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Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

Gita GPS: Chapter 18, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, gathers the whole teaching into renunciation, right action, devotion, surrender, and the freedom that comes from living with Krishna as the highest refuge.

  • Shlokas 1-12: Krishna explains tyaga, renunciation, and what should or should not be given up.
  • Shlokas 13-18: Krishna describes the causes of action according to Sankhya.
  • Shlokas 19-40: Krishna classifies knowledge, action, doer, reason, firmness, and joy according to the three gunas.
  • Shlokas 41-48: Krishna explains duties and the fruit of performing one’s own work.
  • Shlokas 49-55: Krishna describes the path of knowledge and the state of inner freedom.
  • Shlokas 56-66: Krishna unites selfless action, devotion, refuge, and surrender.
  • Shlokas 67-78: The Gita closes by describing the glory of this teaching.
V1| V2| V3| V4| V5| V6| V7| V8| V9| V10| V11| V12

Shlokas 1-12

The subject of Tyaga or Relinquishment.

Reflective Prompt:How do you view the difference between renunciation (Sannyasa) and relinquishing the fruits of action (Tyaga)?

  • ▪Option 1:Giving up desire-driven tasks entirely to focus only on spiritual growth (Sannyasa).
  • ▪Option 2:Performing all daily duties but mentally letting go of personal expectations and results (Tyaga).
  • ▪Option 3:Thinking they are the same and that both require running away from social duties.

Verse 01

अर्जुन उवाच

। संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् | | त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन | | १८-१ | |

arjuna uvācha saṁnyāsasya mahābāho tattvamichchhāmi veditum tyāgasya cha hṛiṣhīkeśha pṛithakkeśhiniṣhūdana

Word-by-word guide:
Line 0:
  • अर्जुन(arjuna) — अर्जुन(Arjuna)
  • उवाच(uvacha) — कहा(said)
Line 1:
  • sannjoined in saṁnyāsasya
  • यः(yah) — जो(who)
  • asjoined in saṁnyāsasya
  • यः(yah) — जो(who)
  • महाबाहो(mahābāho) — हे महाबाहु(O mighty-armed Arjuna)
  • तत्त्वम्(tattvam) — तत्त्व(the truth)
  • इच्छामि(ichchhami) — मैं चाहता हूं(I wish)
  • वेदितुम्(veditum) — जानना(to know)
Line 2:
  • त्यागस्य(tyagasya) — त्याग का(of letting go)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • हृषीकेश(Hrishikesha) — हे हृषीकेश(Krishna (Lord of the senses))
  • पृथक्(prithak) — अलग-अलग(separately)
  • केशिनिषूदन(keshi-nishudana) — हे केशी दैत्य के संहारक(O slayer of the Keshi demon)

English:Arjuna said: Krishna, I want to understand the difference between renunciation and letting go.

💡Commentary Note

Arjuna desires to know the true nature and distinction of Sannyasa (renunciation of actions) and Tyaga (relinquishment of the fruits of action).

Learnings from Shloka 1:
  • Inquiry into Truth:: Clarifying key spiritual concepts like renunciation is essential for proper practice.
  • Renunciation vs. Relinquishment:: Both concepts deal with letting go, but they target different aspects of action.

Verse 02

श्रीभगवानुवाच

। काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः | | सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः | | १८-२ | |

śhrī bhagavān uvācha kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ saṁnyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ sarvakarmaphalatyāgaṁ prāhustyāgaṁ vichakṣhaṇāḥ

Word-by-word guide:
Line 0:
  • श्री(shri) — श्री(honorific)
  • भगवान्(bhagavan) — भगवान(the Blessed Lord)
  • उवाच(uvacha) — कहा(said)
Line 1:
  • काम्यानाम्(kāmyānām) — कामना-प्रेरित(of desire-driven)
  • कर्मणाम्(karmaṇām) — कर्मों का(of actions)
  • न्यासम्(nyāsam) — त्याग(giving up/renunciation)
  • संन्यासम्(sannyāsam) — संन्यास(renunciation)
  • कवयः(kavayah) — ज्ञानी(the wise/poets)
  • विदुः(viduḥ) — जानते हैं(know)
Line 2:
  • सर्वकर्मफलत्यागम्(sarva-karma-phala-tyāgam) — सभी कर्मफलों का त्याग(giving up the fruits of all actions)
  • प्राहुः(prāhuḥ) — कहते हैं(call)
  • त्यागम्(tyāgam) — त्याग(letting go)
  • विचक्षणाः(vichakṣhaṇāḥ) — विवेकी(the learned/experts)

English:Krishna said: Some say renunciation means giving up desire-driven actions. Wise people say true letting go means giving up attachment to results.

