2.48 — Care for the action, release the claim

Sanskrit · Teaching film · Everyday practice

Speaker: Krishna, addressing Arjuna.

The shloka

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय ।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ॥ ४८ ॥

Brief meaning

Krishna asks Arjuna to act established in yoga, releasing attachment and remaining even in success and failure. Such evenness is here called yoga.

In the conversation

The familiar teaching holds two directions together: release possessiveness toward results, and do not become attached to avoiding action. Evenness is not indifference to quality. Arjuna is asked to act, with disciplined attention, while letting go of the demand that outcomes must obey his wishes.

Everyday reflection

Think of preparing for an important examination. You can organise your study, ask questions, practise and rest. You cannot dictate every question or guarantee a particular result. After the exam, look honestly at what happened and improve your method where needed. Releasing a claim to the result does not mean abandoning preparation or feedback. It means that your next worthwhile action need not wait for certainty. What part of today’s work is yours to do carefully?

Consider today: Work carefully through success or disappointment.