Bhagavad Gita 12.11

Verse 11

अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः | सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् || ११ ||

Transliteration

athaitad apy aśakto 'si kartuṁ mad-yogam āśritaḥ sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ tataḥ kuru yatātmavān

Synonyms

atha—however; etat—this; api—also; aśaktaḥ—unable; asi—you are; kartum—to do; mad-yogam—My yoga; āśritaḥ—taking refuge; sarva-karma-phala-tyāgam—renunciation of all fruits of action; tataḥ—then; kuru—do; yata-ātmavān—self-controlled.

Translation

If you are unable to do even this, then, taking refuge in My yoga, perform all actions renouncing their fruits with a self-controlled mind.

Multi-Tradition Commentary

Swami Chinmayananda

This is the fourth and most accessible rung of the spiritual ladder — simple renunciation of the fruits of all actions. Even one who cannot meditate, cannot practice systematically, and cannot dedicate actions with devotion can at least stop clinging to results. This is the minimum entry point. By releasing the grip on outcomes, the ego is loosened, the mind is purified, and the higher steps naturally become accessible.

Practical Application (Modern Life)

Whenever you notice anxiety about a result — an exam, a conversation, a project — practice consciously releasing the outcome. Say to yourself, 'I will do my best; the result is not mine to control.' This is not passive indifference but active engagement without ego-investment. It is harder than it sounds and more powerful than it seems.

Chapter Content

View all shlokas in Chapter 12

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