Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 60
Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

Working With Your Nature · Costs Less Than Fighting It

स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा । कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् ॥

svabhāva-jena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā kartuṁ necchasi yan mohāt kariṣyasy avaśo 'pi tat

Meaning

"O Kaunteya, bound by your own nature-born action, that which you do not wish to do out of delusion, you will do even helplessly."

Explanation

This is a gentle push toward self-honesty — fighting your own genuine nature usually costs more energy than simply accepting and working with it.

Today's Life Lesson

Instead of resisting a part of your genuine nature today, try working with it — it usually takes less energy than fighting it.

More verses to reflect on