Recovery and renewal
When you've given too much and have nothing left. Learn sustainable work practices and true rest.
Yuktahara-viharasya yukta-cestasya karmasu, yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha
For one who is moderate in eating, recreation, working, sleeping, and waking, yoga destroys all sorrows.
Yoga-sthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya, siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga ucyate
Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah
You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.
Yuktah karma-phalam tyaktva shantim apnoti naishthikim, ayuktah kama-karena phale sakto nibadhyate
The steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated peace by renouncing the fruits of action, whereas the unsteady soul is bound by desire for rewards.
Saha-jam karma kaunteya sa-dosham api na tyajet, sarvarambha hi dosena dhumenagnir ivavritah
One should not abandon one's natural work, even if it has some fault, O Arjuna. Indeed, all undertakings are enveloped by some fault, as fire is by smoke.
Karmany evadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana, ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango 'stv akarmani
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
Shreyo hi jnanam abhyasaj jnanad dhyanam vishishyate, dhyanat karma-phala-tyagas tyagac chantir anantaram
If you cannot practice knowledge, then devote yourself to meditation. Better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for peace immediately follows such renunciation.
Shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya, atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet
Gradually, step by step, with the intellect endowed with steadiness, one should bring the mind to stillness, and think of nothing else.
Adveshta sarva-bhutanam maitrah karuna eva cha, nirmamo nirahankarah sama-duhkha-sukhah kshami
One who is not envious but a kind friend to all living entities, free from proprietorship and false ego, equal in happiness and distress, forgiving.
Santushṭaḥ satataṁ yogī yatātmā dṛiḍha-niśhchayaḥ, mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
Ever content, steadfast in meditation, self-controlled, and of firm resolve, with mind and intellect offered to Me—such devotees are very dear to Me.
Asakta-buddhih sarvatra jitatma vigata-sprihah, naishkarmya-siddhim paramam sannyasenadhigacchati
Those whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who have mastered the self and are free from desires, attain through renunciation the supreme state of freedom from action.
Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na shochati na kankshati, samah sarveshu bhuteshu mad-bhaktim labhate param
One who is thus transcendentally situated realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. Such a person never laments nor desires anything, is equal to all beings, and attains supreme devotion to Me.
Bahya-sparseshv asaktatma vindaty atmani yat sukham, sa brahma-yoga-yuktatma sukham akshayam ashnute
Those who are not attached to external sense pleasures realize divine bliss in the self. Being united with God through meditation, they experience unending happiness.
Yatroparamate chittam niruddham yoga-sevaya, yatra chaivatmanatmanam pashyann atmani tushyati
When the mind, restrained by the practice of yoga, attains quietude, and when beholding the self by the self, one is satisfied in the self.
Read slowly and contemplate. Don't rush through these verses. Pick one that resonates and sit with it for a few minutes.
Return regularly. Ancient wisdom reveals itself gradually. Come back to these verses when you need them.
Apply to your situation. Consider how each teaching relates specifically to what you're experiencing right now.
Share what helps. If a verse brings you peace or clarity, share it with others who might need it.