In Bhagavad Gita 12.11, Krishna says that if Arjuna cannot do even this, taking refuge in his yoga, he should give up the fruits of all actions with self-control.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि
कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं
ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् ॥ १२-११ ॥
athaitadapyaśakto’si
kartuṃ madyogamāśritaḥ
sarvakarmaphalatyāgaṃ
tataḥ kuru yatātmavān
English transliteration athaitadapyashakto’si
kartum madyogamaashritah
sarvakarmaphalatyaagam
tatah kuru yataatmavaan ॥ 12.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
If you are unable to do even this, then, taking refuge in My yoga and with self-control, give up the fruits of all actions.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अथ atha | if |
| एतत् etat | this |
| अपि api | even |
| अशक्तः aśaktaḥ | unable |
| असि asi | you are |
| कर्तुम् kartum | to do |
| मद्योगम् madyogam | My yoga mat (My) + yogam (yoga) |
| आश्रितः āśritaḥ | taking refuge |
| सर्वकर्मफलत्यागम् sarvakarmaphalatyāgam | giving up the fruits of all actions sarva (all) + karma (actions) + phala (fruits) + tyāgam (giving up) |
| ततः tataḥ | then |
| कुरु kuru | do |
| यतात्मवान् yatātmavān | with self-control yata (controlled) + ātmavān (self) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–thai–ta–dap–ya–śak–to–‘si 8 syllables a-thai-ta-dap-ya-shak-to-‘si
- kar–tuṃ mad–yo–ga–māś–ri–taḥ | 8 syllables kar-tum mad-yo-ga-maash-ri-tah
- sar–va–kar–ma–pha–lat–yā–gaṃ 8 syllables sar-va-kar-ma-pha-lat-yaa-gam
- ta–taḥ ku–ru ya–tāt–ma–vān || 12-11 8 syllables ta-tah ku-ru ya-taat-ma-vaan
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 12 Verse 11
Context
Krishna gives the last and most accessible step (12.8–12.11).
Meaning
If one cannot even work for the Divine’s sake, there is still a path: sarva-karma-phala-tyāga, give up attachment to the results of all actions. Do your work as you must, but let go of the outcome, with self-discipline.
This is the most accessible path. Anyone can begin by letting go of anxiety about results. It purifies the heart and gradually leads to deeper devotion.
In Practice
Take one outcome you are anxious about and consciously release it today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.