Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 51
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

A Settled Inner Life · A Practical Checklist

बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च । शब्दादीन्विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च ॥

buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto dhṛtyātmānaṁ niyamya ca śabdādīn viṣayāṁs tyaktvā rāga-dveṣau vyudasya ca

Meaning

"United with a purified intellect, restraining the self with steadfastness, giving up sense objects like sound, and casting aside attachment and aversion—"

Explanation

This begins a beautiful, practical checklist for a settled inner life: clear thinking, self-restraint, and stepping back from the pull of attraction and aversion.

Today's Life Lesson

Practice one small step toward a settled mind today — a moment of clear thinking, or simply noticing attraction and aversion without acting on either.

More verses to reflect on