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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 ›
Bhakti & surrenderChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.4818.50

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.49

Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhakti

Karma · Action

असक्तबुद्धि: सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृह: ।

नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां सन्न्यासेनाधिगच्छति ॥ ४९ ॥

asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra

jitātmā vigata-spṛhaḥ

naiṣkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ

sannyāsenādhigacchati

Translation

One who is self-controlled and unattached and who disregards all material enjoyments can obtain, by practice of renunciation, the highest perfect stage of freedom from reaction.

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

Real Renunciation

  1. 1

    Through renunciation, a self-controlled person who is unattached to material enjoyment can reach complete freedom from reactions to work.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that real renunciation means knowing we are part of the Supreme Lord and that our work’s results are for His enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Work for Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure, finding satisfaction in serving Him rather than in material enjoyment.

Key points from the purport

One who is self-controlled and completely unattached, can engage in Jnana-yoga and can obtain highest perfect stage of freedom from reaction

Thus explains – ‘Who can practice renunciation and attain highest perfect stage of freedom from reaction” (As per Jnana-yoga)

a

Krishna conscious person is a real renunciant (sannyasi)

Real renunciation means to think oneself part and parcel of the Supreme Lord

Therefore one has no rights to enjoy the results of his work

Results must be enjoyed by the Supreme Lord

b

Krishna conscious mentality gives real satisfaction because

He is actually acting for the Supreme

He is not attached to anything material and becomes accustomed to not taking pleasure in anything beyond the transcendental happiness of serving the Lord

It automatically gives freedom from all reaction without accepting renounced order

Ref. Bg. 3.17 and Yoga-rudha stage

Further reading

Confidential Knowledge: From Reaction-Free Work

Through jnana-yoga to brahman platform & pure devotional service

One practicing niskama karma yoga, detached work, attains goodness and the knowledge that he is not his body

He finally attains the Brahman platform

By serving Krishna on this platform, with devotion, one reaches the kingdom of God

Chapter 18, section V: Confidential Knowledge: From Reaction-Free Work
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asakta-buddhiḥhaving unattached intelligence
  2. sarvatraeverywhere
  3. jita-ātmāhaving control of the mind
  4. vigata-spṛhaḥwithout material desires
  5. naiṣkarmya-siddhimthe perfection of nonreaction
  6. paramāmsupreme
  7. sannyāsenaby the renounced order of life
  8. adhigacchatione attains
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.49 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.50Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhaktiBG 18.51Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhaktiBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted
Live this todayKeep Serving Despite the SmokeA practice from BG 18.48, close to this verse

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

  1. Learn
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  3. Lead
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