» Bhagavad Gita
18.1
arjuna uvaca
sannyasasya maha-baho
tattvam icchami veditum
tyagasya ca hrishikesha
prithak kesi-nisudana
"Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, I wish to understand the purpose of renunciation [tyaga] and of the renounced order of life [sannyasa], O killer of the Keshi demon, master of the senses."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.2
sri-bhagavan uvaca
kamyanam karmanam nyasam
sannyasam kavayo viduh
sarva-karma-phala-tyagam
prahus tyagam vicakshanah
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned men call the renounced order of life [sannyasa]. And giving up the results of all activities is what the wise call renunciation [tyaga]."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.3
tyajyam dosa-vad ity eke
karma prahur manisinah
yajna-dana-tapah-karma
na tyajyam iti capare
"Some learned men declare that all kinds of fruitive activities should be given up as faulty, yet other sages maintain that acts of sacrifice, charity and penance should never be abandoned."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.4
niscayam shrinu me tatra
tyage bharata-sattama
tyago hi purusha-vyaghra
tri-vidhah samprakirtitah
"O best of the Bharatas, now hear My judgment about renunciation. O tiger among men, renunciation is declared in the scriptures to be of three kinds."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.5
yajna-dana-tapah-karma
na tyajyam karyam eva tat
yajno danam tapas caiva
pavanani manisinam
"Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not to be given up; they must be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.6
etany api tu karmani
sangam tyaktva phalani ca
kartavyaniti me partha
niscitam matam uttamam
"All these activities should be performed without attachment or any expectation of result. They should be performed as a matter of duty, O son of Pritha. That is My final opinion."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.7
niyatasya tu sannyasah
karmano nopapadyate
mohat tasya parityagas
tamasah parikirtitah
"Prescribed duties should never be renounced. If one gives up his prescribed duties because of illusion, such renunciation is said to be in the mode of ignorance."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.8
duhkham ity eva yat karma
kaya-klesa-bhayat tyajet
sa kritva rajasam tyagam
naiva tyaga-phalam labhet
"Anyone who gives up prescribed duties as troublesome or out of fear of bodily discomfort is said to have renounced in the mode of passion. Such action never leads to the elevation of renunciation."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.9
karyam ity eva yat karma
niyatam kriyate ’rjuna
sangam tyaktva phalam caiva
sa tyagah sattviko matah
"O Arjuna, when one performs his prescribed duty only because it ought to be done, and renounces all material association and all attachment to the fruit, his renunciation is said to be in the mode of goodness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.10
na dvesty akusalam karma
kusale nanusajjate
tyagi sattva-samavisto
medhavi chinna-samsayah
"The intelligent renouncer situated in the mode of goodness, neither hateful of inauspicious work nor attached to auspicious work, has no doubts about work."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.11
na hi deha-bhrta sakyam
tyaktum karmany asesatah
yas tu karma-phala-tyagi
sa tyagity abhidhiyate
"It is indeed impossible for an embodied being to give up all activities. But he who renounces the fruits of action is called one who has truly renounced."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.12
anistam istam misram ca
tri-vidham karmanah phalam
bhavaty atyaginam pretya
na tu sannyasinam kvacit
"For one who is not renounced, the threefold fruits of action—desirable, undesirable and mixed—accrue after death. But those who are in the renounced order of life have no such result to suffer or enjoy."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.13
pancaitani maha-baho
karanani nibodha me
sankhye kritante proktani
siddhaye sarva-karmanam
"O mighty-armed Arjuna, according to the Vedanta there are five causes for the accomplishment of all action. Now learn of these from Me."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.14
adhisthanam tatha karta
karanam ca prithag-vidham
vividhas ca prithak cesta
daivam caivatra pancamam
"The place of action [the body], the performer, the various senses, the many different kinds of endeavor, and ultimately the Supersoul—these are the five factors of action."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.15
sarira-van-manobhir yat
karma prarabhate narah
nyayyam va viparitam va
pancaite tasya hetavah
"Whatever right or wrong action a man performs by body, mind or speech is caused by these five factors."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.16
tatraivam sati kartaram
atmanam kevalam tu yah
pasyaty akrita-buddhitvan
na sa pasyati durmatih
"Therefore one who thinks himself the only doer, not considering the five factors, is certainly not very intelligent and cannot see things as they are."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.17
yasya nahankrto bhavo
buddhir yasya na lipyate
hatvapi sa imaû lokan
na hanti na nibadhyate
"One who is not motivated by false ego, whose intelligence is not entangled, though he kills men in this world, does not kill. Nor is he bound by his actions."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.18
jnanam jneyam parijnata
tri-vidha karma-codana
karanam karma karteti
tri-vidhah karma-sangrahah
"Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower are the three factors that motivate action; the senses, the work and the doer are the three constituents of action."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.19
jnanam karma ca karta ca
tridhaiva guna-bhedatah
procyate guna-sankhyane
yathavac chrnu tany api
"According to the three different modes of material nature, there are three kinds of knowledge, action and performer of action. Now hear of them from Me."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.20
sarva-bhutesu yenaikam
bhavam avyayam iksate
avibhaktam vibhaktesu
taj jnanam viddhi sattvikam
"That knowledge by which one undivided spiritual nature is seen in all living entities, though they are divided into innumerable forms, you should understand to be in the mode of goodness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.21
prithaktvena tu yaj jnanam
nana-bhavan prithag-vidhan
vetti sarveshu bhutesu
taj jnanam viddhi rajasam
"That knowledge by which one sees that in every different body there is a different type of living entity you should understand to be in the mode of passion."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.22
yat tu krtsna-vad ekasmin
karye saktam ahaitukam
atattvartha-vad alpam ca
tat tamasam udahrtam
"And that knowledge by which one is attached to one kind of work as the all in all, without knowledge of the truth, and which is very meager, is said to be in the mode of darkness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.23
niyatam sanga-rahitam
araga-dvesatah kritam
aphala-prepsuna karma
yat tat sattvikam ucyate
"That action which is regulated and which is performed without attachment, without love or hatred, and without desire for fruitive results is said to be in the mode of goodness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.24
yat tu kamepsuna karma
sahankarena va punah
kriyate bahulayasam
tad rajasam udahrtam
"But action performed with great effort by one seeking to gratify his desires, and enacted from a sense of false ego, is called action in the mode of passion."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.25
anubandham ksayam himsam
anapeksya ca paurusam
mohad arabhyate karma
yat tat tamasam ucyate
"That action performed in illusion, in disregard of scriptural injunctions, and without concern for future bondage or for violence or distress caused to others is said to be in the mode of ignorance."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.26
mukta-sango ’naham-vadi
dhrty-utsaha-samanvitah
siddhy-asiddhyor nirvikarah
karta sattvika ucyate
"One who performs his duty without association with the modes of material nature, without false ego, with great determination and enthusiasm, and without wavering in success or failure is said to be a worker in the mode of goodness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.27
ragi karma-phala-prepsur
lubdho himsatmako ’sucih
harsa-sokanvitah karta
rajasah parikirtitah
"The worker who is attached to work and the fruits of work, desiring to enjoy those fruits, and who is greedy, always envious, impure, and moved by joy and sorrow, is said to be in the mode of passion."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.28
ayuktah prakritah stabdhah
satho naiskritiko ’lasah
visadi dirgha-sutri ca
karta tamasa ucyate
"The worker who is always engaged in work against the injunctions of the scripture, who is materialistic, obstinate, cheating and expert in insulting others, and who is lazy, always morose and procrastinating is said to be a worker in the mode of ignorance."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.29
buddher bhedam dhrtes caiva
gunatas tri-vidham shrinu
procyamanam asesena
prithaktvena dhananjaya
"O winner of wealth, now please listen as I tell you in detail of the different kinds of understanding and determination, according to the three modes of material nature."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.30
pravrttim ca nivrttim ca
karyakarye bhayabhaye
bandham moksham ca ya vetti
buddhih sa partha sattviki
"O son of Pritha, that understanding by which one knows what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, what is to be feared and what is not to be feared, what is binding and what is liberating, is in the mode of goodness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.31
yaya dharmam adharmam ca
karyam cakaryam eva ca
ayathavat prajanati
buddhih sa partha rajasi
"O son of Pritha, that understanding which cannot distinguish between religion and irreligion, between action that should be done and action that should not be done, is in the mode of passion."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.32
adharmam dharmam iti ya
manyate tamasavrta
sarvarthan viparitams ca
buddhih sa partha tamasi
"That understanding which considers irreligion to be religion and religion to be irreligion, under the spell of illusion and darkness, and strives always in the wrong direction, O Partha, is in the mode of ignorance."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.33
dhrtya yaya dharayate
manah-pranendriya-kriyah
yogenavyabhicarinya
dhrtih sa partha sattviki
"O son of Pritha, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and which thus controls the activities of the mind, life and senses is determination in the mode of goodness."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.34
yaya tu dharma-kamarthan
dhrtya dharayate ’rjuna
prasangena phalakanksi
dhrtih sa partha rajasi
