Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 of 18

Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

मोक्षसंन्यासयोग — Liberation through Renunciation · 78 verses

All 78 verses

Sanskrit, transliteration and English meaning for every verse.

1. 18.1 · Arjuna

   संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् ।
   त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ॥

   saṃnyāsasya mahābāho tattvamicchāmi veditum |
   tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pṛthakkeśiniṣūdana ||

   Arjuna said: Mighty-armed one, Hrishikesha, slayer of Keshi, I wish to know the true nature of sannyasa (renunciation) and of tyaga (relinquishment), each as distinct from the other.

2. 18.2 · Krishna

   काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः ।
   सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः ॥

   kāmyānāṃ karmaṇāṃ nyāsaṃ saṃnyāsaṃ kavayo viduḥ |
   sarvakarmaphalatyāgaṃ prāhustyāgaṃ vicakṣaṇāḥ ||

   The Lord said: The sages understand sannyasa as giving up actions prompted by desire. The discerning call tyaga the relinquishing of the fruits of all actions.

3. 18.3 · Krishna

   त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः ।
   यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ॥

   tyājyaṃ doṣavadityeke karma prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ |
   yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyamiti cāpare ||

   Some thinkers say that action should be given up as inherently flawed; others say that acts of yajna (sacrifice), dana (charity) and tapas (austerity) should not be given up.

4. 18.4 · Krishna

   निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम ।
   त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः संप्रकीर्तितः ॥

   niścayaṃ śṛṇu me tatra tyāge bharatasattama |
   tyāgo hi puruṣavyāghra trividhaḥ saṃprakīrtitaḥ ||

   Hear my conclusion about relinquishment, best of the Bharatas. Relinquishment, tiger among men, is declared to be of three kinds.

5. 18.5 · Krishna

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

   yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṃ kāryameva tat |
   yajño dānaṃ tapaścaiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām ||

   Acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity should not be given up; they ought to be performed. Sacrifice, charity and austerity purify even the wise.

6. 18.6 · Krishna

   एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च ।
   कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ॥

   etānyapi tu karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalāni ca |
   kartavyānīti me pārtha niścitaṃ matamuttamam ||

   But even these actions should be done giving up attachment and the desire for their fruits. This, son of Pritha, is my settled and highest view.

7. 18.7 · Krishna

   नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते ।
   मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः ॥

   niyatasya tu saṃnyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate |
   mohāttasya parityāgastāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||

   Renouncing an obligatory action is not proper. To abandon it out of delusion is declared to be tamasic (born of dullness).

8. 18.8 · Krishna

   दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् ।
   स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् ॥

   duḥkhamityeva yatkarma kāyakleśabhayāttyajet |
   sa kṛtvā rājasaṃ tyāgaṃ naiva tyāgaphalaṃ labhet ||

   One who gives up an action merely because it is painful, out of fear of bodily strain, performs a rajasic (passion-driven) relinquishment and does not gain its fruit.

9. 18.9 · Krishna

   कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन ।
   सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः ॥

   kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṃ kriyate’rjuna |
   saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalaṃ caiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ ||

   When an obligatory action is done, Arjuna, simply because it ought to be done, with attachment and the desire for its fruit given up, that relinquishment is considered sattvic (pure).

10. 18.10 · Krishna

    न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते ।
    त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः ॥

    na dveṣṭyakuśalaṃ karma kuśale nānuṣajjate |
    tyāgī sattvasamāviṣṭo medhāvī chinnasaṃśayaḥ ||

    The wise relinquisher, filled with sattva and with doubts cut away, neither resents disagreeable work nor clings to agreeable work.

11. 18.11 · Krishna

    न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः ।
    यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ॥

    na hi dehabhṛtā śakyaṃ tyaktuṃ karmāṇyaśeṣataḥ |
    yastu karmaphalatyāgī sa tyāgītyabhidhīyate ||

    It is impossible for an embodied being to give up actions entirely. But one who relinquishes the fruits of action is called a true relinquisher.

12. 18.12 · Krishna

    अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम् ।
    भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित् ॥

    aniṣṭamiṣṭaṃ miśraṃ ca trividhaṃ karmaṇaḥ phalam |
    bhavatyatyāgināṃ pretya na tu saṃnyāsināṃ kvacit ||

    The fruit of action — unwanted, wanted and mixed — comes in three forms to those who have not relinquished, after death; but never to those who have renounced.

