न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः ।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ॥
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
कारण कि देहधारी मनुष्यके द्वारा सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंका त्याग करना सम्भव नहीं है । इसलिये जो कर्मफलका त्यागी है, वही त्यागी है ऐसा कहा जाता है ॥
English
For embodied beings, total renunciation of action is impossible. Therefore, one who renounces the fruits of action is called a renunciant.
What this verse means
A person with a body cannot give up all action. Real renunciation means giving up attachment to the results, not abandoning work itself.
Context & commentary
On the Kurukshetra battlefield, Arjuna is still frozen while Krishna teaches him the final synthesis of renunciation. Here Krishna clarifies that embodied life always involves action, so true renunciation is not quitting work but letting go of the reward.
Why this verse still matters
You send the hard message, hit submit, and wait for the fallout. You cannot control every consequence, but you can stop clinging to what happens next.
The takeaway
There is relief in knowing you do not need to escape action to be free.
Word-by-word translation
न (not) / हि (indeed) / देहभृता (by one who bears a body) / शक्यम् (possible) / त्यक्तुम् (to renounce) / कर्माणि (actions) / अशेषतः (without remainder, completely) । / यः (who) / तु (but) / कर्मफलत्यागी (renouncer of the fruits of action) / सः (that one) / त्यागी (renunciant) / इति (thus) / अभिधीयते (is called) ॥
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), tyaga (14 verses), sannyasa (12 verses)