bhagavad-gitagitakrishnamoksha-sannyasa-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 18.56 — Sarva-karmany Api Sada Kurvano

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १८.५६ — सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 In the morning before beginning the day's work, or during karma yoga practice·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 56

Also known as: sarva karmany api sada kurvano · mat prasadad avapnoti shashvatam padam · bhagavad gita 18.56 · gita 18 56 · action with refuge in the lord · padam avyayam

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This verse beautifully harmonises action with devotion. Krishna teaches that one may remain fully engaged in all worldly activities and yet, by taking complete refuge in Him, attain the eternal, imperishable abode through His grace. It assures the devotee that spiritual liberation does not require renouncing action, but rather performing it while resting in the Lord — a cornerstone of karma yoga combined with surrender.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 56 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the eighteenth chapter, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, as Krishna concludes His teaching on action and devotion, He assures Arjuna that one need not abandon activity to attain the highest goal. Performing all actions while taking refuge in the Lord, the devotee reaches the eternal, imperishable abode by His grace.

✦ As told in scripture

The karma yoga tradition cherishes this verse as the promise that no honest work is an obstacle to God; for the Lord assures that whoever takes refuge in Him, while doing all their duties, is carried by His grace to the eternal, undying abode.

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The Mantra

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सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः।मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम्॥

sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśhrayaḥ mat-prasādād avāpnoti śhāśhvataṁ padam avyayam

Meaning:Even while performing all actions at all times, one who takes full refuge in Me attains, by My grace, the eternal and imperishable abode.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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सर्वकर्माणि🔊sarva-karmāṇiall actions; all kinds of work

अपि🔊apithough; even

सदा🔊sadāalways

कुर्वाणः🔊kurvāṇaḥperforming; engaged in doing

मद्व्यपाश्रयः🔊mad-vyapāśhrayaḥtaking full refuge in Me

मत्प्रसादात्🔊mat-prasādātby My grace

अवाप्नोति🔊avāpnotiattains; obtains

शाश्वतम्🔊śhāśhvatamthe eternal

पदम्🔊padamabode; state

अव्ययम्🔊avyayamimperishable; indestructible

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 18.56 — Sarva-karmany Api Sada Kurvano

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Teaches that liberation is possible while remaining active in the world

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Unites selfless action (karma yoga) with refuge in the Lord

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Assures the devotee of the eternal, imperishable abode by grace

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Relieves the worry that worldly duties hinder spiritual progress

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Encourages doing all work while resting the heart in God

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A reassuring verse for householders and active seekers

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 18.56 — Sarva-karmany Api Sada Kurvano

Repetitions11times

Best TimeIn the morning before beginning the day's work, or during karma yoga practice

Chant this verse as you begin your daily duties, dedicating all your actions to the Lord and taking refuge in Him. As you recite, hold the assurance that you can remain fully engaged in the world while your heart rests in God, and that His grace leads to the eternal abode. Let it transform ordinary work into a path of devotion and liberation.

Frequently Asked Questions

It teaches that one who takes full refuge in the Lord can remain engaged in all actions at all times and still attain, by the Lord's grace, the eternal and imperishable abode. Liberation does not require abandoning action, only taking refuge in God.

'Mad-vyapashrayah' means 'taking full refuge in Me'. Krishna teaches that the secret is not to renounce all activity but to perform every action while completely depending on and surrendering to the Lord.

By performing all duties while taking refuge in the Lord and dedicating the results to Him. The verse assures that even a fully active life, lived in devotion and surrender, leads by God's grace to the eternal abode — making liberation accessible to all.

It is a key statement of karma yoga combined with bhakti. It shows that selfless action performed with refuge in the Lord is itself a path to liberation, harmonising worldly engagement with the highest spiritual goal.