युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् | अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते || १२ ||
yuktaḥ karma-phalaṃ tyaktvā śāntim āpnoti naiṣṭhikīm ayuktaḥ kāma-kāreṇa phale sakto nibadhyate
yuktaḥ—one who is engaged in devotional service; karma-phalam—the results of all activities; tyaktvā—giving up; śāntim—perfect peace; āpnoti—achieves; naiṣṭhikīm—unflinching; ayuktaḥ—one who is not in union; kāma-kāreṇa—driven by desire; phale—in the result; saktaḥ—attached; nibadhyate—becomes entangled.
“The disciplined yogi, abandoning the fruit of action, attains perfect, lasting peace. The undisciplined person, driven by desire and attached to results, is bound.”
This verse presents a stark and practical contrast. The yogi acts but surrenders results; peace is his permanent possession. The non-yogi also acts, but clings to results; anxiety, disappointment, and bondage are his inevitable companions. The difference is not in the quantity of action but in the quality of inner relationship to results. Peace is not a reward for success; it is the natural state of one who has stopped demanding results.
The next time you feel anxious about the outcome of something important, ask yourself: 'Have I done my best with what I have?' If yes, practice surrendering the result — not passively, but actively offering it to a higher purpose. This is the practical daily application of verse 5.12.