13. 18.13 · Krishna

    पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे ।
    सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥

    pañcaitāni mahābāho kāraṇāni nibodha me |
    sāṃkhye kṛtānte proktāni siddhaye sarvakarmaṇām ||

    Learn from me, mighty-armed one, these five causes for the accomplishment of all actions, as taught in the Sankhya doctrine that brings action to its conclusion:

14. 18.14 · Krishna

    अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् ।
    विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम् ॥

    adhiṣṭhānaṃ tathā kartā karaṇaṃ ca pṛthagvidham |
    vividhāśca pṛthakceṣṭā daivaṃ caivātra pañcamam ||

    the seat of action, the doer, the various instruments, the many distinct kinds of effort, and, fifth among them, the divine (providence).

15. 18.15 · Krishna

    शरीरवाङ्‌मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः ।
    न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः ॥

    śarīravāṅ‌manobhiryatkarma prārabhate naraḥ |
    nyāyyaṃ vā viparītaṃ vā pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ ||

    Whatever action a person undertakes with body, speech or mind, whether right or the opposite, these five are its causes.

16. 18.16 · Krishna

    तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः ।
    पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः ॥

    tatraivaṃ sati kartāramātmānaṃ kevalaṃ tu yaḥ |
    paśyatyakṛtabuddhitvānna sa paśyati durmatiḥ ||

    This being so, whoever sees the Self alone as the doer, because of an untrained understanding, does not see — that person’s mind is clouded.

17. 18.17 · Krishna

    यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते ।
    हत्वापि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते ॥

    yasya nāhaṃkṛto bhāvo buddhiryasya na lipyate |
    hatvāpi sa imām̐llokānna hanti na nibadhyate ||

    One who is free from the sense of being the doer, and whose understanding is untainted, does not truly kill even by killing all these people, nor is bound.

18. 18.18 · Krishna

    ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना ।
    करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसंग्रहः ॥

    jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ parijñātā trividhā karmacodanā |
    karaṇaṃ karma karteti trividhaḥ karmasaṃgrahaḥ ||

    Knowledge, the object of knowledge and the knower form the threefold impulse to action; the instrument, the act and the doer form the threefold basis of action.

19. 18.19 · Krishna

    ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः ।
    प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥

    jñānaṃ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇabhedataḥ |
    procyate guṇasaṃkhyāne yathāvacchṛṇu tānyapi ||

    Knowledge, action and the doer are each said to be of three kinds, according to the gunas (qualities of nature), in the science of the gunas. Hear about these too, as they are.

20. 18.20 · Krishna

    सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते ।
    अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ॥

    sarvabhūteṣu yenaikaṃ bhāvamavyayamīkṣate |
    avibhaktaṃ vibhakteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi sāttvikam ||

    The knowledge by which one sees a single imperishable reality in all beings, undivided in the divided — know that knowledge to be sattvic.

21. 18.21 · Krishna

    पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् ।
    वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ॥

    pṛthaktvena tu yajjñānaṃ nānābhāvānpṛthagvidhān |
    vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam ||

    But the knowledge that sees in all beings separate entities of various kinds, each distinct from the others — know that knowledge to be rajasic.

22. 18.22 · Krishna

    यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् ।
    अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥

    yattu kṛtsnavadekasminkārye saktamahaitukam |
    atattvārthavadalpaṃ ca tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||

    And the knowledge that clings to a single effect as if it were the whole, without reason, without grasp of the truth, and narrow — that is declared to be tamasic.

23. 18.23 · Krishna

    नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम् ।
    अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते ॥

    niyataṃ saṅgarahitamarāgadveṣataḥ kṛtam |
    aphalaprepsunā karma yattatsāttvikamucyate ||

    An obligatory action done without attachment, without love or hatred, by one who does not crave its fruit, is called sattvic.

24. 18.24 · Krishna

    यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहंकारेण वा पुनः ।
    क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥

    yattu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṃkāreṇa vā punaḥ |
    kriyate bahulāyāsaṃ tadrājasamudāhṛtam ||

    But an action done with great strain by one who craves the objects of desire, or who is driven by ego, is declared to be rajasic.

25. 18.25 · Krishna

    अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनवेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् ।
    मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ॥

    anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsāmanavekṣya ca pauruṣam |
    mohādārabhyate karma yattattāmasamucyate ||

    An action undertaken out of delusion, without regard for its consequences, for loss, for harm to others or for one’s own capacity, is called tamasic.

