Chapter 12 Verse 11
Bhakti Yog
अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः।सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान्।।12.11।।
athaitad apy aśhakto ’si kartuṁ mad-yogam āśhritaḥ sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ tataḥ kuru yatātmavān
Word Meanings
| atha | if |
| etat | this |
| api | even |
| aśhaktaḥ | unable |
| asi | you are |
| kartum | to work |
| mad-yogam | with devotion to me |
| āśhritaḥ | taking refuge |
| sarva-karma | of all actions |
| phala-tyāgam | to renounce the fruits |
| tataḥ | then |
| kuru | do |
| yata-ātma-vān | be situated in the self |
Translation
If you are unable to do even this, then, resort to union with Me and renounce the fruits of all actions with self-control.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
If you find it hard to keep perfect control of your mind or to practice steady meditation, then turn to simple devotion. Seek God's refuge and hold an attitude of surrender rather than forcing spiritual practices beyond your current strength.
The key is to give up attachment to results. Do your duty, but do not cling to praise, profit, or outcome. When you act without wanting a particular fruit, your actions become pure and your heart grows calm.
Being "self-controlled" means steadying your inner life. Trust and devotion guide you when discipline feels weak, and detachment frees you from anxiety about success or failure.
Life Application
- Before any task, set the intention to do your best and offer the result to a higher purpose instead of obsessing over success.
- When worry about outcomes rises, pause, breathe, and say a short prayer or reminder of surrender to steady your mind.
- Practice small acts of letting go: give credit, accept criticism, and move on without replaying results in your head.
Reflection Question
Where in your life can you shift from clinging to outcomes to steady effort offered with trust?