Chapter 18 · 78 verses
मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः
Mokṣa-sannyāsa-yogaḥ
- 18.1संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्।Arjuna said, "O mighty-armed Hrishikesa, I desire to know the essence or truth of renunciation and…
- 18.2काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः।The Blessed Lord said, "The sages understand sannyasa to be the renunciation of action with desire; the wise…
- 18.3त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः।Some philosophers declare that actions should be abandoned as evil; while others declare that acts of…
- 18.4निश्चयं श्रृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम।Hear from Me the conclusion or the final truth about this abandonment, O best of the Bharatas; abandonment,…
- 18.5यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्।Acts of sacrifice, gift, and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; for sacrifice, gift,…
- 18.6एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च।But even these actions should be performed, leaving aside attachment and the desire for rewards, O Arjuna;…
- 18.7नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते।Verily, the renunciation of obligatory action is not proper; the abandonment of the same out of delusion is…
- 18.8दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्।He who abandons action out of fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of…
- 18.9कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन।Whatever obligatory action is done, O Arjuna, merely because it ought to be done, abandoning attachment and…
- 18.10न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते।The man of renunciation, pervaded by purity, intelligent, and with his doubts cut asunder, does not hate an…
- 18.11न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः।Indeed, it is not possible for an embodied being to completely abandon actions; however, he who relinquishes…
- 18.12अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम्।The threefold fruit of action (evil, good, and mixed) accrues after death to those who do not abandon it, but…
- 18.13पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे।Learn from Me, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these five causes, as declared in the Sankhya system, for the…
- 18.14अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम्।The body, the doer, the various senses, the different functions of various kinds, and the presiding deity—the…
- 18.15शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः।Whatever action a person performs with their body, speech, and mind, whether right or wrong, these five are…
- 18.16तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः।Now, such being the case, verily he who, owing to an untrained understanding, looks upon his Self, which is…
- 18.17यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते।He who is free from the egoistic notion, whose intelligence is not tainted by good or evil, though he slays…
- 18.18ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना।Knowledge, the knowable, and the knower form the threefold impulse for action; the organ, the action, and the…
- 18.19ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः।Knowledge, action, and actor are declared in the science of the Gunas (Sankhya philosophy) to be of three…
- 18.20सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते।That by which one sees the indestructible Reality in all beings, not separate in any of them—know that…
- 18.21पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्।But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of distinct kinds as being distinct from one…
- 18.22यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम्।But that which clings to one single effect as if it were the whole, without reason, without any foundation in…
- 18.23नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।An action that is ordained, free from attachment, done without love or hatred, and without desire for reward…
- 18.24यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः।But that action which is done by one longing for the fulfillment of desires or gain with egotism or with much…
- 18.25अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम्।That action which is undertaken from delusion, without regard for the consequences, loss, injury, and one's…
- 18.26मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः।An agent who is free from attachment, non-egoistic, endowed with firmness and enthusiasm, and unaffected by…
- 18.27रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः।Passionate, desiring to obtain the reward of their actions, greedy, cruel, impure, moved by joy and sorrow,…
- 18.28अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः।Unsteady, vulgar, inflexible, deceitful, malicious, lazy, despondent, and procrastinating—such an agent is…
- 18.29बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं श्रृणु।Hear thou the threefold division of intellect and firmness, according to the Gunas, as I declare them fully…
- 18.30प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये।The intellect which knows the path of work and renunciation, what should be done and what should not be done,…
- 18.31यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च।That by which one wrongly understands dharma and adharma, and also what ought to be done and what ought not…
- 18.32अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसाऽऽवृता।That intellect, O Arjuna, which is enveloped in darkness and sees Adharma as Dharma and all things perverted,…
- 18.33धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः।The unwavering firmness, through which Yoga restrains the functions of the mind, life-force, and senses—that…
- 18.34यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन।But that, O Arjuna, by which one holds fast to Dharma (duty), enjoyment of pleasures, and earning of wealth,…
- 18.35यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च।That firmness, O Arjuna, by which a stupid man does not abandon sleep, fear, grief, despair, and conceit, is…
- 18.36सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं श्रृणु मे भरतर्षभ।And now, O Arjuna, hear from Me of the threefold pleasure, in which one rejoices through practice and surely…
- 18.37यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम्।That which is like poison at first but in the end like nectar—that happiness is declared to be sattvic, born…
- 18.38विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम्।That happiness which arises from the contact of the senses with the objects, which is initially like nectar…
- 18.39यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः।That happiness which at first, as well as in the end, deludes the self, and which arises from sleep,…
