Gita 18.57
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः | बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ||५७||
cetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ | buddhi-yogam upāśritya mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava ||57||
In essence: Surrender all actions to Me mentally, hold Me as supreme, take shelter in buddhi-yoga, and keep your mind fixed on Me always.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Four instructions in one verse! How can anyone maintain all of these simultaneously?"
Guru: "They're not four separate tasks but four aspects of one orientation. When Krishna is truly supreme for you (mat-parah), actions naturally get offered (sannyasya), intelligence aligns (buddhi-yoga), and mind gravitates toward Him (mac-chittah). Start with making Krishna supreme; the rest follows."
Sadhak: "What is 'buddhi-yoga' exactly? How is it different from jnana yoga?"
Guru: "Buddhi-yoga is applying intelligence in the service of devotion. It's not dry analysis but discernment that supports surrender. 'This passing pleasure isn't worth chasing—Krishna is.' 'This worry is groundless—I trust His grace.' Jnana yoga may seem abstract; buddhi-yoga is wisdom applied moment to moment."
Sadhak: "'Mac-chittah satatam'—mind on Krishna constantly? That seems impossible while working, talking, living."
Guru: "It's like background music while you work—you're engaged in tasks, but the music continues. Or like a lover who never forgets the beloved even while doing other things. Constant absorption doesn't mean thinking about Krishna in every thought but maintaining underlying awareness. The current of remembrance continues beneath the waves of activity."
Sadhak: "'Sannyasya'—surrender. But I still experience being the doer. Am I supposed to pretend I'm not doing?"
Guru: "Not pretend but recognize. You experience being the doer, but reflection shows: the body's capacities aren't your creation, circumstances aren't your design, results aren't your control. Acknowledging this naturally surrenders. 'I do what I can; everything else is Yours.' That's sannyasa—not denying involvement but releasing ownership."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Set the day's foundation with conscious dedication: 'Today's actions are surrendered to You before they begin. You are my supreme goal. Let my intelligence serve devotion. May my consciousness return to You throughout this day.'
Use 'buddhi-yoga' moments: when decisions arise, ask 'What would deepen my surrender?' When priorities conflict, ask 'What serves my supreme goal?' When the mind scatters, gently return it: 'mac-chittah'—mind on Krishna. These micro-practices build the constant absorption.
Assess alignment with the four aspects: 'Were today's actions offered? Did I maintain Krishna as supreme, or did other goals dominate? Did I use discrimination wisely? How often did I remember the divine presence?' Without judgment, note the gaps—tomorrow they become practice areas.