDo the right task cleanly, without craving or grudge.

यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः।
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम्॥

yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṅkāreṇa vā punaḥ,
kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ tad rājasam udāhṛtam.

But action done by one who craves pleasures, or with a sense of self-importance, and with great strain, is called rajasic.

Live it todayWork fueled by craving and ego is always heavier than it needs to be.

अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम्।
मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते॥

anubandhaṁ kṣayaṁ hiṁsām anapekṣya ca pauruṣam,
mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam ucyate.

Action begun out of delusion, without regard for its consequences, the loss and harm it may cause, or one’s own capacity, is called tamasic.

Live it todayBefore you act, weigh the cost, the harm, and your own strength.

मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकारः कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते॥

mukta-saṅgo ‘nahaṁ-vādī dhṛty-utsāha-samanvitaḥ,
siddhy-asiddhyor nirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvika ucyate.

The doer who is free from attachment, who does not boast of himself, who is full of steadiness and zeal, and who is unchanged in success and failure, is called sattvic.

Live it todayBring steadiness and zeal, and stay the same whether it works or not.

रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः।
हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः॥

rāgī karma-phala-prepsur lubdho hiṁsātmako ‘śuciḥ,
harṣa-śokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ.

The doer who is driven by passion, eager for the fruits of action, greedy, harmful by nature, impure, and swept along by joy and sorrow, is declared rajasic.

अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः।
विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते॥

ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko ‘lasaḥ,
viṣādī dīrgha-sūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate.

The doer who is undisciplined, coarse, stubborn, deceitful, malicious, lazy, despondent and given to putting things off is called tamasic.

बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु।
प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय॥

buddher bhedaṁ dhṛteś caiva guṇatas tri-vidhaṁ śṛṇu,
procyamānam aśeṣeṇa pṛthaktvena dhanañjaya.

Now hear, O Dhananjaya, the threefold division of understanding and of resolve according to the gunas, explained fully and one by one.

प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये।
बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी॥

pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye,
bandhaṁ mokṣaṁ ca yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī.

The understanding that knows when to act and when to refrain, what should be done and what should not, what is to be feared and what is not, what binds and what sets free, that understanding, O Partha, is sattvic.

Live it todayWisdom is knowing when to act, when to hold back, and what truly binds.

यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च।
अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ राजसी॥

yayā dharmam adharmaṁ ca kāryaṁ cākāryam eva ca,
ayathāvat prajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī.

The understanding by which one misjudges dharma and adharma, what should be done and what should not, that understanding, O Partha, is rajasic.

अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसाऽऽवृता।
सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धिः सा पार्थ तामसी॥

adharmaṁ dharmam iti yā manyate tamasā ‘ ‘vṛtā,
sarvārthān viparītāṁś ca buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī.

The understanding which, wrapped in darkness, takes adharma to be dharma and sees everything upside down, that understanding, O Partha, is tamasic.

धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः।
योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी॥

dhṛtyā yayā dhārayate manaḥ-prāṇendriya-kriyāḥ,
yogenāvyabhicāriṇyā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī.

The unwavering resolve by which, through yoga, one holds steady the workings of the mind, the life breath and the senses, that resolve, O Partha, is sattvic.

Live it todayReal resolve is a quiet hold on your mind, breath and senses.

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन।
प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी॥

yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛtyā dhārayate ‘rjuna,
prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī.

But the resolve by which one holds on to duty, pleasure and wealth, out of attachment and craving their fruits, that resolve, O Arjuna, is rajasic.

यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च।
न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी॥

yayā svapnaṁ bhayaṁ śokaṁ viṣādaṁ madam eva ca,
na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī.

The resolve by which a dull-witted person will not let go of sleep, fear, grief, despair and arrogance, that resolve, O Partha, is tamasic.

Live it todayHolding on to fear and gloom is also a kind of stubbornness.

सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ।
अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति॥

sukhaṁ tv idānīṁ tri-vidhaṁ śṛṇu me bharatarṣabha,
abhyāsād ramate yatra duḥkhāntaṁ ca nigacchati.

And now hear from me, O best of the Bharatas, the three kinds of happiness: the happiness in which one comes to delight through practice, and in which sorrow comes to an end.

Live it todaySome joys only open up through steady practice; keep going.

यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम्।
तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम्॥

yat tad agre viṣam iva pariṇāme ‘mṛtopamam,
tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam.

That which is like poison at first but like nectar in the end, born of the clear serenity of one’s own understanding, that happiness is called sattvic.

Live it todayThe good things often taste bitter first; trust where they lead.

विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम्।
परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम्॥

viṣayendriya-saṁyogād yat tad agre ‘mṛtopamam,
pariṇāme viṣam iva tat sukhaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam.

The happiness that comes from the senses meeting their objects, like nectar at first but like poison in the end, is known as rajasic.

Live it todayBefore the next easy pleasure, ask how it will feel tomorrow.

यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः।
निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥

yad agre cānubandhe ca sukhaṁ mohanam ātmanaḥ,
nidrālasya-pramādotthaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛtam.

The happiness that deludes the self both at the start and in the end, arising from sleep, laziness and heedlessness, is called tamasic.

न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः।
सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः॥

na tad asti pṛthivyāṁ vā divi deveṣu vā punaḥ,
sattvaṁ prakṛti-jair muktaṁ yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ.

There is no being, on earth or in heaven among the gods, that is free from these three gunas born of nature.

ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परंतप।
कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः॥

brāhmaṇa-kṣatriya-viśāṁ śūdrāṇāṁ ca paraṁtapa,
karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāva-prabhavair guṇaiḥ.

O scorcher of foes, the duties of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras are distinguished according to the qualities that arise from their own nature.

शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च।
ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम्॥

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca,
jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam.

Calm, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forbearance, uprightness, knowledge, realized wisdom and faith are the work of the Brahmana, born of inner nature.

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम्।
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम्॥

śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam,
dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam.

Valor, vigor, steadiness, resourcefulness, not fleeing from battle, generosity and the bearing of a leader are the work of the Kshatriya, born of inner nature.

कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम्।
परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम्॥

kṛṣi-gaurakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam,
paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam.

Farming, tending cattle and trade are the work of the Vaishya, born of inner nature. Work that takes the form of service is likewise the work of the Shudra, born of inner nature.

स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः।
स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु॥

sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ,
sva-karma-nirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tac chṛṇu.

Devoted to one’s own work, each person attains perfection. Now hear how one who is devoted to one’s own work finds that perfection.

यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम्।
स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः॥

yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānāṁ yena sarvam idaṁ tatam,
sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya siddhiṁ vindati mānavaḥ.

By worshipping through his own work the One from whom all beings arise and by whom all this is pervaded, a person attains perfection.

Live it todayYour ordinary work, offered, is a form of worship.

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।
स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्॥

śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt,
svabhāva-niyataṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam.

Better is one’s own dharma, even if imperfectly done, than the dharma of another well performed. One who does the work set by one’s own nature incurs no sin.

सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्।
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः॥

sahajaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣam api na tyajet,
sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ.

O son of Kunti, one should not abandon the work one is born with, even if it has flaws, for every undertaking is clouded by some flaw, as fire is by smoke.

असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः।
नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां संन्यासेनाधिगच्छति॥

asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigata-spṛhaḥ,
naiṣkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ saṁnyāsenādhigacchati.

One whose understanding is unattached everywhere, who has mastered himself and is free from longing, attains through renunciation the supreme perfection of freedom from action.

Live it todayMaster yourself, drop the craving, and work stops binding you.

सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे।
समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा॥

siddhiṁ prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me,
samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣṭhā jñānasya yā parā.

Learn from me in brief, O son of Kunti, how one who has gained this perfection reaches Brahman, the highest culmination of knowledge.

बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्याऽऽत्मानं नियम्य च।
शब्दादीन् विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च॥

buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto dhṛtyā ‘ ‘tmānaṁ niyamya ca,
śabdādīn viṣayāṁs tyaktvā rāga-dveṣau vyudasya ca.

Such a person is joined to a purified understanding, restrains the self with firm resolve, sets aside sound and the other objects of the senses, and casts off attraction and aversion.

Live it todayLoosen both pulls, the craving and the dislike, and the mind grows clear.

विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः।
ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः॥

vivikta-sevī laghv-āśī yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ,
dhyāna-yoga-paro nityaṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāśritaḥ.

Such a person lives in solitude, eats lightly, keeps speech, body and mind in check, is ever devoted to the yoga of meditation, and holds fast to dispassion.

Live it todaySome quiet, a lighter plate, fewer words: small doors to a deeper mind.

अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम्।
विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते॥

ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ parigraham,
vimucya nirmamaḥ śānto brahma-bhūyāya kalpate.

Having let go of ego, force, arrogance, desire, anger and possessiveness, free from the sense of mine and at peace, one becomes fit for oneness with Brahman.

Live it todayEvery bit of ego and grasping you set down makes room for peace.

ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति।
समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम्॥

brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati,
samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām.

Having become one with Brahman, serene within, one neither grieves nor craves. Equal toward all beings, such a person attains supreme devotion to me.

Live it todaySerenity is not the end of the path; it opens into love.

भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः।
ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम्॥

bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ,
tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśate tad-anantaram.

Through devotion one comes to know me truly, what I am and how vast I am. Then, having known me in truth, one enters into me at once.

Live it todayLove is also a way of knowing.

सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः।
मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम्॥

sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśrayaḥ,
mat-prasādād avāpnoti śāśvataṁ padam avyayam.

Even while always doing every kind of work, one who takes refuge in me attains, by my grace, the eternal and imperishable abode.

Live it todayYou need not leave your work to find God; lean on Him within it.

चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः।
बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव॥

cetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi saṁnyasya mat-paraḥ,
buddhi-yogam upāśritya mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava.

In your heart, offer all actions to me and hold me as your highest goal. Resting in the yoga of understanding, keep your mind always fixed on me.

Live it todayBegin each task by quietly offering it to God.

मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि।
अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि॥

mac-cittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi,
atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān na śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi.

With your mind fixed on me, you will cross every obstacle by my grace. But if out of ego you will not listen, you will perish.

Live it todayHold on to grace, and even the hardest passes can be crossed.

यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे।
मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति॥

yad ahaṅkāram āśritya na yotsya iti manyase,
mithyaiṣa vyavasāyas te prakṛtis tvāṁ niyokṣyati.

If, leaning on ego, you resolve that you will not fight, that resolve of yours is in vain. Your own nature will drive you to it.

स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा।
कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत्॥

svabhāva-jena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā,
kartuṁ necchasi yan mohāt kariṣyasy avaśo ‘pi tat.

Bound by your own work, born of your nature, O son of Kunti, what you do not wish to do out of delusion, you will do even against your will.

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति।
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया॥

īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ‘rjuna tiṣṭhati,
bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā.

The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, moving them all by his maya, as though they were mounted on a machine.

Live it todayThe One you seek is already seated in your own heart.

तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत।
तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम्॥

tam eva śaraṇaṁ gaccha sarva-bhāvena bhārata,
tat-prasādāt parāṁ śāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śāśvatam.

Take refuge in that Lord alone with your whole being, O Bharata. By his grace you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode.

Live it todayGive your whole heart to God, and peace follows.

इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया।
विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु॥

iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā,
vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru.

Thus I have told you the knowledge more secret than all secrets. Reflect on it fully, and then do as you choose.

Live it todayEven the Lord ends with a choice left in your hands.

सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः शृणु मे परमं वचः।
इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्॥

sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ,
iṣṭo ‘si me dṛḍham iti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam.

Hear once more my supreme word, the most secret of all. You are deeply dear to me, and so I will tell you what is for your good.

