Chapter 18 Verse 56
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः।मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम्।।18.56।।
sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśhrayaḥ mat-prasādād avāpnoti śhāśhvataṁ padam avyayam
Word Meanings
| sarva | all |
| karmāṇi | actions |
| api | though |
| sadā | always |
| kurvāṇaḥ | performing |
| mat-vyapāśhrayaḥ | take full refuge in me |
| mat-prasādāt | by my grace |
| avāpnoti | attain |
| śhāśhvatam | the eternal |
| padam | abode |
| avyayam | imperishable |
Translation
Having taken refuge in Me and doing all actions, by My grace he obtains the eternal, indestructible state of being.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches that liberation is not found by abandoning action but by doing your duties while taking refuge in the Divine. When you act with sincere surrender and trust in God, your work becomes a form of devotion.
By depending on divine grace rather than only on personal effort, the seeker moves beyond ego and attachment. That grace transforms action into a path to the eternal, undying state of freedom (moksha).
The message is practical: keep living and working, but let your sense of doer-ship soften and offer the results to something larger than yourself.
Life Application
- Before starting tasks, mentally offer the work and its results to the Divine (or to a higher purpose); this reduces stress about outcomes.
- Do your duties honestly and fully, but practice letting go of attachment to praise, blame, profit, or loss.
- Keep a short daily reminder (prayer, mantra, or intention) to stay connected to surrender while acting.
Reflection Question
In what area of your daily life can you try offering the results of your efforts to a greater purpose?