💡Commentary Note

The wise understand Sannyasa as the renunciation of desire-motivated actions, and Tyaga as the abandonment of the fruits of all actions.

Learnings from Shloka 2:
  • Desireless Action:: Renunciation (Sannyasa) targets the motive behind actions, eliminating selfish desires.
  • Relinquishing Fruits:: Tyaga allows one to perform duties while remaining detached from the personal outcomes.

Verse 03

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः । | यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे | | १८-३ | |

tyājyaṁ doṣhavadityeke karma prāhurmanīṣhiṇaḥ yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyamiti chāpare

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • त्याज्यम्(tyājyam) — त्यागने योग्य(should not be given up)
  • दोषवत्(doṣha-vat) — दोषयुक्त(as an evil/defective)
  • इति(iti) — ऐसा(thus)
  • एके(eke) — कुछ(some)
  • कर्म(karma) — कर्म(action)
  • प्राहुः(prāhuḥ) — कहते हैं(say)
  • मनीषिणः(manīṣhiṇaḥ) — मनीषी(philosophers/thinkers)
Line 2:
  • यज्ञदानतपःकर्म(yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma) — यज्ञ, दान और तप के कर्म(acts of worship, charity, and discipline)
  • न(na) — त्यागना नहीं चाहिए(should not be given up)
  • त्याज्यम्(tyājyam) — त्यागने योग्य(should not be given up)
  • इति(iti) — ऐसा(thus)
  • cjoined in chāpare
  • अपरे(apare) — दूसरे(others)

English:Some philosophers say that all action is evil and should be given up. Others that acts of worship, benevolence and discipline should not be given up.

💡Commentary Note

Sages hold differing views: some declare that all actions should be abandoned as flawed, while others assert that sacrifice, charity, and penance must be performed.

Learnings from Shloka 3:
  • Differing Philosophies:: Spiritual paths vary on whether active duty or complete withdrawal is the highest path.
  • Noble Deeds:: Acts that purify the mind and serve the world should generally be preserved.

Verse 04

निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम । | त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः सम्प्रकीर्तितः | | १८-४ | |

niśhchayaṁ śhṛiṇu me tatra tyāge bharatasattama tyāgo hi puruṣhavyāghra trividhaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • निश्चयम्(niśhchayam) — निश्चय(certainty/conclusion)
  • शृणु(śhṛiṇu) — सुनो(hear)
  • मे(me) — मेरा(from Me)
  • तत्र(tatra) — वहीं(in that)
  • त्यागे(tyāge) — त्याग में(in letting go)
  • भरतसत्तम(Bharata-sattama) — हे भरतश्रेष्ठ(O best of the Bharatas)
Line 2:
  • त्यागः(tyāgah) — त्याग(letting go)
  • हि(hi) — निश्चय ही(indeed)
  • पुरुषव्याघ्र(puruṣha-vyāghra) — हे पुरुषश्रेष्ठ(O tiger among men (Arjuna))
  • त्रिविधः(tri-vidhaḥ) — तीन प्रकार का(three kinds)
  • सम्प्रकीर्तितः(samprakīrtitaḥ) — कहा गया(is declared)

English:Listen to My clear answer: letting go can be understood in three ways.

💡Commentary Note

Krishna offers His definitive judgment on Tyaga (relinquishment), stating that it has been declared to be threefold.

Learnings from Shloka 4:
  • Divine Guidance:: Seeking clear guidance resolves intellectual confusion regarding spiritual duties.
  • Threefold Division:: Like all else in nature, relinquishment is colored by the three gunas.

Verse 05

यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् । | यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् | | १८-५ | |

yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṁ kāryameva tat yajño dānaṁ tapaśhchaiva pāvanāni manīṣhiṇām

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • यज्ञदानतपःकर्म(yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma) — यज्ञ, दान और तप के कर्म(worship, charity, and discipline)
  • न(na) — त्यागना नहीं चाहिए(should not be given up)
  • त्याज्यम्(tyājyam) — त्यागने योग्य(should not be given up)
  • कार्यम्(kāryam) — करना चाहिए(must be performed)
  • एव(eva) — ही(indeed)
  • तत्(tat) — वह(that)
Line 2:
  • यज्ञः(yajñaḥ) — यज्ञ(worship)
  • दानम्(dānam) — दान(charity)
  • तपः(tapah) — तप(discipline)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • ivajoined in tapaśhchaiva
  • पावनानि(pāvanāni) — पवित्र करने वाले(purifying)
  • मनीषिणाम्(manīṣhiṇām) — मनीषियों के(of the wise seekers)

English:Worship, charity, and discipline should not be given up, because they help purify the seeker.

