CHAPTER 18
SALVATION THROUGH RENUNCIATION
Verse 18.01
Arjuna said:
What is sacrifice and what is renunciation? What is Thyaga and what is Sanyas? What is the difference?
Verse 18.02-06
Lord Krishna said:
Thyaga is freedom from selfish attachment and fruits of work. Where as Sanyas is giving up activities prompted by desires.
Renunciation comprises of sacrifice, charity and penance. These are not to be given up. They must be performed as they purify even the great souls. 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 Prtha. That is My final opinion.
Verse 18.07-12
Prescribed duties should never be renounced. In the name of Sanyasa or renunciation, one should not give up one’s duty. The abandonment of obligatory work is due to delusion, and is ignorance.
One who abandons duty merely because it is difficult, or because of fear of bodily trouble, does not get the benefits of sacrifice by performing such a sacrifice in the mode of passion.
Obligatory work performed as duty, renouncing selfish attachment to the fruit, is alone regarded to be Satva sacrifice
The one who neither hates a disagreeable work, nor is attached to an agreeable work, is considered a renunciant (Tyagi) so long he is free from all doubts about the Supreme Being.
Human beings cannot completely abstain from work. Therefore, the one who completely renounces the selfish attachment to the fruits of all works is considered a renunciant.
A non-renunciant is assessed after death based on what he had done, desirable, undesirable, and mixed. Such an assessment is not necessary for a renunciant.
Verse 18.13-18
There are five causes for the accomplishment of all actions. Whatever right or wrong action a man performs by body, mind or speech is caused by these five factors. They are:
The performer
His Karma
His perception of what is happening, i.e. his knowledge
Arousal of one’s own senses i.e. of Satva, Rajas or Thamas
Act of the other person
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.
The one who is free from the notion of doership, and whose intellect is not polluted by the desire to reap the fruit; even after slaying these people, he or she neither slays nor is bound by the act of killing.
Verse 18.19-28
There are three kinds of knowledge, action and the performer of action.
As far as knowledge is concerned, the three kinds are:
That is Satva knowledge where one sees one spiritual entity in all living entities.
That is Rajas where one sees different living entities in different people
That is Thamas when one sees his own long standing irrational prejudice in other people
As far as action is concerned, the three kinds are:
Duties performed without likes and dislikes, and without selfish motives and attachment to enjoy the fruit, is said to be Satva
Action performed with ego, with selfish motives, and with too much effort; is Rajas
Action that is undertaken because of delusion; disregarding consequences, loss, injury to others, as well as one's own ability is Thamas
As far as the performer is concerned, the three kinds are:
One who is free from attachment, is non-egotistic, endowed with resolve and enthusiasm, and unperturbed in success or failure is Satva
One who is impassioned, attached to the fruits of their work, greedy, violent, impure, and is affected by joy and sorrow is Rajas
The undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn, wicked, malicious, lazy, depressed, and procrastinating performer is Thamas
Verse 18.29-35
Now there are also three kinds of understanding and determination. They are
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 Satva
Understanding which cannot distinguish between religion and irreligion, between what is to be done and what is not to be done is Rajas
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, is Thamas.
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 Satva determination
Determination by which one holds fast to fruitive results in religion, economic development and sense gratification is Rajas
And that determination which cannot go beyond dreaming, fearfulness, lamentation, moroseness and illusion--such unintelligent determination is Thamas.
Verse 18.36-40
Similar to the above, there are also three fold pleasure and happiness that people go after.
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 Satva
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 Rajas
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 Thamas
There is no being, either on the earth or among the celestial controllers in the heaven, who can remain free from these three modes of material Nature.
Verse 18.41-44
The division of human labor is also based on the qualities inherent in peoples' nature or their make up.
Those who have serenity, self control, austerity, purity, patience, honesty, transcendental knowledge, transcendental experience, and belief in God are labeled as intellectuals (Braahmans).
Those having the qualities of heroism, vigor, firmness, dexterity, not fleeing from battle, charity, and administrative skills are called leaders or protectors (Kshatriyas).
Those who are good in cultivation, cattle rearing, business, trade, finance, and industry are known as business men (Vaishyas).
Those who are very good in service and labor to others are classed as workers (Shudras).
Verse 18.45-58
One can attain the highest perfection by devotion to one's natural work. Listen to Me how one attains perfection while engaged in one's natural work.
