Chapter 18 · Verse 23 · Moksha Sanyaas Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.23
Sanskrit
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते।।18.23।।
Transliteration
niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣhataḥ kṛitam aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam uchyate
In plain words
You are exhausted from trying to control what you cannot control—whether your marriage will heal, whether your debt will return, whether your child will be okay, whether you'll ever find your purpose. Krishna says: do what is yours to do, with full presence and care, and then release your stranglehold on the result. The peace you're looking for isn't on the other side of the outcome you're demanding—it's in the act of showing up faithfully, without needing it to fix everything.
Word by Word
This verse reveals the heart of sattvic action—work performed not for personal gain, but as an offering to the divine order itself. When you act according to your duty, untethered from the fruits and free from the waves of desire and aversion, your action becomes a prayer.
In modern life, this means showing up fully to your responsibilities—whether at work, in relationships, or service—while releasing your grip on outcomes, knowing that your effort itself is the only victory that matters.
Listen
Bhagavad Gita 18.23 — BG 18.23
Your Mantra Prescription
This mantra is prescribed for clarity and purpose. Is that what you're going through?
2.2M people trust Mahakatha