"But that determination by which one holds fast to fruitive results in religion, economic development and sense gratification is of the nature of passion, O Arjuna."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.35
yaya svapnam bhayam sokam
visadam madam eva ca
na vimuncati durmedha
dhrtih sa partha tamasi
"And that determination which cannot go beyond dreaming, fearfulness, lamentation, moroseness and illusion—such unintelligent determination, O son of Pritha, is in the mode of darkness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.36
sukham tv idanim tri-vidham
shrinu me bharatarsabha
abhyasad ramate yatra
duhkhantam ca nigacchati
"O best of the Bharatas, now please hear from Me about the three kinds of happiness by which the conditioned soul enjoys, and by which he sometimes comes to the end of all distress."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.37
yat tad agre visam iva
pariname ’mrtopamam
tat sukham sattvikam proktam
atma-buddhi-prasada-jam
"That which in the beginning may be just like poison but at the end is just like nectar and which awakens one to self-realization is said to be happiness in the mode of goodness."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.38
visayendriya-samyogad
yat tad agre ’mrtopamam
pariname visam iva
tat sukham rajasam smrtam
"That happiness which is derived from contact of the senses with their objects and which appears like nectar at first but poison at the end is said to be of the nature of passion."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.39
yad agre canubandhe ca
sukham mohanam atmanah
nidralasya-pramadottham
tat tamasam udahrtam
"And that happiness which is blind to self-realization, which is delusion from beginning to end and which arises from sleep, laziness and illusion is said to be of the nature of ignorance."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.40
na tad
divi devesu va punah
sattvam prakriti-jair muktam
yad ebhih syat tribhir gunaih
"There is no being existing, either here or among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, which is freed from these three modes born of material nature."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.41
brahmana-kshatriya-visam
shudranam ca parantapa
karmani pravibhaktani
svabhava-prabhavair gunaih
"Brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras are distinguished by the qualities born of their own natures in accordance with the material modes, O chastiser of the enemy."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.42
samo damas tapah shaucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness—these are the natural qualities by which the brahmanas work."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.43
sauryam tejo dhrtir daksyam
yuddhe capy apalayanam
danam ishvara-bhavas ca
kshatram karma svabhava-jam
"Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the kshatriyas."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.44
krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam
vaishya-karma svabhava-jam
paricaryatmakam karma
shudrasyapi svabhava-jam
"Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaishyas, and for the shudras there is labor and service to others."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.45
sve sve karmany abhiratah
samsiddhim labhate narah
sva-karma-niratah siddhim
yatha vindati tac chrnu
"By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect. Now please hear from Me how this can be done."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.46
yatah pravrttir bhutanam
yena sarvam idam tatam
sva-karmana tam abhyarcya
siddhim vindati manavah
"By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, a man can attain perfection through performing his own work."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.47
sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah
para-dharmat sv-anusthitat
svabhava-niyatam karma
kurvan napnoti kilbisam
"It is better to engage in one’s own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another’s occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties prescribed according to one’s nature are never affected by sinful reactions."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.48
saha-jam karma kaunteya
sa-dosam api na tyajet
sarvarambha hi dosena
dhumenagnir ivavrtah
"Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore one should not give up the work born of his nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.49
asakta-buddhih sarvatra
jitatma vigata-sprhah
naishkarmya-siddhim paramam
sannyasenadhigacchati
"One who is self-controlled and unattached and who disregards all material enjoyments can obtain, by practice of renunciation, the highest perfect stage of freedom from reaction."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.50
siddhim prapto yatha brahma
tathapnoti nibodha me
samasenaiva kaunteya
nistha jnanasya ya para
"O son of Kunti, learn from Me how one who has achieved this perfection can attain to the supreme perfectional stage, Brahman, the stage of highest knowledge, by acting in the way I shall now summarize."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.51-53
buddhya vishuddhaya yukto
dhrtyatmanam niyamya ca
shabdadin visayams tyaktva
raga-dvesau vyudasya ca
vivikta-sevi laghv-asi
yata-vak-kaya-manasah
dhyana-yoga-paro nityam
vairagyam samupasritah
ahankaram balam darpam
kamam krodham parigraham
vimucya nirmamah santo
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate
