Bhagavad Gita 2.50

Sankhya Yoga · English Translation

Endowed with wisdom (evenness of mind), one casts off in this life both good and evil deeds; therefore, devote thyself to Yoga; Yoga is skill in action.

Sanskrit

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते | तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ||२-५०||

Transliteration

buddhiyukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛtaduṣkṛte . tasmādyogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam ||2-50||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna that a person who acts with a steady and wise mind transcends the results of both good and bad actions during their lifetime. Instead of being trapped by the cycle of reward for virtue or punishment for mistakes, such a person remains free from attachment to outcomes. Therefore, Krishna urges one to dedicate themselves fully to Yoga, defining true skill in action as performing duties with this same detached wisdom.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse is a cornerstone of Karma Yoga (the yoga of selfless action) integrated with Sankhya philosophy. It develops the concept that true wisdom involves transcending the dualities of 'good' and 'evil' results (sukrta-dushkrte), which bind ordinary beings to the cycle of karma, allowing one to act as a neutral instrument of divine will.

Word by Word

बुद्धियुक्तः endowed with wisdom, जहाति casts off, इह in this life, उभे both, सुकृतदुष्कृते good and evil deeds, तस्मात् therefore, योगाय to Yoga, युज्यस्व devote thyself, योगः Yoga, कर्मसु in actions, कौशलम् skill

Classical Commentary

Work performed with motive towards fruits only can bind a man. It will bring the fruits and the performer of the action will have to take birth again in this mortal world to enjoy them. If work is performed with evennes of mind (the Yoga of wisdom, i.e., united to pure Buddhi, intelligence or reason) with the mind resting in the Lord, it will not bind him it will not bring any fruit it is no work at all. Actions which are of a binding nature lose that nature when performed with eanimity of mind, or poised reason. The Yogi of poised reason attributes all actions to the Divine Actor within (Isvara or God).

Where This Happens

This verse appears in Chapter 2, known as Sankhya Yoga, where Krishna is speaking to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra amidst a massive army. Just moments before this exchange, Arjuna had collapsed into despair, refusing to fight his own relatives and teachers due to overwhelming grief and attachment. Having just explained that the soul is eternal and indestructible, Krishna now pivots from philosophical theory to practical application, teaching Arjuna how to act without being paralyzed by fear or desire for specific results.

Living It Out Today

Consider a professional who has been working on a critical project for months but is anxious about whether they will get the promotion attached to it. By practicing 'buddhi-yukta' (wisdom of action), this person pours their full energy and skill into executing every task perfectly without obsessing over the outcome or fearing failure. This mindset allows them to perform at a higher level, reducing stress and anxiety while ensuring that whether they get promoted or not, they remain satisfied with their own integrity and effort.

Explained for Children

Imagine you are playing a game where your focus is on doing your best move rather than worrying about whether the scoreboard says 'win' or 'lose'. If you get too excited when winning or sad when losing, you might make mistakes. Krishna tells us that being really smart means focusing only on how well we play right now, not the score at the end. When we do this, our actions become perfect, and we stay happy no matter what happens in the game of life.

Daily Reflection

You often carry the weight of past mistakes or cling tightly to recent successes, believing these define your future. Today, Arjuna reminds you that true wisdom allows you to release both the burdens of bad deeds and the pride in good ones before they can bind you again. This freedom is not about becoming indifferent, but about acting with a steady heart so your work itself becomes an offering rather than a transaction for reward.

A Practice for Today

Begin by acknowledging that every action you take, whether perceived as good or bad, creates a ripple of reaction within your mind. Visualize placing these reactions into the vast sky of your inner wisdom, allowing them to dissolve without attaching to them. Rest in this space of evenness where the doer and the deed are seen clearly yet without entanglement.

Key Teachings

The Transcendence of Duality
Wisdom enables the practitioner to stand above the dualities of merit and demerit, seeing them as transient fluctuations in consciousness. By refusing to identify with either outcome, one breaks the cycle that perpetuates bondage through reaction.
Yoga as Skillful Action
The verse redefines Yoga not merely as physical postures but as supreme competence and equanimity in performing any duty. This skill lies in acting without being swayed by the fear of failure or the intoxication of success.
Freedom Through Detachment
Casting off both good and evil deeds means transcending the karmic reactions that usually trap us in samsara. This detachment is the prerequisite for achieving liberation while still living an active life in the world.

Themes

detachment from resultsskill in actionsteady wisdomtranscending dualityKarma Yogamental equilibrium

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 4.18 18.66 6.5

Read This Next

2.47 — Read this next to understand the foundational instruction on performing duty without attachment to the fruits of action.
3.30 — Continue with this verse which elaborates on offering all actions to the Divine as a method for cleansing the mind.
12.15 — Conclude your study by reading how Krishna describes the qualities of those who have transcended duality and are dear to Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'cast off' both good and evil deeds?

It means performing actions without attachment to their results, whether the outcome is favorable (good) or unfavorable (evil). When one acts with wisdom, they do not accumulate new karmic bonds because they are no longer driven by personal desire for reward or fear of punishment.

Is 'Yoga' in this verse referring to physical postures?

You can focus entirely on the quality of your effort rather than obsessing over whether you will get praised (good) or criticized (evil). By detaching yourself from the emotional highs and lows associated with results, you maintain a steady mind that allows for better decision-making and less stress.

Why does Krishna say one should devote themselves to Yoga?

Krishna advises this because acting without wisdom leads to being bound by the cycle of karma (good deeds leading to future births, bad deeds to suffering). Devoting oneself to Yoga ensures that every action becomes a means for liberation and spiritual growth rather than further entanglement in worldly anxieties.

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