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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 1 (18.1)

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.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 1 (18.1)

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:
  • sann joined in saṁnyāsasya
  • यः (yah) — जो(who)
  • as joined 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)
  • (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.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 18.1 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary