Chapter 18

Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

The eighteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is "Moksha Sanyas Yoga". Arjuna requests the Lord to explain the difference between the two types of renunciations - sanyaas(renunciation of actions) and tyaag(renunciation of desires). Krishna explains that a sanyaasi is one who abandons family and society in order to practise spiritual discipline whereas a tyaagi is one who performs their duties without attachment to the rewards of their actions and dedicating them to the God. Krishna recommends the second kind of renunciation - tyaag. Krishna then gives a detailed analysis of the effects of the three modes of material nature. He declares that the highest path of spirituality is pure, unconditional loving service unto the Supreme Divine Personality, Krishna. If we always remember Him, keep chanting His name and dedicate all our actions unto Him, take refuge in Him and make Him our Supreme goal, then by His grace, we will surely overcome all obstacles and difficulties and be freed from this cycle of birth and death.

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Shloks in this chapter

78 shloks

Verse 01

Verse 18.1

अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्। त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन।।18.1।।

Arjuna said, "I desire to know the truth about renunciation and abnegation separately, O Krishna."

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Verse 02

Verse 18.2

श्री भगवानुवाच काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः। सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः।।18.2।।

The Lord said, "The sages hold that Sannyasa is the giving up of all works motivated by desire, and the wise declare Tyaga to be the abandonment of the fruits of all works.

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Verse 03

Verse 18.3

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः। यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे।।18.3।।

Some sages say that all actions should be abandoned as evil; others declare that works such as sacrifices, gifts, and austerities should not be abandoned.

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Verse 04

Verse 18.4

निश्चयं श्रृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम।त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः संप्रकीर्तितः।।18.4।।

Listen to My decision, O Arjuna, concerning abandonment; for abandonment is declared to be of three kinds.

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Verse 05

Verse 18.5

यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्।यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम्।।18.5।।

(a) The acts of sacrifice, gifts, and austerities should not be relinquished; but should be performed... (b) ...For sacrifices, gifts, and austerities are the means of purification for the wise.

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Verse 06

Verse 18.6

एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च।कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्िचतं मतमुत्तमम्।।18.6।।

It is My decided and final view that even these acts should be done, O Arjuna, with relinquishment of attachment and the forsaking of the fruits thereof.

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