Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 5 verse 11
Chapter 5 · Karma Sanyasa Yoga

Action for Purification · A Different Purpose

कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि । योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वात्मशुद्धये ।।11।।

kāyena manasā buddhyā kevalair indriyair api yoginaḥ karma kurvanti saṅgaṃ tyaktvātma-śuddhaye

Meaning

"Yogis perform action with body, mind, intellect, and even with the senses alone, abandoning attachment, for the purpose of self-purification."

Explanation

Krishna redefines the purpose of action itself — not for gain, but for the gradual purification of one's own being.

Today's Life Lesson

Try today to see your work as a way of refining yourself inwardly, not just achieving an outward goal.

More verses to reflect on