Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 53
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Unburdening, Not Punishment · Setting Down the Weight

अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् । विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥

ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ parigraham vimucya nirmamaḥ śānto brahma-bhūyāya kalpate

Meaning

"—freed from egotism, force, arrogance, desire, anger, and possessiveness, unselfish and peaceful, one becomes fit for union with Brahman."

Explanation

This list of what to release reads less like a punishment and more like an unburdening — imagine how light it would feel to genuinely set down even a few of these.

Today's Life Lesson

Pick just one thing from this list — anger, possessiveness, or pride — and practice setting it down a little today.

More verses to reflect on