A declaration · grounding in mood · a little context helps
“Freedom begins when action continues and attachment stops.”
For embodied beings, total renunciation of action is impossible. Therefore, one who renounces the fruits of action is called a renunciant.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallynot · indeed · by one who bears a body · possible · to renounce · actions · who · but · renouncer of the fruits of action · that one · renunciant · thus
A person with a body cannot give up all action. Real renunciation means giving up attachment to the results, not abandoning work itself.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Verse 11 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
A retired man says he has given up the world, yet he still cooks, pays bills and visits the doctor. Krishna would agree he cannot stop acting; what he can give up is his hold on what comes of it.
Did you like this verse?
Anyone with a body must act, so Krishna defines the renunciate as the one who gives up the fruits.
What this verse means
A person with a body cannot give up all action. Real renunciation means giving up attachment to the results, not abandoning work itself.
Context & commentary
Krishna teaches Arjuna the final synthesis of renunciation. Here Krishna clarifies that embodied life always involves action, so true renunciation means letting go of the reward while the work goes on.
What it looks like today
A retired man says he has given up the world, yet he still cooks, pays bills and visits the doctor. Krishna would agree he cannot stop acting; what he can give up is his hold on what comes of it.
“You cannot stop acting while you have a body, so drop the grip on results.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), tyaga (14 verses), sannyasa (12 verses)