One attains perfection by performing one’s own work along with worshipping the Lord who is the source of all beings and all pervading. . Duties prescribed according to one's nature are never affected by sinful reactions.
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.
One's natural work, even though defective, should not be abandoned; because all undertakings are enveloped by defects as fire is covered by smoke.
The person whose mind is always free from selfish attachment, who has subdued the mind and senses, and who is free from desires attains the supreme perfection of freedom from the bondage of Karma by renouncing selfish attachment to the fruits of work.
Learn from Me briefly, O Arjuna, how one can attain such perfection.
Endowed with purified intellect
Subduing the mind with firm resolve
Turning away from sound and other objects of the senses
Giving up likes and dislikes
Preferring solitude
Eating lightly
Controlling the mind, speech, and organs of action
Performing meditation
Being detached
Relinquishing egotism, violence, pride, lust, anger, and proprietorship
one becomes peaceful, free from the notion of "I, me, and my", and fit for attaining oneness with perfection and the Supreme Being
Absorbed in the Supreme Being, the serene, one neither grieves nor desires; becoming impartial to all beings, one obtains the highest devotional love for God.
By devotion one truly understands what and who I am, in essence. Having known Me in essence, one immediately merges with Me.
A Karma-yogi devotee attains the eternal immutable abode by My grace even while doing all duties just by taking refuge in Me (by surrendering all action to Me with loving devotion).
Sincerely offer all actions to Me, set Me as your supreme goal, and completely depend on Me. Always fix your mind on Me, and resort to Karma-yoga.
You shall overcome all difficulties by My grace when your mind becomes fixed on Me. But, if you do not listen to Me due to ego, you shall perish.
Verse 18.59-62
If due to ego you think: I shall not fight; this resolve of yours is vain. 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. You are controlled by your own nature, i.e. born Karmic impressions. Therefore, you shall do even against your will what you do not wish to do out of delusion.
The Supreme Lord - as the controller abiding in the inner psyche of all beings - causes them to work out their Karma like a puppet (of Karma created by the free will) mounted on a machine.
Seek refuge in the Supreme Lord alone with loving devotion, O Arjuna. By His grace you shall attain supreme peace and the Eternal Abode.
Verse 18.63
Thus the knowledge that is more secret than the secret has been explained to you by Me. After fully reflecting on this, do as you wish.
Verse 18.64-67
Hear once again My most secret, supreme word. You are very dear to Me, therefore, I shall tell this for your benefit.
Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, offer service to Me, bow down to Me, and you shall certainly reach Me. I promise you because you are My very dear friend.
Set aside all meritorious deeds and religious rituals, and just surrender completely to My will with firm faith and loving devotion. I shall liberate you from all sins, the bonds of Karma. Do not grieve.
This knowledge should never be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerity, who is without devotion, who does not desire to listen, or who speaks ill of Me.
Verse 18.68-69
The one who shall propagate this supreme secret philosophy the transcendental knowledge of the Gita amongst My devotees, shall be performing the highest devotional service to Me, and shall certainly come to Me. No other person shall do a more pleasing service to Me, and no one on the earth shall be more dear to Me.
Verse 18.70-77
I promise the study of this sacred dialogue of ours will be equivalent to worshipping Me with knowledge-sacrifice.
Whoever hears this sacred dialogue with faith and without cavil becomes free from sin, and attains heaven the higher worlds of those whose actions are pure and virtuous.
O Arjuna, did you listen to this with single-minded attention? Has your delusion born of ignorance been completely destroyed?
Arjuna said:
By Your grace my delusion is destroyed, I have gained Self-knowledge, my confusion with regard to body and Spirit is dispelled and I shall obey Your command.
Sanjaya said:
Thus I heard this wonderful dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, causing my hair to stand on end.
By the grace of sage Vyasa, I heard this most secret and supreme yoga directly from Krishna, the Lord of yoga, Himself speaking to Arjuna before my very eyes of clairvoyance granted by sage Vyasa.
O King, by repeated remembrance of this marvelous and sacred dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, I am thrilled at every moment; and
Recollecting again and again, O King, that marvelous form of Krishna I am greatly amazed and I rejoice over and over again.
Verse 18.78
Wherever there will be both Krishna, the Lord of yoga, or Dharma in the form of the scriptures, and Arjuna with the weapons of duty and protection; there will be everlasting prosperity, victory, happiness, and morality. This is my conviction.
EPILOGUE
The Farewell Message of Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna on the eve of His departure from the arena of this world, after finishing the difficult task of establishing righteousness (Dharma), gave His last parting discourse to His cousin brother Uddhava who was also His dearest devotee and follower. At the end of a long sermon comprising more than one thousand verses Uddhava said:
O Lord, I think the pursuit of yoga as You narrated to Arjuna, and now to me, is very difficult, indeed, for most people; because it entails control of the unruly senses. Please tell me a short, simple, and easy way to God-realization.
Lord Krishna upon Uddhava's request gave the essentials of Self-realization (BP 11.06-29) for the modern age as follows:
(1) Do your duty, to the best of your abilities, for Me without any selfish motive, and remember Me at all times - before starting a work, at the completion of a task, and while inactive.
(2) Practice to look upon all creatures as Myself in thought, word, and deed; and mentally bow down to them.
(3) Awaken your dormant powers. Perceive through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions that the power of God is within you at all times, and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument.
The Supreme Lord Krishna said:
The one who wants to know Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, should only understand that I existed before creation, I exist in the creation, as well as after complete dissolution. Any other existence is nothing but My illusory energy (Maya). I exist within the creation and at the same time outside the creation. I am the all-pervading Supreme Lord who exists everywhere, in everything, and at all times.
SALVATION THROUGH RENUNCIATION
Verse 18.01
Arjuna said:
What is sacrifice and what is renunciation? What is Thyaga and what is Sanyas? What is the difference?
Verse 18.02-06
Lord Krishna said:
Thyaga is freedom from selfish attachment and fruits of work. Where as Sanyas is giving up activities prompted by desires.
Renunciation comprises of sacrifice, charity and penance. These are not to be given up. They must be performed as they purify even the great souls. 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 Prtha. That is My final opinion.
Verse 18.07-12
Prescribed duties should never be renounced. In the name of Sanyasa or renunciation, one should not give up one’s duty. The abandonment of obligatory work is due to delusion, and is ignorance.
One who abandons duty merely because it is difficult, or because of fear of bodily trouble, does not get the benefits of sacrifice by performing such a sacrifice in the mode of passion.
Obligatory work performed as duty, renouncing selfish attachment to the fruit, is alone regarded to be Satva sacrifice
The one who neither hates a disagreeable work, nor is attached to an agreeable work, is considered a renunciant (Tyagi) so long he is free from all doubts about the Supreme Being.
Human beings cannot completely abstain from work. Therefore, the one who completely renounces the selfish attachment to the fruits of all works is considered a renunciant.
A non-renunciant is assessed after death based on what he had done, desirable, undesirable, and mixed. Such an assessment is not necessary for a renunciant.
Verse 18.13-18
There are five causes for the accomplishment of all actions. Whatever right or wrong action a man performs by body, mind or speech is caused by these five factors. They are:
The performer
His Karma
His perception of what is happening, i.e. his knowledge
Arousal of one’s own senses i.e. of Satva, Rajas or Thamas
Act of the other person
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.
The one who is free from the notion of doership, and whose intellect is not polluted by the desire to reap the fruit; even after slaying these people, he or she neither slays nor is bound by the act of killing.
Verse 18.19-28
There are three kinds of knowledge, action and the performer of action.
As far as knowledge is concerned, the three kinds are:
That is Satva knowledge where one sees one spiritual entity in all living entities.
That is Rajas where one sees different living entities in different people
That is Thamas when one sees his own long standing irrational prejudice in other people
As far as action is concerned, the three kinds are:
Duties performed without likes and dislikes, and without selfish motives and attachment to enjoy the fruit, is said to be Satva
Action performed with ego, with selfish motives, and with too much effort; is Rajas
Action that is undertaken because of delusion; disregarding consequences, loss, injury to others, as well as one's own ability is Thamas
As far as the performer is concerned, the three kinds are:
One who is free from attachment, is non-egotistic, endowed with resolve and enthusiasm, and unperturbed in success or failure is Satva
One who is impassioned, attached to the fruits of their work, greedy, violent, impure, and is affected by joy and sorrow is Rajas
The undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn, wicked, malicious, lazy, depressed, and procrastinating performer is Thamas
Verse 18.29-35
Now there are also three kinds of understanding and determination. They are
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 Satva
Understanding which cannot distinguish between religion and irreligion, between what is to be done and what is not to be done is Rajas
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, is Thamas.
