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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 ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.3218.34

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.33

Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes

Prakṛti · Material nature

धृत्या यया धारयते मन:प्राणेन्द्रियक्रिया: ।

योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृति: सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥ ३३ ॥

dhṛtyā yayā dhārayate

manaḥ-prāṇendriya-kriyāḥ

yogenāvyabhicāriṇyā

dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī

Translation

O son of Pṛthā, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and which thus controls the activities of the mind, life and senses is determination in the mode of goodness.

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

Determination in Goodness

  1. 1

    Unbreakable determination, sustained by steady yoga practice, controls the mind, life and senses and is in goodness.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that firmly focusing the mind, life and senses on the Supreme Soul means engaging in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Stay steady in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without being diverted by other activities.

Key points from the purport

Determination in goodness

Determination which is unbreakable

Sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice

Controls the activities of the mind, life and senses

Significance of the word “avyabhicarinya” – It indicates that persons who are engaged in Krishna consciousness are never deviated by any other activity

Further reading

The Modes Control All Activities

One’s work according to the five factors mentioned above is dictated by the three modes of material nature

This includes:

One’s knowledge (19-22) o One’s action (23-26)

One’s performance of action (27-28) o One’s understandings (29-32)

One’s determination(33-35) o One’s happiness (36-39)

All activities within the universe are thus controlled by the three modes SAKAMA TO NISKAMA KARMA YOGA

Chapter 18, section III: The Modes Control All Activities
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dhṛtyādetermination
  2. yayāby which
  3. dhārayateone sustains
  4. manaḥof the mind
  5. prāṇalife
  6. indriyaand senses
  7. kriyāḥthe activities
  8. yogenaby yoga practice
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.33 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.19Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 18.20Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā
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.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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