A core teaching · devotional in mood · a little context helps
“Continuous action and complete refuge can lead to the same unchanging state.”
A devotee who takes refuge in me, while always doing all actions, attains the eternal, imperishable state through my grace.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyall actions · even · always · doing · taking refuge in me · by my grace · attains · eternal · state · imperishable
Keep doing all your work, but rely on Krishna rather than your own control. That surrender leads to an eternal, unchanging state.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Verse 56 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
A shopkeeper keeps his shutters open through a slow season, pays his workers and serves every customer, while praying each morning. Krishna promises that someone acting fully while taking refuge in him reaches the imperishable state by grace.
Did you like this verse?
Krishna's devotee keeps doing every kind of work, yet by his grace reaches the eternal, imperishable state.
What this verse means
Keep doing all your work, but rely on Krishna rather than your own control. That surrender leads to an eternal, unchanging state.
Context & commentary
Arjuna is being shown the final shape of devotion. Krishna says that even while a person keeps acting in daily life, taking refuge in him leads to the imperishable state beyond fear and loss.
What it looks like today
A shopkeeper keeps his shutters open through a slow season, pays his workers and serves every customer, while praying each morning. Krishna promises that someone acting fully while taking refuge in him reaches the imperishable state by grace.
“You can stay active without feeling alone in the burden. Grace makes the path feel supported.”
Explore related themes: sharanagati (13 verses)