In Bhagavad Gita 18.56, Krishna says one who takes refuge in him, though always performing all actions, attains by his grace the eternal, imperishable abode.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा
कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः
मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति
शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ॥ १८-५६ ॥
sarvakarmāṇyapi sadā
kurvāṇo madvyapāśrayaḥ
matprasādādavāpnoti
śāśvataṃ padamavyayam
English transliteration sarvakarmaanyapi sadaa
kurvaano madvyapaashrayah
matprasaadaadavaapnoti
shaashvatam padamavyayam ॥ 18.56 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Though always performing all kinds of actions, one who takes refuge in Me attains, by My grace, the eternal and imperishable abode.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सर्वकर्माणि sarvakarmāṇi | all kinds of actions |
| अपि api | though |
| सदा sadā | always |
| कुर्वाणः kurvāṇaḥ | performing |
| मद्व्यपाश्रयः madvyapāśrayaḥ | taking refuge in Me mat (Me) + vyapāśrayaḥ (refuge) |
| मत्प्रसादात् matprasādāt | by My grace mat (My) + prasādāt (grace) |
| अवाप्नोति avāpnoti | attains |
| शाश्वतम् śāśvatam | eternal |
| पदम् padam | abode |
| अव्ययम् avyayam | imperishable |
Word-wise Chanting
- sar–va–kar–māṇ–ya–pi sa–dā 8 syllables sar-va-kar-maan-ya-pi sa-daa
- kur–vā–ṇo mad–vya–pāś–ra–yaḥ | 8 syllables kur-vaa-no mad-vya-paash-ra-yah
- mat–pra–sā–dā–da–vāp–no–ti 8 syllables mat-pra-saa-daa-da-vaap-no-ti
- śāś–va–taṃ pa–da–mav–ya–yam || 18-56 8 syllables shaash-va-tam pa-da-mav-ya-yam
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 18 Verse 56
Context
Krishna presents the path of action and devotion (18.56–18.58).
Meaning
One need not withdraw from the world to reach the Divine. Even while constantly engaged in all kinds of activity, one who is mad-vyapāśraya, taking refuge in the Divine, reaches the eternal abode through mat-prasāda, the Divine’s grace.
This is a great assurance for those with busy lives. Refuge in the Divine, not withdrawal from action, is what matters.
In Practice
In the midst of your busiest moment today, take refuge in the Divine inwardly.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). 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.