Bhagavad Gita 18.11 is Chapter 18, Verse 11, in Moksha Sanyasa Yoga (Liberation). Below are the Sanskrit text, a transliteration, a plain-English translation and an explanation.
na hi deha-bhṛtā śakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇy aśeṣataḥ yas tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate
"It is indeed impossible for an embodied being to abandon actions entirely. But one who relinquishes the fruits of action is called a true renouncer."
What This Means:
As long as you have a body, you cannot stop all action completely - you must breathe, eat, move. The real renouncer is one who gives up attachment to results, not actions themselves.
Going Deeper:
This is Krishna's practical resolution of the sannyasa-tyaga question. Physical renunciation of all action is impossible for embodied beings (deha-bhrita). Even monks must eat and breathe. True renunciation (tyaga) is internal - releasing the fruits. This makes liberation accessible to everyone, not just forest-dwelling ascetics.
How To Apply This:
Stop trying to escape action and start transforming your relationship with outcomes. You can be a renouncer while fully engaged in life's activities.
Key Sanskrit Terms: