Devotion must become action, detachment, and non-hatred.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः |निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव ||११-५५||
matkarmakṛnmatparamo madbhaktaḥ saṅgavarjitaḥ . nirvairaḥ sarvabhūteṣu yaḥ sa māmeti pāṇḍava ||11-55||
Use this verse as Chapter 11 completion practice.
Meaning
One who works for Me, regards Me as supreme, is devoted to Me, free from attachment, and without hatred toward any being, comes to Me, O Pandava.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Krishna gives the practical formula for reaching Him.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
Chapter 11 ends with a complete devotional action plan: work for Krishna, make Him supreme, love Him, release attachment, and keep no hatred toward any being.
Read the traditional commentary
The chapter closes with a verse that many call the very essence of the entire Gita. Krishna distils the whole teaching into five marks of the one who attains Him: mat-karma-krt, who works for the Lord; mat-paramah, who holds Him as the supreme goal; mad-bhaktah, who is devoted to Him; sanga-varjitah, free from selfish attachment; and nirvairah sarva-bhutesu, bearing enmity toward no living being.
These five together form a complete spiritual life. Action becomes worship, the heart finds its highest aim, devotion grows, attachment loosens its grip, and the soul lives in friendship with all creation. Such a one, Krishna promises, sa mam eti — 'comes to Me'.
After the overwhelming vision of cosmic power, the path home proves astonishingly accessible. It is not reserved for the few who can withstand the terrible form, but open to anyone who works selflessly, loves the Divine, releases attachment, and hates no one. In this gentle, practical summary, the soaring chapter lands gently on the ground of daily life.
In daily life
Serve Krishna through work and remove hatred from the heart.
A professional can offer work to Krishna and avoid resentment toward competitors.
Try this today
Offer one work action to Krishna and release one resentment.
I work for Krishna and hold hatred toward none.Reflect
Is my devotion visible in work and relationships?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘मत्कर्मकृत्’ mean in this verse?
Krishna on karma yoga, in other chapters
- Verse 3.19Do what must be done, fully and without clinging to results — selfless action itself can lead you to the highest realization.
- Verse 5.2Acting selflessly in the world is a surer path to freedom than withdrawing from action with a mind still full of cravings.
- Verse 4.14It is not action that binds us but craving for its fruits; act fully while letting go of the outcome, and you stay free.
- Verse 6.1Do your duty wholeheartedly while letting go of attachment to its results — that, not withdrawal from work, is real renunciation.
Swipe left for 12.1 · Spiritual paths need clarity for practice.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 11.55
Who says Bhagavad Gita 11.55, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 11.55, in Chapter 11, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 11.55 mean?
One who works for Me, regards Me as supreme, is devoted to Me, free from attachment, and without hatred toward any being, comes to Me, O Pandava. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 11.55 for daily life?
Serve Krishna through work and remove hatred from the heart. A professional can offer work to Krishna and avoid resentment toward competitors.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 11.55 mean?
मत्कर्मकृत् — one who does all work for Me; मत्परमः — who holds Me as the supreme goal; मद्भक्तः — who is devoted to Me; सङ्गवर्जितः — free from attachment; निर्वैरः — without enmity.
Where does verse 11.55 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 55 of 55 in Chapter 11, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga. It closes the chapter; Chapter 12 begins with verse 12.1.