Bhagavad Gita · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation

Chapter 18, Verse 3

"Bhagavad Gita 18.3" — meaning and explanation.

Meaning

18.3 Some philosophers declare that actions should be abandoned as an evil; while others (declare) that acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be relinished.

।।18.3।। कुछ मनीषी जन कहते हैं कि समस्त कर्म दोषयुक्त होने के कारण त्याज्य हैं; और अन्य जन कहते हैं कि यज्ञ, दान और तपरूप कर्म त्याज्य नहीं हैं।।

Explanation

18.3 त्याज्यम् should be abandoned? दोषवत् (full of) as an evil? इति thus? एके some? कर्म action? प्राहुः declare? मनीषिणः philosophers? यज्ञदानतपःकर्म acts of sacrifice? gift and austerity? न not? त्याज्यम् should be relinished? इति thus? च and? अपरे others.Commentary Some philosophers who follow the doctrine of the Sankhyas declare that all actions,should be abandoned as evil? even by those who are fit for Karma Yoga.Doshavat As an evil All Karmas should be abandoned as involving evil because they cause bondage or that they should be relinished like passion and other such evil tendencies.Others declare that the acts of sacrifice? gifts and austerities should not be given up by those who are fit for Karma Yoga. These are the opinions of some? who are of great understanding.Now listen to Me. I will settle this matter and will tell thee how renunciation should be practised.The subject of the discourse here is about the Karma Yogins only and not about those persons who have gone beyond the path of Karma. It is with reference to the Karma Yogins that these conflicting opinions are held and not with reference to the Jnana Yogins or the Sannyasins who have risen above all worldly concerns.

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 18.3 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 3, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

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