Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 14
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Effort and Grace · Honest Humility

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् । विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम् ॥

adhiṣṭhānaṁ tathā kartā karaṇaṁ ca pṛthag-vidham vividhāś ca pṛthak ceṣṭā daivaṁ caivātra pañcamam

Meaning

"The body as basis, the doer, the various instruments, the diverse kinds of effort, and providence — this is the fifth."

Explanation

Effort matters, but so does grace — something beyond your control also plays a part in how things turn out. That's not fatalism; it's honest humility.

Today's Life Lesson

Give today's effort your best, while staying humble that something beyond your control also shapes the result.

More verses to reflect on