Chapter 18 Verse 57
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः।बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव।।18.57।।
chetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ buddhi-yogam upāśhritya mach-chittaḥ satataṁ bhava
Word Meanings
| chetasā | by consciousness |
| sarva-karmāṇi | every activity |
| mayi | to me |
| sannyasya | dedicating |
| mat-paraḥ | having me as the supreme goal |
| buddhi-yogam | having the intellect united with God |
| upāśhritya | taking shelter of |
| mat-chittaḥ | consciousness absorbed in me |
| satatam | always |
| bhava | be |
Translation
Mentally renouncing all actions in Me, having Me as the highest goal, and resorting to the yoga of discrimination, do thou ever fix thy mind on Me.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse asks you to give your inner attention to God while doing all your actions. It speaks of mental renunciation — not withdrawing from life, but offering what you do to a higher purpose and not clinging to results.
"Buddhi-yoga" means using your clear judgment to choose what is right and to see what truly matters. When your mind and intellect are turned toward the Divine, your work becomes steady, peaceful, and free from selfish anxiety.
The real practice is constant inner remembering. Keep your heart and mind fixed on God even as you act in the world, so action and surrender become one living way.
Life Application
- Before you start any task, take a breath and mentally offer the action to the Divine or a higher purpose. This shifts motivation from ego to service.
- Use simple reflection to check choices: does this help me grow or only satisfy temporary desire? Let this guide decisions rather than impulse.
- When outcomes upset you, remind yourself you did your best and release attachment to results; keep returning your attention to the Divine.
Reflection Question
How would my actions change today if I offered them to a purpose larger than my own gain?