In Bhagavad Gita 2.50, Krishna says that one endowed with wisdom casts off both good and bad deeds in this life, so Arjuna should devote himself to yoga, for yoga is skill in action.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह
उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व
योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ॥ २-५० ॥
buddhiyukto jahātīha
ubhe sukṛtaduṣkṛte
tasmādyogāya yujyasva
yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam
English transliteration buddhiyukto jahaateeha
ubhe sukritadushkrite
tasmaadyogaaya yujyasva
yogah karmasu kaushalam ॥ 2.50 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who is endowed with wisdom casts off both good and evil deeds even here in this life. Therefore devote yourself to yoga; yoga is skill in action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| बुद्धियुक्तः buddhiyuktaḥ | endowed with wisdom buddhi (wisdom) + yuktaḥ (endowed) |
| जहाति jahāti | casts off |
| इह iha | here, in this life |
| उभे ubhe | both |
| सुकृतदुष्कृते sukṛtaduṣkṛte | good and evil deeds sukṛta (good deeds) + duṣkṛte (evil deeds) |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| योगाय yogāya | to yoga |
| युज्यस्व yujyasva | devote yourself |
| योगः yogaḥ | yoga |
| कर्मसु karmasu | in actions |
| कौशलम् kauśalam | skill |
Word-wise Chanting
- bud–dhi–yuk–to ja–hā–tī–ha 8 syllables bud-dhi-yuk-to ja-haa-tee-ha
- u–bhe su–kṛ–ta–duṣ–kṛ–te | 8 syllables u-bhe su-kri-ta-dush-kri-te
- tas–mād–yo–gā–ya yuj–yas–va 8 syllables tas-maad-yo-gaa-ya yuj-yas-va
- yo–gaḥ kar–ma–su kau–śa–lam || 2-50 8 syllables yo-gah kar-ma-su kau-sha-lam
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 2 Verse 50
Context
Krishna continues his praise of buddhi-yoga (2.49) with another famous definition of yoga.
Meaning
For the person of wisdom, actions no longer produce binding results, whether good or bad. Even good deeds, if done with attachment, create bondage of a subtler kind. The wise act without clinging, so actions pass through them without leaving chains. Then Krishna gives the definition: yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam, yoga is skill in action.
Skill here means more than technical ability. It is the art of acting in such a way that action frees rather than binds: with full competence, right motive and an even mind. A skilled yogi does excellent work and remains inwardly free. This verse is often quoted as the motto of a life that unites excellence with spirituality.
In Practice
Pick one routine task and do it today with complete skill and care, as an offering, without needing praise for it.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). 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.