Chapter 18 Verse 60
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा।कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत्।।18.60।।
swbhāva-jena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā kartuṁ nechchhasi yan mohāt kariṣhyasy avaśho ’pi tat
Word Meanings
| swabhāva-jena | born of one’s own material nature |
| kaunteya | Arjun, the son of Kunti |
| nibaddhaḥ | bound |
| svena | by your own |
| karmaṇā | actions |
| kartum | to do |
| na | not |
| ichchhasi | you wish |
| yat | which |
| mohāt | out of delusion |
| kariṣhyasi | you will do |
| avaśhaḥ | helplessly |
| api | even though |
| tat | that |
Translation
O Arjuna, bound by your own Karma (action) born of your own nature, that which from delusion you wish not to do, even that you shall do helplessly.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says we are tied to the results of our own past actions and to the habits that grew out of our nature. These inner patterns make us act in ways we may not truly want. The “delusion” means we are not fully aware of how deeply these habits shape our choices.
It also points to responsibility: this binding is not an outside fate but the outcome of what we have done and repeated before. Freedom comes not by blaming fate but by changing the underlying habits and clear seeing of our motives.
Spiritually, the way out is steady inner work — awareness, right action, and letting go of the attachments that feed repeated behavior. With practice we can weaken old tendencies and choose from clarity rather than compulsion.
Life Application
- Notice one recurring action you dislike and trace what usually triggers it; awareness weakens automatic response.
- Make one small, consistent habit change (same time/place) to replace the old pattern; repeat it daily until it feels natural.
- Before acting, take a short pause and a few breaths to check if you are responding from habit or from clear choice.
Reflection Question
What one habit do I keep repeating even though I don’t truly want to?