💡Commentary Note

Krishna firmly states that acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance must not be abandoned, as they serve as purifiers for the wise.

Learnings from Shloka 5:
  • Essential Actions:: Sacrifice, charity, and discipline are non-negotiable tools for spiritual purification.
  • Purifying the Mind:: Noble actions help dissolve ego and prepare the mind for higher realization.

Verse 06

एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च । | कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् | | १८-६ | |

etānyapi tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni cha kartavyānīti me pārtha niśhchitaṁ matamuttamam

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • एतानि(etāni) — ये(these)
  • अपि(api) — भी(also)
  • तु(tu) — परंतु(but)
  • कर्माणि(karmāṇi) — कर्म(actions)
  • सङ्गम्(saṅgam) — आसक्ति(attachment)
  • यव(tyaktvā) — यव(having given up)
  • फलइ(phalāni) — फल(fruits)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
Line 2:
  • कतयइ(kartavyāni) — कतयइ(should be performed)
  • tijoined in kartavyānīti
  • मे(me) — मेरा(My)
  • पार्थ(Partha) — हे पार्थ(Arjuna)
  • इइत(niśhchitam) — इइत(certain)
  • मतम्(matam) — मत(belief/opinion)
  • उत्तमम्(uttamam) — सर्वोत्तम(supreme/best)

English:But these actions should be done without attachment and without craving a reward. This is My clear view.

💡Commentary Note

Even these purifying actions of sacrifice, charity, and penance must be performed without attachment and expectation of results.

Learnings from Shloka 6:
  • Detached Execution:: Perform even noble, spiritual deeds as a duty rather than a source of pride or personal reward.
  • Supreme Conviction:: Detachment is the core principle of Gyan and Yoga.

Verse 07

नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते । | मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः | | १८-७ | |

niyatasya tu saṁnyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate mohāttasya parityāgastāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • नियतस्य(niyatasya) — नियत कर्म का(of obligatory)
  • तु(tu) — परंतु(but)
  • संन्यासः(saṁnyāsaḥ) — संन्यास(renunciation)
  • कर्मणः(karmaṇah) — कर्म का(of action)
  • nopjoined in nopapadyate
  • अपि(api) — भी(also)
  • adjoined in nopapadyate
  • यत्(yat) — जो कि(that which)
  • ejoined in nopapadyate
Line 2:
  • मोहात्(mohāt) — मोह से(due to delusion)
  • तस्य(tasya) — उसके लिए(of that)
  • परित्यागः(parityāgah) — त्याग(giving up)
  • तामसः(tāmasah) — तामसिक(in the nature of ignorance)
  • परिकीर्तितः(parikīrtitah) — कहा गया(is declared)

English:It is not right to give up actions which are obligatory; and if they are misunderstood, it is the result of sheer lack of understanding.

💡Commentary Note

Relinquishing one's obligatory duties is incorrect. Abandoning them due to delusion or ignorance is classified as Tamasik.

Learnings from Shloka 7:
  • Obligatory Duties:: Running away from responsibilities does not lead to spiritual progress.
  • Tamasik Escape:: Avoid using spirituality as an excuse to avoid work out of laziness or confusion.

Verse 08

दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् । | स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् | | १८-८ | |

duḥkhamityeva yatkarma kāyakleśhabhayāttyajet sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāgaphalaṁ labhet

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • दुःखम्(duḥkham) — दुःख(painful/difficult)
  • इति(iti) — ऐसा(thus)
  • एव(eva) — ही(indeed)
  • यत्(yat) — जिसे(which)
  • कर्म(karma) — कर्म(action)
  • कायक्लेशभयात्(kāya-kleśha-bhayāt) — शरीर कष्ट के भय से(out of fear of physical strain/pain)
  • त्यजेत्(tyajet) — त्यागना चाहिए(gives up)
Line 2:
  • सः(sah) — वह(he)
  • कृत्वा(kṛitvā) — करके(performing)
  • राजसम्(rājasam) — राजसिक(passionate)
  • त्यागम्(tyāgam) — त्याग(letting go)
  • न(na) — नहीं(not)
  • ivajoined in naiva
  • यग-फल(tyāga-phalam) — त्याग(the fruit of letting go)
  • लभेत्(labhet) — प्राप्त करता है(obtains)

English:To avoid an action through fear of physical suffering, because it is likely to be painful, is to act from strong desire, and the benefit of letting go will not follow.

