Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 3 verse 27
Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga

Beyond Ego · You're Not Carrying It All Alone

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः । अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥

prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate

Meaning

"All actions are performed by the modes of material nature. But one confused by ego thinks, "I am the doer.""

Explanation

So much stress comes from believing every outcome rests entirely on our own shoulders. Recognizing the many forces at play — nature, circumstance, other people's choices — can be a genuine relief, not a diminishment.

Today's Life Lesson

When something goes wrong today, resist the urge to make it entirely about you — many forces shape every outcome.

More verses to reflect on