Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 22
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Mistaking a Fragment for the Whole · Staying Humble

यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् । अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥

yat tu kṛtsna-vad ekasmin kārye saktam ahaitukam atattvārtha-vad alpaṁ ca tat tāmasam udāhṛtam

Meaning

"But that knowledge which clings to one single effect as if it were the whole, without reason, without grasping the real truth, and trivial, is declared to be tamasic."

Explanation

Mistaking a small fragment of truth for the whole picture is a common trap — worth staying humble about how much more there usually is beyond what you currently see.

Today's Life Lesson

Before assuming you have the full picture on something today, ask what part might still be missing.

More verses to reflect on