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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.5618.58

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.57

Perform duty in surrender to Krishna

चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि सन्न्यस्य मत्पर: ।

बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्च‍ित्त: सततं भव ॥ ५७ ॥

cetasā sarva-karmāṇi

mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ

buddhi-yogam upāśritya

mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava

Translation

In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Work Under Kṛṣṇa’s Direction

  1. 1Depend on Kṛṣṇa in all activities, work under His protection, and remain fully conscious of Him.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that a devotee serves only to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, following His teachings and the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master.
  3. 3Follow Kṛṣṇa’s directions in your duties; do not act on a whim and then offer Him the results.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 18, The Perfection of Renunciation: perform duty in surrender to krishna.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.57 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 18 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.56Perform duty in surrender to KrishnaBG 18.58Perform duty in surrender to KrishnaBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 18.57 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.