Trust in divine timing
Results come in their own time. Learn to work steadily without demanding immediate outcomes.
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.
Shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya, atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet
Gradually, step by step, with the intellect endowed with steadiness, one should bring the mind to stillness, and think of nothing else.
Sa nishchayena yoktavyo yogo 'nirvinna-cetasa, sankalpa-prabhavan kamams tyaktva sarvan asheshatah, manasaivendriya-gramam viniyamya samantatah
Yoga should be practiced with firm determination and without despondency; desires born of imagination should be completely abandoned and the multitude of senses restrained on all sides by the mind alone. Firm determination — not wavering or discouragement — is the attitude required for the long journey of meditation.
Tam vidyad duhkha-samyoga-viyogam yoga-samjnitam, sa nishchayena yoktavyo yogo 'nirviinna-chetasa
The state of freedom from all miseries is known as yoga. This yoga should be practiced with determination and an undepressed mind.
Tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samachara, asakto hy acharan karma param apnoti purushah
Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform action which is duty, for by performing action without attachment, one attains the Supreme.
Saha-jam karma kaunteya sa-dosham api na tyajet, sarvarambha hi dosena dhumenagnir ivavritah
One should not abandon one's natural work, even if it has some fault, O Arjuna. Indeed, all undertakings are enveloped by some fault, as fire is by smoke.
Na hi jnanena sadrisham pavitram iha vidyate, tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah kalenatmani vindati
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. One who has become accomplished in yoga finds it within their own self in due course of time.
Asanshayam maha-baho mano durnigraham calam, abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena ca grhyate
The mind is restless and difficult to restrain, but it is subdued by practice and detachment.
Shreyo hi jnanam abhyasaj jnanad dhyanam vishishyate, dhyanat karma-phala-tyagas tyagac chantir anantaram
If you cannot practice knowledge, then devote yourself to meditation. Better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for peace immediately follows such renunciation.
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.
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah
You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.
karyam ity eva yat karma niyatam kriyate 'rjuna sangam tyaktva phalam caiva sa tyagah sattviko matah
When obligatory action is performed simply because it ought to be done, with attachment and desire for results abandoned, that renunciation is considered sattvic. This is the highest form of tyaga and the one Krishna recommends.
na dvesty akusalam karma kusale nanusajjate tyagi sattva-samavisto medhavi chinna-samsayah
The sattvic renunciant, filled with goodness and free from doubt, neither hates disagreeable action nor clings to agreeable action. Such a wise person has cut through all doubts and acts with equanimity in all situations.
Yato yato nishcharati manash chanchalam asthiram, tatas tato niyamyaitad atmany eva vasham nayet
Whenever and wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one should bring it back to focus on the self.
mukta-sango 'naham-vadi dhrityutsaha-samanvitah siddhy-asiddhyor nirvikarah karta sattvika ucyate
The doer who is free from attachment, free from the language of ego, filled with steadiness and enthusiasm, and unaffected by success or failure is called a sattvic doer. This is the portrait of the ideal karma yogi.
Nehabhikrama-nasho 'sti pratyavayo na vidyate, svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat
In this path, no effort is wasted and no loss is suffered. Even a little progress on this path protects one from the most fearful danger.
Karmanaiva hi samsiddhim asthita janakadayah, loka-sangraham evapi sampashyan kartum arhasi
Even kings like Janaka attained perfection through action alone. You should act, also considering the welfare of the world. Great leaders demonstrate that dedicated, selfless action leads to perfection.
Tyaktva karma-phalasangam nitya-tripto nirasrayah, karmany abhipravrittoapi naiva kimcit karoti sah
Having abandoned all attachment to the fruits of action, always content and without any dependence, such a person, even while engaged in action, does not do anything at all.
Kama-krodha-vimuktanam yatinam yata-cetasam, abhito brahma-nirvanam vartate vidithatmanam
For the ascetics who are free from desire and anger, who have controlled their minds, and who have realized the Self — Brahman-nirvana is close on all sides. Freedom from desire and anger is the gateway to the omnipresent peace of Brahman.
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.