Chapter 18, Verse 12 (also 12.12)

श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते । ध्यानात्कर्मफलत्यागस्त्यागाच्छान्तिरनन्तरम् ॥

Translation

Knowledge is better than mere practice, meditation is better than knowledge, and letting go of the fruits of action is better still — peace follows close behind that letting go.

Explanation

The verse traces a path where each step is genuinely valuable, not just a lesser stand-in for the next one — practice matters, knowledge matters more, meditation more still, and release of outcome most of all. It's a reminder not to dismiss an earlier stage just because a later one exists.

Reflect

Which stage of this path — practice, knowledge, meditation, or letting go of outcome — are you currently working through?

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