Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 17 verse 25
Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Dedicating Beyond Yourself · Loosening the Ego's Grip

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः । दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥

tad ity anabhisandhāya phalaṁ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ dāna-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ

Meaning

"With the utterance of "Tat," and without seeking any reward, various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are performed by those desiring liberation."

Explanation

Dedicating your efforts to something beyond your personal gain — calling it "That," the vast whole — is a way of loosening the ego's grip on even your good deeds.

Today's Life Lesson

Dedicate one good act today to something larger than your own gain — notice how that shifts your feeling about it.

More verses to reflect on