💡Commentary Note

Shun duty because it is physically difficult or painful is Rajasik. Such relinquishment does not bring the spiritual fruits of detachment.

Learnings from Shloka 8:
  • Fear of Discomfort:: True growth requires facing difficulties rather than seeking constant ease.
  • Empty Renunciation:: Giving up duties just to avoid pain is self-serving and spiritually ineffective.

Verse 09

कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन । | सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः | | १८-९ | |

kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṁ kriyate’rjuna saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalaṁ chaiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • कार्यम्(kāryam) — करना चाहिए(ought to be done)
  • इति(iti) — ऐसा(thus)
  • एव(eva) — ही(also)
  • यत्(yat) — जिसे(which)
  • कर्म(karma) — कर्म(action)
  • नियतम्(niyatam) — नियत(obligatory)
  • क्रियते(kriyate) — किया जाता है(is performed)
  • अर्जुन(Arjuna) — अर्जुन बोले(Arjuna)
Line 2:
  • सङ्गम्(saṅgam) — आसक्ति(attachment)
  • यव(tyaktvā) — यव(having given up)
  • फलम्(phalam) — फल(fruit)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • ivajoined in chaiva
  • सः(sah) — वह(that)
  • त्यागः(tyāgah) — त्याग(letting go)
  • सात्त्विकः(sāttvikah) — सात्त्विक(pure)
  • मताः(mataḥ) — माने गए(is considered)

English:He who performs an obligatory action, because he believes it to be a duty which ought to be done, without any personal want to do the act or to receive any return - such letting go is Pure.

💡Commentary Note

Performing obligatory duty out of a sense of right, while letting go of attachment and results, is Sattvik relinquishment.

Learnings from Shloka 9:
  • Sattvik Duty:: Perform duties with the attitude 'it must be done,' focusing on the quality of work.
  • Genuine Relinquishment:: Letting go of the ego's grip on the results is the highest form of renunciation.

Verse 10

न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते । | त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः | | १८-१० | |

na dveṣhṭyakuśhalaṁ karma kuśhale nānuṣhajjate tyāgī sattvasamāviṣhṭo medhāvī chhinnasaṁśhayaḥ

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • न(na) — नहीं(not)
  • द्वेष्टि(dveṣhṭi) — द्वेष नहीं करता(does not hate)
  • अकुशलम्(akuśhalam) — अप्रिय(unpleasant)
  • कर्म(karma) — कर्म(action)
  • कुशले(kuśhale) — प्रिय में(in pleasant)
  • njoined in nānuṣhajjate
  • अउशजए(anuṣhajjate) — अउशजए(is attached)
Line 2:
  • त्यागी(tyāgī) — त्यागी(one who lets go)
  • सत्त्वसमाविष्टः(sattva-samāviṣhṭah) — सत्त्व से युक्त(filled with clarity)
  • मेधावी(medhāvī) — बुद्धिमान(wise/intelligent)
  • छिन्नसंशयः(chhinna-saṁśhayah) — संशय रहित(free from all doubts)

English:Wise people man who has attained purity, whose doubts are solved, who is filled with the spirit of self-abnegation, does not shrink from action because it brings pain, nor does he want it because it brings pleasure.

💡Commentary Note

A Sattvik relinquisher is steady, intelligent, and free from doubt; they do not avoid unpleasant tasks nor cling to pleasant ones.

Learnings from Shloka 10:
  • Equanimity in Duty:: Approach all necessary tasks with equal focus, regardless of personal likes or dislikes.
  • Mental Clarity:: Freedom from doubt allows for decisive and peaceful action in all situations.

