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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Duty & actionChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.118.3

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.2

Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruits

Karma · Action

श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं सन्न्यासं कवयो विदु: ।

सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणा: ॥ २ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ

sannyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ

sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ

prāhus tyāgaṁ vicakṣaṇāḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned men call the renounced order of life [sannyāsa]. And giving up the results of all activities is what the wise call renunciation [tyāga].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Two Kinds of Renunciation

  1. 1

    Sannyāsa means giving up activities based on material desire; tyāga means giving up the results of all activities.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that desire-driven sacrifices should stop, but sacrifices that purify the heart or deepen spiritual knowledge should continue.

  3. 3

    Give up activities driven by material desires, but continue those that help you grow in spiritual knowledge.

Key points from the purport

Krishna begins by citing great philosophers who say:

‘Tyaga’ – To renounce the results of all activities

‘Sannyasa’ – To renounce the activities that are based on material desire; which implies to renounce fruits and also the work itself

Further reading

Summary Of Chapters 1 – 6: Karma Section

A true sannyasi does not renounce his activities, but is detached from their fruits

Krishna concludes that renounced order of life (sannyasa) and renunciation of the fruits of action (tyaga) are the same.

Work performed in this way is renunciation in the mode of goodness

Chapter 18, section I: Summary Of Chapters 1 – 6: Karma Section
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. kāmyānāmwith desire
  3. karmaṇāmof activities
  4. nyāsamrenunciation
  5. sannyāsamthe renounced order of life
  6. kavayaḥthe learned
  7. viduḥknow
  8. sarvaof all
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Renunciation

    Renunciation and relinquishment of fruits are distinguished.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.2 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 18 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 5.2Detached action performed in devotionBG 6.1Renunciation in the midst of actionBG 18.11Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruits
Live this todayWorship Kṛṣṇa Through Your WorkA practice from BG 18.46, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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