Lines from the Bhagavad Gita, and notes from Braj and the workshop. Krishna grew up in Braj; the Gita is his voice, and Barsana lives in its shadow.
These are the verses that have shaped how we work — rendered simply, with a line on what each one means to us. The Sanskrit is the original; the English is our own plain reading, not a scholar's translation.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Your right is to the work alone, never to its fruits. Do not let the fruit be your reason for acting, and do not lean towards not acting at all.
Bhagavad Gita 2.47
Cut the fabric well, stitch it well, and let the rest go. This is the verse on the workshop wall.
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥
Do your work steadily, letting go of attachment, the same in success and failure. That evenness is called yoga.
Bhagavad Gita 2.48
A good day and a slow day at the shop deserve the same attention.
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः।
लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा॥
One who acts as an offering, without clinging, is untouched — like a lotus leaf resting on water.
Bhagavad Gita 5.10
The lotus in our mark comes from this line. Water everywhere, and the leaf stays dry.
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः॥
A leaf, a flower, a fruit, a little water — whatever is offered with devotion by a pure heart, I accept.
Bhagavad Gita 9.26
The size of a gift was never the point. The care in it was.
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे।
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्॥
A gift given simply because it should be given, to one who cannot repay it, at the right place and time and to the right person — that is a pure gift.
Bhagavad Gita 17.20
For anyone choosing gifts for a team or a wedding: give without keeping score.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा॥
Balanced in eating and rest, balanced in effort, balanced in sleep and waking — such a life dissolves sorrow.
Bhagavad Gita 6.17
Moderation as a way of living. Fewer things, chosen well, used often.
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
Lift yourself by your own effort; do not let yourself sink. You are your own friend, and your own enemy.
Bhagavad Gita 6.5
Nobody else will start the thing you keep noticing. Vishakha's reminder to herself.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च।
निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
Without hatred for any being, friendly and compassionate, free of possessiveness and pride, even in joy and sorrow, forgiving.
Bhagavad Gita 12.13
A description of the people we hope to work with, and to become.
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥
Heat and cold, pleasure and pain come and go; they are passing. Bear them with patience.
Bhagavad Gita 2.14
Seasons change, trends change. Make things that don't need to.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥
Better your own path, however imperfect, than another's path done perfectly.
Bhagavad Gita 3.35
Why we make cotton bags in a small workshop rather than something bigger and faster.
Longer pieces — places, craft, and the people behind the bags.