26. 18.26 · Krishna

    मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः ।
    सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकारः कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते ॥

    muktasaṅgo’nahaṃvādī dhṛtyutsāhasamanvitaḥ |
    siddhyasiddhyornirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvika ucyate ||

    A doer who is free from attachment, does not speak of “I”, is full of resolve and enthusiasm, and remains unchanged in success and failure is called sattvic.

27. 18.27 · Krishna

    रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः ।
    हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः ॥

    rāgī karmaphalaprepsurlubdho hiṃsātmako’śuciḥ |
    harṣaśokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||

    A doer who is driven by passion, eager for the fruits of action, greedy, harmful, impure and swept by joy and sorrow is declared to be rajasic.

28. 18.28 · Krishna

    अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः ।
    विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते ॥

    ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko’lasaḥ |
    viṣādī dīrghasūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate ||

    A doer who is undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn, deceitful, malicious, lazy, despondent and procrastinating is called tamasic.

29. 18.29 · Krishna

    बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु ।
    प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनंजय ॥

    buddherbhedaṃ dhṛteścaiva guṇatastrividhaṃ śṛṇu |
    procyamānamaśeṣeṇa pṛthaktvena dhanaṃjaya ||

    Now hear, Dhananjaya, the threefold division of intellect and of resolve according to the gunas, explained fully and one by one.

30. 18.30 · Krishna

    प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये ।
    बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥

    pravṛttiṃ ca nivṛttiṃ ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye |
    bandhaṃ mokṣaṃ ca yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī ||

    The intellect that knows when to act and when to refrain, what should and should not be done, what is to be feared and what is not, and what binds and what frees — that intellect, son of Pritha, is sattvic.

31. 18.31 · Krishna

    यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च ।
    अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥

    yayā dharmamadharmaṃ ca kāryaṃ cākāryameva ca |
    ayathāvatprajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||

    The intellect by which one wrongly understands dharma (right conduct) and adharma, what should be done and what should not — that intellect, son of Pritha, is rajasic.

32. 18.32 · Krishna

    अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसावृता ।
    सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥

    adharmaṃ dharmamiti yā manyate tamasāvṛtā |
    sarvārthānviparītāṃśca buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ||

    The intellect that, wrapped in darkness, takes adharma for dharma and sees everything in reverse — that intellect, son of Pritha, is tamasic.

33. 18.33 · Krishna

    धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः ।
    योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥

    dhṛtyā yayā dhārayate manaḥprāṇendriyakriyāḥ |
    yogenāvyabhicāriṇyā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī ||

    The steady resolve by which, through unwavering yoga, one holds firm the workings of mind, breath and senses — that resolve, son of Pritha, is sattvic.

34. 18.34 · Krishna

    यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन ।
    प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥

    yayā tu dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā dhārayate’rjuna |
    prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||

    But the resolve by which one holds on to duty, pleasure and wealth, Arjuna, craving their fruits as occasion arises — that resolve, son of Pritha, is rajasic.

35. 18.35 · Krishna

    यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च ।
    न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥

    yayā svapnaṃ bhayaṃ śokaṃ viṣādaṃ madameva ca |
    na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ||

    The resolve by which a dull-witted person will not let go of sleep, fear, grief, despondency and arrogance — that resolve, son of Pritha, is tamasic.

36. 18.36 · Krishna

    सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ ।
    अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति ॥

    sukhaṃ tvidānīṃ trividhaṃ śṛṇu me bharatarṣabha |
    abhyāsādramate yatra duḥkhāntaṃ ca nigacchati ||

    And now hear from me, bull of the Bharatas, about the three kinds of happiness. The happiness in which one comes to delight through practice, and in which one reaches the end of sorrow —

37. 18.37 · Krishna

    यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् ।
    तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ॥

    yattadagre viṣamiva pariṇāme’mṛtopamam |
    tatsukhaṃ sāttvikaṃ proktamātmabuddhiprasādajam ||

    — which is like poison at first but like nectar in the end, and is born of the clarity of one’s own mind — that happiness is called sattvic.

38. 18.38 · Krishna

    विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् ।
    परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥

    viṣayendriyasaṃyogādyattadagre’mṛtopamam |
    pariṇāme viṣamiva tatsukhaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ||

    The happiness that arises from the contact of the senses with their objects, which is like nectar at first but like poison in the end, is held to be rajasic.

39. 18.39 · Krishna

    यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः ।
    निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥

    yadagre cānubandhe ca sukhaṃ mohanamātmanaḥ |
    nidrālasyapramādotthaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||

    The happiness that deludes the self both at the beginning and in its outcome, arising from sleep, sloth and carelessness, is declared to be tamasic.

