In Bhagavad Gita 18.57, Krishna tells Arjuna to mentally renounce all actions in him, regard him as supreme, rely on the yoga of understanding and keep his mind always on him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि
मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः
बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य
मच्चित्तः सततं भव ॥ १८-५७ ॥
cetasā sarvakarmāṇi
mayi saṃnyasya matparaḥ
buddhiyogamupāśritya
maccittaḥ satataṃ bhava
English transliteration chetasaa sarvakarmaani
mayi samnyasya matparah
buddhiyogamupaashritya
machchittah satatam bhava ॥ 18.57 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Mentally renouncing all actions in Me, regarding Me as the supreme goal, resorting to the yoga of understanding, keep your mind always fixed on Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| चेतसा cetasā | mentally |
| सर्वकर्माणि sarvakarmāṇi | all actions |
| मयि mayi | in Me |
| संन्यस्य saṃnyasya | renouncing |
| मत्परः matparaḥ | regarding Me as supreme |
| बुद्धियोगम् buddhiyogam | the yoga of understanding |
| उपाश्रित्य upāśritya | resorting to |
| मच्चित्तः maccittaḥ | with mind fixed on Me mat (Me) + cittaḥ (mind) |
| सततम् satatam | always |
| भव bhava | be |
Word-wise Chanting
- ce–ta–sā sar–va–kar–mā–ṇi 8 syllables che-ta-saa sar-va-kar-maa-ni
- ma–yi saṃn–yas–ya mat–pa–raḥ | 8 syllables ma-yi samn-yas-ya mat-pa-rah
- bud–dhi–yo–ga–mu–pāś–rit–ya 8 syllables bud-dhi-yo-ga-mu-paash-rit-ya
- mac–cit–taḥ sa–ta–taṃ bha–va || 18-57 8 syllables mach-chit-tah sa-ta-tam bha-va
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 57
Context
Krishna presents the path of action and devotion (18.56–18.58).
Meaning
Renunciation here is cetasā, mental: inwardly offering all actions to the Divine. With the Divine as the highest goal and buddhi-yoga, clear understanding, as support, keep the mind continuously on the Divine.
This combines karma yoga, bhakti and jñāna into one simple practice.
In Practice
Offer each action to the Divine in thought today, and return your mind to it often.
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.