Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 2
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Two Kinds of Letting Go · Acting Without Grasping

श्रीभगवानुवाच । काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं सन्न्यासं कवयो विदुः । सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ sannyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ prāhus tyāgaṁ vicakṣaṇāḥ

Meaning

"The Supreme Lord said: The wise understand sannyasa as giving up desire-driven actions, while the learned call tyaga the relinquishing of the fruits of all actions."

Explanation

Krishna makes a careful distinction here — you don't necessarily have to stop doing things to grow spiritually; you can keep acting, just release your grip on what it earns you.

Today's Life Lesson

You don't have to stop doing things today to grow — just practice releasing your grip on what the outcome gives you.

More verses to reflect on