Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18, verse 11 · Krishna

Bhagavad Gita 18.11 · Na Hi Dehabhrita

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः ।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ॥

na hi dehabhṛtā śakyaṃ tyaktuṃ karmāṇyaśeṣataḥ |
yastu karmaphalatyāgī sa tyāgītyabhidhīyate ||

Translation

It is impossible for an embodied being to give up actions entirely. But one who relinquishes the fruits of action is called a true relinquisher.

Context

Spoken by Krishna in chapter 18, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga — “Liberation through Renunciation”, which has 78 verses.

Frequently asked questions

What does Bhagavad Gita 18.11 mean?

It is impossible for an embodied being to give up actions entirely. But one who relinquishes the fruits of action is called a true relinquisher.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.11?

Krishna, speaking to Arjuna, in chapter 18, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation through Renunciation).

Sanskrit text: traditional, public domain. Translation and explanation are our own.