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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 1:
  • संन्यास्य(sannyasya) — संन्यास का(of renunciation)
  • 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.

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 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.

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 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)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • 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.

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.

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)
  • यज्ञः(yajñaḥ) — यज्ञ(worship)
Line 2:
  • दानम्(dānam) — दान(charity)
  • तपः(tapah) — तप(discipline)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • एव(eva) — ही(indeed)
  • 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.

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)
  • इति(iti) — ऐसा(thus)
  • 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.

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)
  • न(na) — उचित नहीं है(is not proper)
Line 2:
  • उपपद्यते(upapadyate) — उचित होता(is not proper)
  • 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.

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(only)
  • 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)
  • एव(eva) — ही(indeed)
  • 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.

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(only)
  • 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)
  • एव(eva) — ही(also)
  • 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.

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) — द्वेष नहीं करता(does not hate)
  • द्वेष्टि(dveṣhṭi) — द्वेष नहीं करता(does not hate)
  • अकुशलम्(akuśhalam) — अप्रिय(unpleasant)
  • कर्म(karma) — कर्म(action)
  • कुशले(kuśhale) — प्रिय में(in pleasant)
  • न(na) — नहीं(not)
  • 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.

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)
  • इति(iti) — ऐसा(thus)
  • 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.

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)

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.

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.