40. 18.40 · Krishna

    न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः ।
    सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ॥

    na tadasti pṛthivyāṃ vā divi deveṣu vā punaḥ |
    sattvaṃ prakṛtijairmuktaṃ yadebhiḥ syāttribhirguṇaiḥ ||

    There is no being, on earth or among the gods in heaven, that is free from these three gunas born of nature.

41. 18.41 · Krishna

    ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप ।
    कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥

    brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ śūdrāṇāṃ ca parantapa |
    karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ ||

    The duties of brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas, and of shudras too, scorcher of foes, are divided according to the qualities arising from their own nature.

42. 18.42 · Krishna

    शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च ।
    ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ॥

    śamo damastapaḥ śaucaṃ kṣāntirārjavameva ca |
    jñānaṃ vijñānamāstikyaṃ brahmakarma svabhāvajam ||

    Calm, self-restraint, austerity, purity, patience and uprightness, knowledge, realisation and faith — these are the duties of a brahmin, born of his own nature.

43. 18.43 · Krishna

    शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् ।
    दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥

    śauryaṃ tejo dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpyapalāyanam |
    dānamīśvarabhāvaśca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāvajam ||

    Courage, vigour, steadiness, skill, not fleeing from battle, generosity and leadership — these are the duties of a kshatriya, born of his own nature.

44. 18.44 · Krishna

    कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् ।
    परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम् ॥

    kṛṣigaurakṣyavāṇijyaṃ vaiśyakarma svabhāvajam |
    paricaryātmakaṃ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāvajam ||

    Farming, tending cattle and trade are the duties of a vaishya, born of his own nature; and work of service is the duty of a shudra, born of his own nature.

45. 18.45 · Krishna

    स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः ।
    स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु ॥

    sve sve karmaṇyabhirataḥ saṃsiddhiṃ labhate naraḥ |
    svakarmanirataḥ siddhiṃ yathā vindati tacchṛṇu ||

    Devoted to their own work, people attain perfection. Hear how one who is committed to his own work finds perfection.

46. 18.46 · Krishna

    यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ।
    स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ॥

    yataḥ pravṛttirbhūtānāṃ yena sarvamidaṃ tatam |
    svakarmaṇā tamabhyarcya siddhiṃ vindati mānavaḥ ||

    By worshipping, through his own work, the one from whom all beings arise and by whom all this is pervaded, a person attains perfection.

47. 18.47 · Krishna

    श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।
    स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥

    śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitāt |
    svabhāvaniyataṃ karma kurvannāpnoti kilbiṣam ||

    Better is one’s own dharma, even imperfectly done, than another’s dharma well performed. One who does the work determined by one’s own nature incurs no sin.

48. 18.48 · Krishna

    सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।
    सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥

    sahajaṃ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet |
    sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ ||

    Do not abandon the work you are born to, son of Kunti, even if it has flaws; for every undertaking is clouded by some flaw, as fire is by smoke.

49. 18.49 · Krishna

    असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः ।
    नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां संन्यासेनाधिगच्छति ॥

    asaktabuddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigataspṛhaḥ |
    naiṣkarmyasiddhiṃ paramāṃ saṃnyāsenādhigacchati ||

    One whose understanding is unattached everywhere, who has mastered himself and is free from craving, attains through renunciation the supreme perfection of freedom from action.

50. 18.50 · Krishna

    सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे ।
    समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा ॥

    siddhiṃ prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me |
    samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣṭhā jñānasya yā parā ||

    Learn from me briefly, son of Kunti, how one who has attained perfection reaches Brahman (the Absolute), the highest culmination of knowledge.

51. 18.51 · Krishna

    बुद्ध्या विशुद्ध्या युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च ।
    शब्दादीन्विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च ॥

    buddhyā viśuddhyā yukto dhṛtyātmānaṃ niyamya ca |
    śabdādīnviṣayāṃstyaktvā rāgadveṣau vyudasya ca ||

    Endowed with a purified intellect, controlling himself with firm resolve, turning away from sound and the other objects of the senses, and casting off attraction and aversion —

52. 18.52 · Krishna

    विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः ।
    ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः ॥

    viviktasevī laghvāśī yatavākkāyamānasaḥ |
    dhyānayogaparo nityaṃ vairāgyaṃ samupāśritaḥ ||

    — living in solitude, eating lightly, with speech, body and mind restrained, always intent on the yoga of meditation, and taking refuge in dispassion —

53. 18.53 · Krishna

    अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् ।
    विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥

    ahaṃkāraṃ balaṃ darpaṃ kāmaṃ krodhaṃ parigraham |
    vimucya nirmamaḥ śānto brahmabhūyāya kalpate ||

    — letting go of ego, force, arrogance, desire, anger and possessiveness, free from the sense of “mine” and at peace, he becomes fit to be one with Brahman.

