Bhakti Yoga · Verse 11

Bhagavad Gita 12.11

Let go of the result; the action itself is the practice.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः ।
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
अगर मेरे योगसमता के आश्रित हुआ तू इसपूर्वश्लोकमें कहे गये साधन को भी करनेमें असमर्थ है, तो मनइन्द्रियोंको वशमें करके सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंके फलका त्याग कर ॥
English
If you still cannot do even this while taking refuge in my yoga, then, self-controlled, renounce all fruits of action.

What this verse means

If even devotion-filled practice feels too hard, give up the need to own the results of your actions. Stay controlled and let the work be enough.

Context & commentary

On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen between duty and grief. Krishna has already offered steadier practices, and now lowers the threshold again: if even that is too hard, renounce attachment to the fruits of action and keep your mind controlled.

Why this verse still matters

You sent the message, then kept checking for a reply that could save or ruin your day. This verse asks you to stop feeding on the outcome and return to the act itself.

The takeaway

There is relief in releasing the demand that every action must pay you back.

Word-by-word translation

अथ (then) / एतत् अपि (this also) / अशक्तः असि (you are unable) / कर्तुम् (to do) / मद्योगम् आश्रितः (taking refuge in my yoga) / सर्व-कर्म-फल-त्यागम् (renunciation of all fruits of action) / ततः (then) / कुरु (do) / यत-आत्मवान् (self-controlled)

Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), surrender (23 verses)

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