Bhagavad Gita BG 12.11
Chapter 12, Verse 11 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः । सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं ततः कुरु यतात्मवान् ॥
ath'aitad apy ashakto 'si kartum mad-yogam ashritah sarva-karma-phala-tyagam tatah kuru yatatmavan
Meaning
But if you are also incapable of this — then, taking refuge in My yoga, renounce the fruits of all actions with self-control.
Understanding
The lowest but still valid entry point: sarva-karma-phala-tyaga (renouncing the fruits of all actions). Mad-yogam ashritah (taking refuge in My yoga). Yatatmavan (with self-control). Even if one cannot fix the mind (v8) or practice consistently (v9) or worship with the mind fixed on God in action (v10) — one can still renounce the fruits. This is the minimum practice that begins the path. Any one of these is a legitimate entrance. The teaching is radically inclusive: begin wherever you are. The path has a door for every level.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| एतद् | etad | this (referring to the previous levels of practice) |
| अशक्तः | ashaktah | incapable, unable |
| सर्वकर्मफलत्यागम् | sarva-karma-phala-tyagam | renouncing the fruits of all actions |
| यतात्मवान् | yatatmavan | with self-control, with mastery of the self |
| अथ | atha | if |
| एतत् | etat | this |
| अपि | api | even |
| असमर्थः | asamarthaḥ | unable |
| असि | asi | you are |
| कर्तुम् | kartum | to do |
| मत्-योग-आश्रितः | mat-yoga-āśritaḥ | taking refuge in My yoga |
| ततः | tataḥ | then |
| कुरु | kuru | do, perform |
| यत्-आत्मवान् | yat-ātmavān | being self-controlled |
| सर्व-कर्म-फल-त्यागम् | sarva-karma-phala-tyāgam | the renunciation of the fruits of all actions |