54. 18.54 · Krishna

    ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति ।
    समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ॥

    brahmabhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati |
    samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu madbhaktiṃ labhate parām ||

    Having become one with Brahman and serene within, he neither grieves nor craves. Equal towards all beings, he attains supreme devotion to me.

55. 18.55 · Krishna

    भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः ।
    ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ॥

    bhaktyā māmabhijānāti yāvānyaścāsmi tattvataḥ |
    tato māṃ tattvato jñātvā viśate tadanantaram ||

    Through devotion he comes to know me as I truly am — how great I am and who I am. Then, knowing me in truth, he enters into me at once.

56. 18.56 · Krishna

    सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः ।
    मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ॥

    sarvakarmāṇyapi sadā kurvāṇo madvyapāśrayaḥ |
    matprasādādavāpnoti śāśvataṃ padamavyayam ||

    Even while always performing all kinds of actions, one who takes refuge in me reaches, by my grace, the eternal and imperishable abode.

57. 18.57 · Krishna

    चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः ।
    बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ॥

    cetasā sarvakarmāṇi mayi saṃnyasya matparaḥ |
    buddhiyogamupāśritya maccittaḥ satataṃ bhava ||

    Mentally surrendering all actions to me, holding me as the highest, and relying on the yoga of understanding, keep your mind always fixed on me.

58. 18.58 · Krishna

    मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि ।
    अथ चेत्त्वमहंकारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ॥

    maccittaḥ sarvadurgāṇi matprasādāttariṣyasi |
    atha cettvamahaṃkārānna śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi ||

    With your mind fixed on me, you will cross over every obstacle by my grace. But if, out of ego, you will not listen, you will perish.

59. 18.59 · Krishna

    यदहंकारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे ।
    मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥

    yadahaṃkāramāśritya na yotsya iti manyase |
    mithyaiṣa vyavasāyaste prakṛtistvāṃ niyokṣyati ||

    If, relying on ego, you think, “I will not fight,” your resolve is in vain. Your own nature will compel you.

60. 18.60 · Krishna

    स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा ।
    कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् ॥

    svabhāvajena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā |
    kartuṃ necchasi yanmohātkariṣyasyavaśo’pi tat ||

    Bound by your own work, born of your nature, son of Kunti, you will do helplessly even what, out of delusion, you do not wish to do.

61. 18.61 · Krishna

    ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति ।
    भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥

    īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ hṛddeśe’rjuna tiṣṭhati |
    bhrāmayansarvabhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā ||

    The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, Arjuna, causing all beings to revolve by his power of illusion, as if they were mounted on a machine.

62. 18.62 · Krishna

    तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत ।
    तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ॥

    tameva śaraṇaṃ gaccha sarvabhāvena bhārata |
    tatprasādātparāṃ śāntiṃ sthānaṃ prāpsyasi śāśvatam ||

    Take refuge in him alone with your whole being, Bharata. By his grace you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode.

63. 18.63 · Krishna

    इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्‌गुह्यतरं मया ।
    विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥

    iti te jñānamākhyātaṃ guhyād‌guhyataraṃ mayā |
    vimṛśyaitadaśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru ||

    Thus I have taught you this knowledge, more secret than any secret. Reflect on it fully, then do as you choose.

64. 18.64 · Krishna

    सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः शृणु मे परमं वचः ।
    इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ॥

    sarvaguhyatamaṃ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṃ vacaḥ |
    iṣṭo’si me dṛḍhamiti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam ||

    Hear once more my supreme word, the most secret of all. You are dearly loved by me; therefore I will tell you what is for your good.

65. 18.65 · Krishna

    मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु ।
    मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ॥

    manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṃ namaskuru |
    māmevaiṣyasi satyaṃ te pratijāne priyo’si me ||

    Fix your mind on me, be devoted to me, worship me and bow to me. You will come to me — this I truly promise you, for you are dear to me.

66. 18.66 · Krishna · key verse

    सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।
    अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥

    sarvadharmānparityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja |
    ahaṃ tvā sarvapāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ ||

    Setting aside all duties, take refuge in me alone. I will free you from all sins — do not grieve.