Verse 11

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः । | यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते | | १८-११ | |

na hi dehabhṛitā śhakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇyaśheṣhataḥ yastu karmaphalatyāgī sa tyāgītyabhidhīyate

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • न(na) — नहीं(not)
  • हि(hi) — निश्चय ही(indeed)
  • एह-इत(deha-bhṛitā) — एह-इत(by an embodied being)
  • शक्यम्(śhakyam) — संभव(is possible)
  • यउ(tyaktum) — यउ(to give up)
  • कर्माणि(karmāṇi) — कर्म(actions)
  • अएशत(aśheṣhataḥ) — अएशत(entirely)
Line 2:
  • यः(yah) — जो(who)
  • तु(tu) — परंतु(but)
  • कम-फल-यइ(karma-phala-tyāgī) — कर्म(one who gives up the fruits of action)
  • सः(sah) — वह(he)
  • त्यागी(tyāgī) — त्यागी(one who has let go)
  • tyjoined in tyāgītyabhidhīyate
  • अभिधियते(abhidhīyate) — कहा गया(is called)

English:But since those still in the body cannot entirely avoid action, in their case giving up of the result of action is considered as complete letting go.

💡Commentary Note

As long as one has a physical body, complete inaction is impossible. Therefore, the one who gives up the fruits of action is the true Tyagi.

Learnings from Shloka 11:
  • Inherent Activity:: Life requires continuous physical and mental action; absolute stillness is not physical.
  • Real Renunciation:: True renunciation is internal—letting go of the fruit while active in the world.

Reflective Prompt:When you succeed in a task, how does your ego usually distribute the credit?

  • ▪Option 1:I assume I am the sole author of the success, ignoring other factors (Delusion).
  • ▪Option 2:I credit my efforts and talent but ignore the role of environment and destiny (Restless pride).
  • ▪Option 3:I recognize that my body, tools, efforts, and cosmic grace all played their parts (Wisdom).

Verse 12

अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम् । | भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित् | | १८-१२ | |

aniṣhṭamiṣhṭaṁ miśhraṁ cha trividhaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam bhavatyatyāgināṁ pretya na tu saṁnyāsināṁ kvachit Learnings from Shlokas 1-12: Causes of Karma according to the Sankhya system.

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • अनिष्टम्(aniṣhṭam) — अनिष्ट(undesirable (evil))
  • इष्टम्(iṣhṭam) — इष्ट(desirable (good))
  • मिश्रम्(miśhram) — मिश्रित(mixed)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • त्रिविधम्(tri-vidham) — तीन प्रकार का(threefold)
  • कर्मणः(karmaṇah) — कर्म का(of action)
  • फलम्(phalam) — फल(fruit)
Line 2:
  • भवति(bhavati) — बन जाता है(accrues)
  • अत्यागिनाम्(atyāginām) — त्याग न करने वालों को(to those who do not let go)
  • प्रेत्य(pretya) — मरने के बाद(after death)
  • न(na) — नहीं(but not)
  • तु(tu) — परंतु(but not)
  • संन्यासिनाम्(saṁnyāsinām) — संन्यासियों को(to those who renounce)
  • क्वचित्(kvachit) — कभी(ever)
Line 3:
  • learningsjoined in Learnings
  • fromjoined in from
  • slojoined in Shlokas
  • कः(kah) — कौन(who)
Line 4:
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • usesjoined in Causes
  • ofjoined in of
  • कः(kah) — कौन(who)
  • माम्(mam) — मुझको(Me)
  • accordingjoined in according
  • tojoined in to
  • tejoined in the
  • sankjoined in Sankhya
  • यः(yah) — जो(who)
  • syjoined in system
  • अस्ति(asti) — है(is)
  • emjoined in system

English:For those who cannot renounce all want, the result of action hereafter is threefold - good, evil, and partly good and partly evil. But for him who has renounced, there is none.

💡Commentary Note

Those who perform actions with desire face threefold karmic fruits after death, whereas those who act selflessly are free from karmic bondage.

### Shlokas 13-18 **Causes of Karma according to the Sankhya system.**

Learnings from Shloka 12:
  • Renunciation vs. Letting Go:: True renunciation (sannyasa) means giving up selfish, desire-driven actions. True letting go (tyaga) is performing your duties but completely surrendering the desire for personal rewards.
  • Do Not Give Up Good Actions:: Actions that uplift and purify us, like worship, charity, and discipline (tapas), should never be abandoned.
  • The Three Kinds of Letting Go::
  • Sattvik (Pure):: Obligatory work done simply because it is a duty, without attachment or craving for results.
  • Rajasik (Passionate):: Giving up action out of fear of physical strain or pain.
  • Tamasik (Ignorant):: Giving up duty out of confusion, laziness, or misunderstanding.
  • Complete Renunciation is Mental:: Since embodied beings cannot fully stop physical action, he who gives up the fruits of his work is the true renouncer.