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 Satva determination
Determination by which one holds fast to fruitive results in religion, economic development and sense gratification is Rajas
And that determination which cannot go beyond dreaming, fearfulness, lamentation, moroseness and illusion--such unintelligent determination is Thamas.
Verse 18.36-40
Similar to the above, there are also three fold pleasure and happiness that people go after.
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 Satva
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 Rajas
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 Thamas
There is no being, either on the earth or among the celestial controllers in the heaven, who can remain free from these three modes of material Nature.
Verse 18.41-44
The division of human labor is also based on the qualities inherent in peoples' nature or their make up.
Those who have serenity, self control, austerity, purity, patience, honesty, transcendental knowledge, transcendental experience, and belief in God are labeled as intellectuals (Braahmans).
Those having the qualities of heroism, vigor, firmness, dexterity, not fleeing from battle, charity, and administrative skills are called leaders or protectors (Kshatriyas).
Those who are good in cultivation, cattle rearing, business, trade, finance, and industry are known as business men (Vaishyas).
Those who are very good in service and labor to others are classed as workers (Shudras).
Verse 18.45-58
One can attain the highest perfection by devotion to one's natural work. Listen to Me how one attains perfection while engaged in one's natural work.
One attains perfection by performing one’s own work along with worshipping the Lord who is the source of all beings and all pervading. . Duties prescribed according to one's nature are never affected by sinful reactions.
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.
One's natural work, even though defective, should not be abandoned; because all undertakings are enveloped by defects as fire is covered by smoke.
The person whose mind is always free from selfish attachment, who has subdued the mind and senses, and who is free from desires attains the supreme perfection of freedom from the bondage of Karma by renouncing selfish attachment to the fruits of work.
Learn from Me briefly, O Arjuna, how one can attain such perfection.
Endowed with purified intellect
Subduing the mind with firm resolve
Turning away from sound and other objects of the senses
Giving up likes and dislikes
Preferring solitude
Eating lightly
Controlling the mind, speech, and organs of action
Performing meditation
Being detached
Relinquishing egotism, violence, pride, lust, anger, and proprietorship
one becomes peaceful, free from the notion of "I, me, and my", and fit for attaining oneness with perfection and the Supreme Being
Absorbed in the Supreme Being, the serene, one neither grieves nor desires; becoming impartial to all beings, one obtains the highest devotional love for God.
By devotion one truly understands what and who I am, in essence. Having known Me in essence, one immediately merges with Me.
A Karma-yogi devotee attains the eternal immutable abode by My grace even while doing all duties just by taking refuge in Me (by surrendering all action to Me with loving devotion).
Sincerely offer all actions to Me, set Me as your supreme goal, and completely depend on Me. Always fix your mind on Me, and resort to Karma-yoga.
You shall overcome all difficulties by My grace when your mind becomes fixed on Me. But, if you do not listen to Me due to ego, you shall perish.
Verse 18.59-62
If due to ego you think: I shall not fight; this resolve of yours is vain. 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. You are controlled by your own nature, i.e. born Karmic impressions. Therefore, you shall do even against your will what you do not wish to do out of delusion.
The Supreme Lord - as the controller abiding in the inner psyche of all beings - causes them to work out their Karma like a puppet (of Karma created by the free will) mounted on a machine.
Seek refuge in the Supreme Lord alone with loving devotion, O Arjuna. By His grace you shall attain supreme peace and the Eternal Abode.
Verse 18.63
Thus the knowledge that is more secret than the secret has been explained to you by Me. After fully reflecting on this, do as you wish.
Verse 18.64-67
Hear once again My most secret, supreme word. You are very dear to Me, therefore, I shall tell this for your benefit.
Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, offer service to Me, bow down to Me, and you shall certainly reach Me. I promise you because you are My very dear friend.
Set aside all meritorious deeds and religious rituals, and just surrender completely to My will with firm faith and loving devotion. I shall liberate you from all sins, the bonds of Karma. Do not grieve.
This knowledge should never be spoken by you to one who is devoid of austerity, who is without devotion, who does not desire to listen, or who speaks ill of Me.