- 18.40न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः।There is no being on earth or in heaven among the gods that is liberated from the three qualities born of…
- 18.41ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परंतप।Of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras, O Arjuna, the duties are distributed according to the…
- 18.42शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च।Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, and uprightness, as well as knowledge, realization,…
- 18.43शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम्।Prowess, splendor, firmness, dexterity, and not fleeing from battle, generosity, and lordliness are the…
- 18.44कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम्।Agriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade are the duties of the Vaisya (merchant), born of their own nature; and…
- 18.45स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः।Each person devoted to their own duty attains perfection. How they attain perfection while being engaged in…
- 18.46यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम्।He from whom all the beings have evolved and by whom all this is pervaded, worshipping Him with his own duty,…
- 18.47श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।Better is one's own duty, even if it is destitute of merits, than the duty of another well performed. He who…
- 18.48सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्।One should not, O Arjuna, abandon the duty to which one is born, though it may be faulty; for, all…
- 18.49असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः।He whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who has subdued his self, from whom desire has fled, he attains…
- 18.50सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे।Learn from Me, O Arjuna, in brief how one who has attained perfection reaches Brahman—the Eternal, that…
- 18.51बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्याऽऽत्मानं नियम्य च।Endowed with a pure intellect, controlling the self through firmness, relinquishing sound and other objects…
- 18.52विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः।Dwelling in solitude, eating sparingly, with speech, body, and mind subdued, always engaged in meditation and…
- 18.53अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम्।Having abandoned egoism, strength, arrogance, desire, anger, and covetousness, and being free from the notion…
- 18.54ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति।Becoming Brahman, serene in the Self, he neither grieves nor desires; he is the same to all beings, and…
- 18.55भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः।By devotion, he knows Me in truth, who and what I am; then, having known Me in truth, he immediately enters…
- 18.56सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः।Having taken refuge in Me and doing all actions, by My grace he obtains the eternal, indestructible state of…
- 18.57चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः।Mentally renouncing all actions in Me, having Me as the highest goal, and resorting to the yoga of…
- 18.58मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि।Fixing your mind on Me, you shall, by My grace, overcome all obstacles; but if you will not hear Me due to…
- 18.59यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे।If, filled with egoism, thou thinkest, "I will not fight," then thy resolve is vain; nature will compel thee.
- 18.60स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा।O Arjuna, bound by your own Karma (action) born of your own nature, that which from delusion you wish not to…
- 18.61ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति।The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, causing all beings, by His illusory power, to revolve…
- 18.62तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत।Fly to Him for refuge with all your being, O Arjuna; by His grace you will obtain supreme peace and the…
- 18.63इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया।Thus, wisdom more secret than secrecy itself has been declared to you by me. Reflect on it fully, then act as…
- 18.64सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः श्रृणु मे परमं वचः।Hear again My supreme word, most secret of all; for you are dearly beloved of Me, I will tell you what is…
- 18.65मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु।Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, sacrifice to Me, bow down to Me. You will come to Me; I truly promise…
- 18.66सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।Abandon all duties and take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate you from all sins; do not grieve.
- 18.67इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन।Never speak this to one who is devoid of austerities or devotion, who does not render service, who does not…
- 18.68य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति।He who, with supreme devotion to Me, teaches this supreme secret to My devotees, shall undoubtedly come to Me.
- 18.69न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्िचन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः।There is no one among men who does service dearer to Me, nor shall there be anyone on earth dearer to Me than…
- 18.70अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः।And he who studies this sacred dialogue of ours, by him I shall have been worshipped through the sacrifice of…
- 18.71श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च श्रृणुयादपि यो नरः।Also, the man who hears this, full of faith and free from malice, shall attain to the happy worlds of those…
- 18.72कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा।Has this been heard, O Arjuna, with one-pointed focus? Has the delusion of your ignorance been destroyed, O…
- 18.73नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत।Arjuna said, "My delusion has been destroyed, for I have gained my knowledge (memory) through Your grace, O…
- 18.74इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः।Sanjaya said, Thus, I have heard this wonderful dialogue between Krishna and the high-souled Arjuna, which…
- 18.75व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम्।Through the grace of Vyasa, I have heard this supreme and most secret Yoga, directly from Krishna, the Lord…
- 18.76राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम्।O King, remembering this wonderful and holy dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, I continually rejoice.
- 18.77तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः।And, remembering again and again that most wonderful form of Hari, I am filled with great wonder, O King; and…
- 18.78यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः।Wherever Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, is; and wherever Arjuna, the wielder of the bow, is; there is prosperity,…