Arjuna asks Krishna to distinguish between Tyaga and Sannyasa (What is the goal of renunciation and of the renounced order of life? Should one work while remaining detached from the fruit of work (niskama-karma) or should one renounce activities to perform jnana-yoga?)
7 – 18.9 and Text 18.12
aMain emphasis of every chapter in the Bhagavad-gita — “Devotional service unto Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of life”
First six chapters conclude in Text 6.47 – “yoginam api…” – Bhakti-yoga is the best
Middle six chapters describe pure devotional service and its nature and activity
Recommend – “Do all acts in conjunction with the Lord” as indicated by “Om tat sat” which indicates Vishnu, the Supreme Person (Bg. Chapter 17)
Establishes – ‘Devotional service is the ultimate purpose of life’ by citing past Acharyas, the Brahma-sutra and Vedanta-sutra; and thus refutes Impersonalists who claim monopoly on Vedanta-sutra
Chapter 13 – 17 establishes devotional service on the authority of Vedanta- sutra (e.g. Chapter 13 and Chapter 15)
Especially Bg. 15.5 says Vedanta-sutra is meant for understanding devotional service
Chapter 18 summarizes the same point, ‘Devotional service as the most confidential knowledge’
bPurpose of life (As per Chapter 2 and Chapter 18) — Renunciation and attainment of transcendental position above the three modes
cMeaning of ‘Hrsikesha’ — Master of all senses
One who helps to attain mental serenity
Arjuna uses this name because he wants to know everything clearly so that he can be equipoised
dMeaning of ‘Kesi-nisudana’ — Killer of Kesi demon and now He is expected to kill the doubts which are compared to demons