Bhagavad Gita 18.12 · Krishna
Pleasant, painful, mixed
अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम्।
भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित्॥
aniṣṭamiṣṭaṃ miśraṃ ca trividhaṃ karmaṇaḥ phalambhavatyatyāgināṃ pretya na tu saṃnyāsināṃ kvacit
Painful, pleasant or mixed, the threefold fruit of action comes after death to those who cling, but never to those who let go.
Words
- karma
What it means
Krishna explains how karma binds. Actions produce three kinds of fruit, painful, pleasant and mixed. For those who cling to results, these fruits follow them, even beyond death. But for those who have truly let go, the fruits don't stick. They act fully and remain free.
The story
Arjuna fears carrying the karma of war forever. Krishna offers a way out. Act without clinging, and the fruits won't bind you.
In your life
Imagine a surgeon who gives her best, accepts that not every patient survives, and grieves without guilt. Do your best today, then let go of the worry about the outcome.
Let go, and the fruits won't bind you.