67. 18.67 · Krishna

    इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन ।
    न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥

    idaṃ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana |
    na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṃ na ca māṃ yo’bhyasūyati ||

    This should never be spoken to one who lacks austerity or devotion, nor to one who does not wish to listen, nor to one who finds fault with me.

68. 18.68 · Krishna

    य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति ।
    भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ॥

    ya imaṃ paramaṃ guhyaṃ madbhakteṣvabhidhāsyati |
    bhaktiṃ mayi parāṃ kṛtvā māmevaiṣyatyasaṃśayaḥ ||

    Whoever teaches this supreme secret to my devotees, showing the highest devotion to me, will without doubt come to me.

69. 18.69 · Krishna

    न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः ।
    भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि ॥

    na ca tasmānmanuṣyeṣu kaścinme priyakṛttamaḥ |
    bhavitā na ca me tasmādanyaḥ priyataro bhuvi ||

    No one among humans does me greater service than such a person, and no one on earth will ever be dearer to me.

70. 18.70 · Krishna

    अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः ।
    ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ॥

    adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṃ dharmyaṃ saṃvādamāvayoḥ |
    jñānayajñena tenāhamiṣṭaḥ syāmiti me matiḥ ||

    And whoever studies this sacred dialogue of ours will have worshipped me through the sacrifice of knowledge — that is my view.

71. 18.71 · Krishna

    श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः ।
    सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥

    śraddhāvānanasūyaśca śṛṇuyādapi yo naraḥ |
    so’pi muktaḥ śubhām̐llokānprāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām ||

    And even the person who simply listens to it with faith and without cavilling will be freed and will reach the auspicious worlds of those whose deeds are virtuous.

72. 18.72 · Krishna

    कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा ।
    कच्चिदज्ञानसंमोहः प्रनष्टस्ते धनंजय ॥

    kaccidetacchrutaṃ pārtha tvayaikāgreṇa cetasā |
    kaccidajñānasaṃmohaḥ pranaṣṭaste dhanaṃjaya ||

    Have you heard this with a focused mind, son of Pritha? Has your confusion born of ignorance been dispelled, Dhananjaya?

73. 18.73 · Arjuna

    नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत ।
    स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ॥

    naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtirlabdhā tvatprasādānmayācyuta |
    sthito’smi gatasandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṃ tava ||

    Arjuna said: My delusion is gone, and through your grace, Achyuta, I have regained my memory. I stand firm, my doubts dispelled. I will do as you say.

74. 18.74 · Sanjaya

    इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः ।
    संवादमिममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् ॥

    ityahaṃ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ |
    saṃvādamimamaśrauṣamadbhutaṃ romaharṣaṇam ||

    Sanjaya said: Thus I heard this wondrous dialogue between Vasudeva (Krishna) and the great-souled son of Pritha, which makes my hair stand on end.

75. 18.75 · Sanjaya

    व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम् ।
    योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम् ॥

    vyāsaprasādācchrutavānetadguhyamahaṃ param |
    yogaṃ yogeśvarātkṛṣṇātsākṣātkathayataḥ svayam ||

    By the grace of Vyasa I heard this supreme and secret yoga directly from Krishna, the lord of yoga, as he himself was declaring it.

76. 18.76 · Sanjaya

    राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम् ।
    केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः ॥

    rājansaṃsmṛtya saṃsmṛtya saṃvādamimamadbhutam |
    keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṃ hṛṣyāmi ca muhurmuhuḥ ||

    O king, as I recall again and again this wondrous and sacred dialogue between Keshava and Arjuna, I rejoice over and over.

77. 18.77 · Sanjaya

    तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः ।
    विस्मयो मे महान् राजन्हृष्यामि च पुनः पुनः ॥

    tacca saṃsmṛtya saṃsmṛtya rūpamatyadbhutaṃ hareḥ |
    vismayo me mahān rājanhṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ ||

    And as I recall again and again that most wondrous form of Hari, great is my amazement, O king, and I rejoice again and again.

78. 18.78 · Sanjaya · key verse

    यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः ।
    तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥

    yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdharaḥ |
    tatra śrīrvijayo bhūtirdhruvā nītirmatirmama ||

    Wherever there is Krishna, the lord of yoga, and wherever there is Arjuna, the archer, there will surely be prosperity, victory, well-being and righteousness — this is my conviction.