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु।
मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे॥

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru,
mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo ‘si me.

Fix your mind on me, be devoted to me, worship me, bow down to me. You will surely come to me; this I truly promise you, for you are dear to me.

Live it todayA small daily bow, offered with love, keeps you close to God.

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja,
ahaṁ tvā sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ.

Abandon all duties and take refuge in me alone. I shall free you from all sins. Do not grieve.

Live it todayWhen the load is too heavy, surrender it and rest.

इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन।
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति॥

idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana,
na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṁ na ca māṁ yo ‘bhyasūyati.

Never speak of this to one who lacks self-discipline, to one without devotion, to one who does not wish to listen, or to one who scorns me.

य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति।
भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः॥

ya imaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati,
bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ.

Whoever shares this supreme secret among my devotees, having offered the highest devotion to me, will without doubt come to me.

Live it todaySharing what helped you with those who seek is itself devotion.

न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः।
भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि॥

na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ,
bhavitā na ca me tasmād anyaḥ priyataro bhuvi.

No one among people does me a dearer service than such a person, and no one on earth will ever be dearer to me.

अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः।
ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः॥

adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādam āvayoḥ,
jñāna-yajñena tenāham iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ.

And whoever studies this sacred dialogue of ours worships me through the offering of knowledge. This is my conviction.

Live it todayReading the Gita with care is itself an act of worship.

श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः।
सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम्॥

śraddhāvān anasūyaś ca śṛṇuyād api yo naraḥ,
so ‘pi muktaḥ śubhā~l lokān prāpnuyāt puṇya-karmaṇām.

Even one who simply listens to this teaching with faith and without scorn is freed, and reaches the bright worlds of those whose deeds are pure.

Live it todayEven listening with an open, trusting heart begins to free you.

कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा।
कच्चिदज्ञानसंमोहः प्रनष्टस्ते धनञ्जय॥

kaccid etac chrutaṁ pārtha tvayaikāgreṇa cetasā,
kaccid ajñāna-saṁmohaḥ pranaṣṭas te dhanañjaya.

Have you heard this with a focused mind, O Partha? Has your confusion, born of ignorance, now been dispelled?

नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत।
स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव॥

naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtir labdhā tvat-prasādān mayācyuta,
sthito ‘smi gata-sandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava.

My delusion is destroyed and memory is regained through your grace. I stand firm, my doubts gone. I will do as you say.

Live it todayClarity does not arrive as certainty about everything, only as readiness to act.

इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः।
संवादमिममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम्॥

ity ahaṁ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ,
saṁvādam imam aśrauṣam adbhutaṁ roma-harṣaṇam.

Thus have I heard this wondrous dialogue between Vasudeva and the great-souled Partha, which makes my hair stand on end.

व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम्।
योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम्॥

vyāsa-prasādāc chrutavān etad guhyam ahaṁ param,
yogaṁ yogeśvarāt kṛṣṇāt sākṣāt kathayataḥ svayam.

By the grace of Vyasa I heard this supreme and secret yoga directly from Krishna, the lord of yoga, as he himself spoke it.

राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम्।
केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः॥

rājan saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya saṁvādam imam adbhutam,
keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṁ hṛṣyāmi ca muhur muhuḥ.

O King, as I recall again and again this wondrous and holy dialogue between Keshava and Arjuna, I rejoice over and over.

तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः।
विस्मयो मे महान् राजन् हृष्यामि च पुनः पुनः॥

tac ca saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya rūpam aty-adbhutaṁ hareḥ,
vismayo me mahān rājan hṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ.

And as I recall again and again that most wondrous form of Hari, great is my amazement, O King, and I rejoice again and again.

यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः।
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम॥

yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ,
tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama.

Wherever there is Krishna, the lord of yoga, and Arjuna, the archer, there will surely be fortune, victory, prosperity and sound morality. This is my conviction.

Live it todayWisdom and effort together bring lasting success.