Bhagavad Gita BG 18.56
Chapter 18, Verse 56 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः । मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ॥
sarva-karmany api sada kurvano mad-vyapashrayah mat-prasadad avapnoti shashvatam padam avyayam
Meaning
Even while always performing all actions, one who has taken refuge in Me attains, by My grace, the eternal, imperishable abode.
Understanding
The grace-path: sarva-karmany api sada kurvano (even while always performing all actions — not withdrawing from activity). Mad-vyapashrayah (having taken refuge in Me — vyapashraya, complete shelter in Krishna). Mat-prasadat (by My grace — the emphasis on prasada, grace, is crucial: the attainment is by divine grace, not human effort alone). Avapnoti shashvatam padam avyayam (attains the eternal, imperishable state/abode). The teaching: complete refuge in Krishna (not withdrawing from action, but offering all action to Him) enables grace-bestowed entry into the eternal state. This is the karma yoga + bhakti synthesis: act fully, take refuge in Krishna, receive His prasada.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| मद्व्यपाश्रयः | mad-vyapashrayah | having taken refuge in Me, sheltered in Me completely (vyapashraya = complete shelter) |
| मत्प्रसादात् | mat-prasadat | by My grace, through My gracious gift (prasada = grace) |
| शाश्वतम् | shashvatam | eternal, perpetual, everlasting |
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | imperishable, inexhaustible, without decay |
| सर्व-कर्माणि | sarva-karmaṇi api | all actions also |
| सदा | sadā | always |
| कुर्वाणः | kurvāṇaḥ | performing |
| मत्-व्यपाश्रयः | mat-vyapāśrayaḥ | taking shelter of Me |
| मत्-प्रसादात् | mat-prasādāt | by My grace |
| अवाप्नोति | avāpnoti | attains |
| शाश्वतम् | śāśvatam | eternal |
| पदम् | padam | abode |