Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 11
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Can't Escape Action · You Can Change the Relationship

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः । यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ॥

na hi deha-bhṛtā śakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇy aśeṣataḥ yas tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate

Meaning

"It is not possible for an embodied being to give up all action entirely; but one who relinquishes the fruit of action is truly called a renunciant."

Explanation

You can't fully escape action just by having a body — but you can absolutely change your relationship to what that action is chasing after.

Today's Life Lesson

You can't opt out of acting today — but you can change your relationship to what you're hoping to get from it.

More verses to reflect on