Release what no longer serves
Attachment causes suffering. Learn the art of releasing people, outcomes, and the past with love.
Karmany evadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana, ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango 'stv akarmani
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
Yoga-sthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya, siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga ucyate
Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.
Matra-sparshas tu kaunteya shitoshna-sukha-duhkha-dah, agamapayino 'nityas tams titikshasva bharata
O son of Kunti, the contact between the senses and sense objects gives rise to fleeting perceptions of happiness and distress. These are impermanent, and come and go like the winter and summer seasons. O descendant of Bharata, one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
Yam hi na vyathayanty ete purusham purusharshabha, sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram so 'mritatvaya kalpate
O best among men, the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.
Duhkhesv anudvigna-manah sukhesu vigata-sprhah, vita-raga-bhaya-krodhah sthita-dhir munir ucyate
One who is not disturbed in spite of miseries, who doesn't crave happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.
Vishaya vinivartante niraharasya dehinah, rasa-varjam raso 'py asya param drishtva nivartate
The objects of the senses turn away from those who abstain from them, but the taste remains. However, even this taste ceases for those who have seen the Supreme.
Mayi sarvani karmani sannyasyadhyatma-cetasa, nirashir nirmamo bhutva yudhyasva vigata-jvarah
Therefore, surrendering all your works unto Me, with mind intent on the self, free from desire and possessiveness, and cured of mental fever, fight.
Brahmany adhaya karmani sangam tyaktva karoti yah, lipyate na sa papena padma-patram ivambhasa
One who performs their duty without attachment, surrendering the results to the Supreme, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Bahya-sparseshv asaktatma vindaty atmani yat sukham, sa brahma-yoga-yuktatma sukham akshayam ashnute
Those who are not attached to external sense pleasures realize divine bliss in the self. Being united with God through meditation, they experience unending happiness.
Adveshta sarva-bhutanam maitrah karuna eva cha, nirmamo nirahankarah sama-duhkha-sukhah kshami
One who is not envious but a kind friend to all living entities, free from proprietorship and false ego, equal in happiness and distress, forgiving.
Santushṭaḥ satataṁ yogī yatātmā dṛiḍha-niśhchayaḥ, mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
Ever content, steadfast in meditation, self-controlled, and of firm resolve, with mind and intellect offered to Me—such devotees are very dear to Me.
Asakta-buddhih sarvatra jitatma vigata-sprihah, naishkarmya-siddhim paramam sannyasenadhigacchati
Those whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who have mastered the self and are free from desires, attain through renunciation the supreme state of freedom from action.
Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na shochati na kankshati, samah sarveshu bhuteshu mad-bhaktim labhate param
One who is thus transcendentally situated realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. Such a person never laments nor desires anything, is equal to all beings, and attains supreme devotion to Me.
Amanitvam adambhitvam ahimsa kshantir arjavam, acharyopasanam shaucham sthairyam atma-vinigrahah
Humility, unpretentiousness, non-violence, forgiveness, simplicity, approaching a bona fide spiritual master, cleanliness, steadiness, and self-control.
Read slowly and contemplate. Don't rush through these verses. Pick one that resonates and sit with it for a few minutes.
Return regularly. Ancient wisdom reveals itself gradually. Come back to these verses when you need them.
Apply to your situation. Consider how each teaching relates specifically to what you're experiencing right now.
Share what helps. If a verse brings you peace or clarity, share it with others who might need it.