Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 18 Moksha Sannyasa Yogah

Moksha Sannyasa Yogah - Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, I wish to know the true nature of renunciation and of relinquishment, O slayer of Keshi, distinctly.

अर्जुन उवाच सन्न्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् |
त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ||1||

Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, I wish to know the true nature of renunciation and of relinquishment, O slayer of Keshi, distinctly.

Sannyāsa: Renunciation of actions.
Tyāga: Relinquishment of action fruits.
Keśiniṣūdana: Slayer of the demon Keshi.
Hṛṣīkeśa: Master of the senses.

Arjuna's inquiry reveals his continued confusion about seemingly contradictory paths. Having received extensive wisdom, he still seeks clarity on the distinction between renunciation and relinquishment—a subtle but crucial differentiation that will lead to the climax of Krishna's teachings.

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Moksha Sannyasa Yogah - The Blessed Lord said: Sages understand renunciation to be the giving up of desire-prompted actions; the wise declare the abandonment of the fruits of all actions as relinquishment.

श्रीभगवानुवाच काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं सन्न्यासं कवयो विदु: |
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणा: ||2||

The Blessed Lord said: Sages understand renunciation to be the giving up of desire-prompted actions; the wise declare the abandonment of the fruits of all actions as relinquishment.

Kāmya: Desire-prompted actions.
Kavayo: The learned sages.
Vicakṣaṇāḥ: Those with clear vision.
Phalatyāga: Abandonment of fruits.

Krishna begins by distinguishing between complete abandonment of action and the abandonment of fruits. This distinction addresses the common misconception that spirituality requires withdrawal from worldly activities, setting the foundation for the Gita's unique perspective on engaged detachment.

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Moksha Sannyasa Yogah - Some learned ones declare that all action is evil and should be relinquished, while others say that acts of sacrifice, charity and penance should not be given up.

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिण: |
यज्ञदानतप:कर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ||3||

Some learned ones declare that all action is evil and should be relinquished, while others say that acts of sacrifice, charity and penance should not be given up.

Doṣavat: Defective or faulty.
Manīṣiṇaḥ: Intelligent thinkers.
Tapas: Austerity or penance.
Apare: Others (different opinion).

Here Krishna presents differing philosophical positions without immediately declaring one superior, acknowledging the authentic diversity of spiritual traditions. This approach shows respect for various paths while preparing to synthesize them into a comprehensive understanding.

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Moksha Sannyasa Yogah - Hear from Me the conclusion regarding relinquishment, O best of the Bharatas. Relinquishment has been declared to be of three kinds, O tiger among men.

निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम |
त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविध: सम्प्रकीर्तित: ||4||

Hear from Me the conclusion regarding relinquishment, O best of the Bharatas. Relinquishment has been declared to be of three kinds, O tiger among men.

Bharatasattama: Best of the Bharatas.
Puruṣavyāghra: Tiger among men.
Samprakīrtita: Fully declared or described.
Trividha: Of three types.

Krishna now transitions from presenting diverse viewpoints to offering a definitive perspective. By addressing Arjuna as "tiger among men," he subtly reinforces Arjuna's warrior nature while preparing to explain how relinquishment manifests through the three gunas.

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Moksha Sannyasa Yogah - Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance should not be abandoned, but should be performed. Sacrifice, charity and penance are purifiers of the wise.

यज्ञदानतप:कर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् |
यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ||5||

Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance should not be abandoned, but should be performed. Sacrifice, charity and penance are purifiers of the wise.

Pāvanāni: Purifying elements.
Kāryam: Should be performed.
Eva: Indeed or certainly.
Manīṣiṇām: For the wise.

The emphasis on not abandoning sacrificial acts connects back to earlier teachings about yajna. Krishna elevates these activities beyond mere rituals, positioning them as purifying forces that transform the practitioner while benefiting society—the perfect integration of spiritual and social responsibility.

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Moksha Sannyasa Yogah - But even these actions should be performed giving up attachment and the desire for rewards. This, O Partha, is My decided and best conviction.

एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च |
कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ||6||

But even these actions should be performed giving up attachment and the desire for rewards. This, O Partha, is My decided and best conviction.

Saṅgam: Attachment to actions.
Phalāni: Fruits or results.
Matam: Opinion or doctrine.
Uttamam: Highest or best.

This verse reveals the Gita's middle path between extreme asceticism and worldly attachment. The instruction to perform actions without attachment to results establishes the foundation for karma yoga, where action becomes a form of spiritual practice rather than bondage.

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Moksha Sannyasa Yogah - Verily, renunciation of obligatory action is not proper. Abandonment through delusion is declared to be of the nature of tamas.

नियतस्य तु सन्न्यास: कर्मणो नोपपद्यते |
मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामस: परिकीर्तित: ||7||

Verily, renunciation of obligatory action is not proper. Abandonment through delusion is declared to be of the nature of tamas.

Niyatasya: Of obligatory duty.
Nopapadyate: Is not proper.
Mohāt: Out of delusion.
Tāmasaḥ: Of darkness quality.

Krishna directly challenges the notion that abandoning prescribed duties is spiritual. By connecting improper renunciation to tamas (ignorance), he establishes an important hierarchy of action, where how and why one acts becomes more important than whether one acts.

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