Every one of us has experienced the pain of chasing something that slips away. It could be a person who no longer values us, an opportunity that vanished, or a dream that did not unfold as we hoped. The more we ran behind it, the more it seemed to escape. This is not just coincidence but a universal truth that the Bhagavad Gita highlighted centuries ago.

The Gita gently teaches that what is not meant for us will naturally move away, and our peace lies not in chasing it, but in letting it go. By running behind what is leaving, we only create more distance from ourselves.

The Gita’s Perspective on Desire
In the second chapter of the Gita, Krishna explains to Arjuna that desire leads to attachment, and attachment leads to suffering. When we desire something intensely, we cling to it even if it is slipping away. This chase is not born from strength but from fear of loss.

Krishna’s wisdom tells us that the chase itself is a trap. If something belongs to us, it will stay. If it runs away, it was never truly ours. The more we run behind what is leaving, the more restless and blind we become, losing clarity and peace of mind.

Chasing People: A Source of Pain One of the clearest examples of this teaching is in human relationships. How often do we chase people who no longer value us? We try to win back their attention, prove our worth, or cling to memories of what once was. But the more we chase, the more they withdraw.

The Gita’s wisdom here is sharp: love cannot be forced, nor can respect be begged. If someone walks away, let them. Running behind them only weakens your dignity. By letting go, you preserve your self-respect and open space for the right people to enter your life naturally.

Chasing Success and Opportunities
The same principle applies to success. Sometimes we chase opportunities that are not aligned with us. We hold on to jobs, deals, or goals that slip further away the harder we try. The Gita reminds us that while effort is important, obsession leads to frustration.

Krishna tells Arjuna to focus on karma, the action, without attachment to the fruits. When we chase outcomes, we suffer. But when we focus on doing our duty with sincerity, the right results come to us in their time. Chasing what runs away is a sign of misplaced energy, while aligning with dharma ensures peace.

The Illusion of Control The chase is often rooted in the illusion that we can control everything. We believe that by holding tighter, we can stop someone or something from leaving. But the Gita strips away this illusion. It reminds us that the universe operates on its own rhythm. Things and people come and go as part of a larger design.

By trying to control what is running away, we fight against the flow of life. By letting go, we align with it. This is why Krishna urges detachment: not as indifference, but as wisdom to recognize what is ours and what is not.

Inner Peace Through Letting Go The Gita is not asking us to stop caring. It is asking us to stop clinging. True peace comes when we care deeply yet remain unattached to the outcome. If something leaves, we bless it and move forward.

This does not mean passivity. It means trusting that what is meant for us will stay. Instead of chasing, we become receptive. This state of inner balance is what Krishna calls yoga — a union of effort and surrender. In this state, we no longer waste energy on what escapes, but focus on what truly belongs to our journey.

Modern Life and the Chase In today’s fast-paced world, the chase has only intensified. We chase validation on social media, promotions at work, or relationships that no longer nurture us. The irony is that the harder we chase, the emptier we feel.

The Gita’s teaching is a balm for this restlessness. It asks us to pause and reflect: Are we chasing because it is right, or because we are afraid of letting go? Often, the answer reveals that our energy is better spent on acceptance than on pursuit.

Why Letting Go Brings Strength
Letting go is not weakness; it is strength. It takes courage to stop chasing, to step back, and to trust the flow of life. It takes wisdom to know that what runs from you is not part of your destiny.

Ravana in the Ramayana chased Sita, and his downfall was sealed. Arjuna, guided by Krishna, learned to let go of his doubts and desires, and he rose to victory. The choice is always before us: chase what runs away, or let go and grow stronger. The Gita makes it clear that the latter leads to liberation.

Lessons for Us The Gita’s message is timeless. If someone walks away, let them. If an opportunity slips, accept it. If a dream collapses, start again without regret. Chasing will only exhaust you. Letting go will free you.

This does not mean we should stop striving. It means striving without attachment. It means working hard but not becoming slaves to outcomes. It means respecting ourselves enough not to beg for what is leaving. In this lies true dignity, strength, and peace.


The Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom, “do not chase what runs from you,” is not just philosophy but a practical truth. Life becomes lighter when we stop clinging and start trusting. What is meant for us will stay. What leaves was never ours.

By not chasing what runs away, we save our energy, preserve our dignity, and align ourselves with the flow of life. In doing so, we discover the greatest strength of all: the ability to let go with peace in the heart.

Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!