Offering — Lesson 14
Mentally offering all actions (Gita 18.57)
Verse
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः ।
बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ॥ १८.५७ ॥
बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ॥ १८.५७ ॥
Transliteration
cetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ
buddhi-yogam upāśritya mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava
Meaning
With the mind, offer all actions to the higher, stay aligned, and act with clear understanding. Keep the mind steadily connected.
Key Words
- cetasā — with the mind
- sannyasya — offering, handing over
- buddhi-yoga — clear understanding
- mat-paraḥ — aligned with the highest
Teaching
Krishna now refines offering further. It is not only about what we do. It is about how we hold it mentally. Even before action begins, the attitude is set. “This is not mine. This is offered.” With this clarity, the mind remains light throughout the action.
Connection to Offering
Offering begins in the mind. If the mind is aligned, action becomes naturally aligned. This ensures that offering is continuous, not occasional.
Reflection
Before I begin an action, what is my mental attitude? Can I consciously offer it before I start?