Verse 18.68-69
The one who shall propagate this supreme secret philosophy the transcendental knowledge of the Gita amongst My devotees, shall be performing the highest devotional service to Me, and shall certainly come to Me. No other person shall do a more pleasing service to Me, and no one on the earth shall be more dear to Me.
Verse 18.70-77
I promise the study of this sacred dialogue of ours will be equivalent to worshipping Me with knowledge-sacrifice.
Whoever hears this sacred dialogue with faith and without cavil becomes free from sin, and attains heaven the higher worlds of those whose actions are pure and virtuous.
O Arjuna, did you listen to this with single-minded attention? Has your delusion born of ignorance been completely destroyed?
Arjuna said:
By Your grace my delusion is destroyed, I have gained Self-knowledge, my confusion with regard to body and Spirit is dispelled and I shall obey Your command.
Sanjaya said:
Thus I heard this wonderful dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, causing my hair to stand on end.
By the grace of sage Vyasa, I heard this most secret and supreme yoga directly from Krishna, the Lord of yoga, Himself speaking to Arjuna before my very eyes of clairvoyance granted by sage Vyasa.
O King, by repeated remembrance of this marvelous and sacred dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, I am thrilled at every moment; and
Recollecting again and again, O King, that marvelous form of Krishna I am greatly amazed and I rejoice over and over again.
Verse 18.78
Wherever there will be both Krishna, the Lord of yoga, or Dharma in the form of the scriptures, and Arjuna with the weapons of duty and protection; there will be everlasting prosperity, victory, happiness, and morality. This is my conviction.
EPILOGUE
The Farewell Message of Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna on the eve of His departure from the arena of this world, after finishing the difficult task of establishing righteousness (Dharma), gave His last parting discourse to His cousin brother Uddhava who was also His dearest devotee and follower. At the end of a long sermon comprising more than one thousand verses Uddhava said:
O Lord, I think the pursuit of yoga as You narrated to Arjuna, and now to me, is very difficult, indeed, for most people; because it entails control of the unruly senses. Please tell me a short, simple, and easy way to God-realization.
Lord Krishna upon Uddhava's request gave the essentials of Self-realization (BP 11.06-29) for the modern age as follows:
(1) Do your duty, to the best of your abilities, for Me without any selfish motive, and remember Me at all times - before starting a work, at the completion of a task, and while inactive.
(2) Practice to look upon all creatures as Myself in thought, word, and deed; and mentally bow down to them.
(3) Awaken your dormant powers. Perceive through the activities of mind, senses, breathing, and emotions that the power of God is within you at all times, and is constantly doing all the work using you as a mere instrument.
The Supreme Lord Krishna said:
The one who wants to know Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, should only understand that I existed before creation, I exist in the creation, as well as after complete dissolution. Any other existence is nothing but My illusory energy (Maya). I exist within the creation and at the same time outside the creation. I am the all-pervading Supreme Lord who exists everywhere, in everything, and at all times.
15 comments:
thanq soo much..once again i thank you from d bottom of my heart.. HARE KRISHNA!!
Thank you very much for these precious words.My regards to you.
This is first time I'm reading Gita. Wonderful in a very simple and understanding. But need to read again and again. Thank you so much.
Hare Krishna !
Thank you again!
I liked this very much! I appreciate your efforts towards sharing this! Thanks and all the best to you!
Great job on presenting the lessons of the Gita. Thank you for your time and effort in writing and sharing this summary.
Thank you Sir for this outstanding service!
My best regards,
Harish Chandra Joshi (medhcj@emory.edu)
THANK YOU !!
Thank you Sir for this outstanding DEVOTIONAL SERVICE TO THE SUPREME LORD,THE CREATOR
Thank You Very Much ,
With Regards,
Neelu.
Thank you so much sir, since I've read this for the very first time and I'm truly delighted by Bhagvad geeta. I personally found many answers to my life and I'll try to learn and implement it. Once again Thank you 😊
Thank you so much sir, since I've read this for the very first time and I'm truly delighted by Bhagvad geeta. I personally found many answers to my life and I'll try to learn and implement it. Once again Thank you 😊
Thankyou!!😊😊
Thank you :) really I'm feeling his holiness. hare krishna
If anyone wants to download a copy
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VLLUq6rRgmDMRIUo1fxZiCFvqPF4GTEN/view?usp=sharing
Post a Comment