"Being purified by his intelligence and controlling the mind with determination, giving up the objects of sense gratification, being freed from attachment and hatred, one who lives in a secluded place, who eats little, who controls his body, mind and power of speech, who is always in trance and who is detached, free from false ego, false strength, false pride, lust, anger, and acceptance of material things, free from false proprietorship, and peaceful—such a person is certainly elevated to the position of self-realization."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.54
brahma-bhutah prasannatma
na socati na kanksati
samah sarveshu bhutesu
mad-bhaktim labhate param
"One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.55
bhaktya mam abhijanati
yavan yas casmi tattvatah
tato mam tattvato jnatva
visate tad-anantaram
"One can understand Me as I
am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when
one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion,
he can enter into the
» Bhagavad Gita
18.56
sarva-karmany api sada
kurvano mad-vyapasrayah
mat-prasadad avapnoti
sasvatam padam avyayam
"Though engaged in all kinds of activities, My pure devotee, under My protection, reaches the eternal and imperishable abode by My grace."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.57
cetasa sarva-karmani
mayi sannyasya mat-parah
buddhi-yogam upasritya
mac-cittah satatam bhava
"In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.58
mac-cittah sarva-durgani
mat-prasadat tarisyasi
atha cet tvam ahankaran
na srosyasi vinanksyasi
"If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.59
yad ahankaram asritya
na yotsya iti manyase
mithyaisa vyavasayas te
prakritis tvam niyoksyati
"If you do not act according to My direction and do not fight, then you will be falsely directed. By your nature, you will have to be engaged in warfare."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.60
svabhava-jena kaunteya
nibaddhah svena karmana
kartum necchasi yan mohat
karishyasy avaso ’pi tat
"Under illusion you are now declining to act according to My direction. But, compelled by the work born of your own nature, you will act all the same, O son of Kunti."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.61
ishvarah sarva-bhutanam
hrd-dese ’rjuna tishthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani
yantrarudhani mayaya
"The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.62
tam eva saranam gaccha
sarva-bhavena bharata
tat-prasadat param shantim
sthanam prapsyasi sasvatam
"O scion of Bharata, surrender unto Him utterly. By His grace you will attain transcendental peace and the supreme and eternal abode."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.63
iti te jnanam akhyatam
guhyad guhyataram maya
vimrsyaitad asesena
yathecchasi tatha kuru
"Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.64
sarva-guhyatamam bhuyah
shrinu me paramam vacah
isto ’si me drdham iti
tato vaksyami te hitam
"Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.65
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me
"Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.66
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma sucah
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.67
idam te natapaskaya
nabhaktaya kadacana
na casusrusave vacyam
na ca mam yo ’bhyasuyati
"This confidential knowledge may never be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me."
» Bhagavad Gita 18.68
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param kritva
mam evaishyaty asamsayah
"For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.69
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad
anyah priyataro bhuvi
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.70
adhyesyate ca ya imam
dharmyam samvadam avayoh
jnana-yajnena tenaham
istah syam iti me matih
"And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation of ours worships Me by his intelligence."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.71
shraddhavan anasuyas ca
shrinuyad api yo narah
so ’pi muktah subhal lokan
prapnuyat punya-karmanam
"And one who listens with faith and without envy becomes free from sinful reactions and attains to the auspicious planets where the pious dwell."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.72
kaccid etac chrutam partha
tvayaikagrena cetasa
kaccid ajnana-sammohah
pranastas te dhananjaya
"O son of Pritha, O conqueror of wealth, have you heard this with an attentive mind? And are your ignorance and illusions now dispelled?"
» Bhagavad Gita
18.73
arjuna uvaca
nasto mohah smritir labdha
tvat-prasadan mayacyuta
sthito ’smi gata-sandehah
karisye vacanam tava
"Arjuna said: My dear
» Bhagavad Gita
18.74
sanjaya uvaca
ity aham vasudevasya
parthasya ca mahatmanah
samvadam imam asrausam
adbhutam roma-harsanam
"Sanjaya said: Thus have I heard the conversation of
two great souls,
» Bhagavad Gita
18.75
vyasa-prasadac chrutavan
etad guhyam aham param
yogam yogeshvarat krishnat
sakshat kathayatah svayam
"By the mercy of Vyasa, I have heard these most
confidential talks directly from the master of all mysticism,
» Bhagavad Gita 18.76
rajan samsmrtya samsmrtya
samvadam imam adbhutam
keshavarjunayoh punyam
hrsyami ca muhur muhuh
"O King, as I repeatedly recall this wondrous and holy
dialogue between
» Bhagavad Gita
18.77
tac ca samsmrtya samsmrtya
rupam aty-adbhutam hareh
vismayo me mahan rajan
hrsyami ca punah punah
"O King, as I remember the wonderful form of Lord Krishna, I am struck with wonder more and more, and I rejoice again and again."
» Bhagavad Gita
18.78
yatra yogeshvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama
"Wherever there is