Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 8 (18.8)
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 8 (18.8)
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(indeed) - 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) -
ivajoined in naiva - 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.
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.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 18.8 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Shun duty because it is physically difficult or painful is Rajasik. Such relinquishment does not bring the spiritual fruits of detachment.