Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 16
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Not the Sole Cause · Seeing What's Shared

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः । पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः ॥

tatraivaṁ sati kartāram ātmānaṁ kevalaṁ tu yaḥ paśyaty akṛta-buddhitvān na sa paśyati durmatiḥ

Meaning

"This being so, one of impure understanding who sees the self alone as the sole doer does not truly see, being of clouded intellect."

Explanation

Believing you're the single, total cause of everything that happens is its own kind of confusion — real clarity includes seeing how much is actually shared and contributed by forces beyond you.

Today's Life Lesson

Whatever happens today, remember you're one contributor among many, not the sole author of the whole outcome.

More verses to reflect on