Chapter 18 Verse 12
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम्।भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित्।।18.12।।
aniṣhṭam iṣhṭaṁ miśhraṁ cha tri-vidhaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam bhavaty atyāgināṁ pretya na tu sannyāsināṁ kvachit
Word Meanings
| aniṣhṭam | unpleasant |
| iṣhṭam | pleasant |
| miśhram | mixed |
| cha | and |
| tri-vidham | three-fold |
| karmaṇaḥ phalam | fruits of actions |
| bhavati | accrue |
| atyāginām | to those who are attached to persona reward |
| pretya | after death |
| na | not |
| tu | but |
| sanyāsinām | for the renouncers of actions |
| kvachit | ever |
Translation
The threefold fruit of action (evil, good, and mixed) accrues after death to those who do not abandon it, but never to those who do.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Actions bring three kinds of results: pleasant, unpleasant, or mixed. These outcomes continue to affect a person even after death if they remain attached to them.
True renunciation means letting go of desire for reward. A person who has genuinely given up attachment is not bound by these results, even though they may still act in the world.
This verse points to inner freedom: the loss of bondage comes from releasing craving for fruits, not from merely abandoning outer duties.
Life Application
- Do your work with full effort, then consciously let go of worry about the outcome.
- Notice when you act mainly for praise, money, or status; try shifting your motive toward service or duty.
- Practice small daily acts of detachment (accept both success and failure calmly).
Reflection Question
Where in my life am I still acting out of desire for reward rather than from genuine duty or service?