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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
18.518.7

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.6

Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruits

Karma · Action

एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च ।

कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ॥ ६ ॥

etāny api tu karmāṇi

saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni ca

kartavyānīti me pārtha

niścitaṁ matam uttamam

Translation

All these activities should be performed without attachment or any expectation of result. They should be performed as a matter of duty, O son of Pṛthā. That is My final opinion.

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

Duty Without Attachment

  1. 1

    These activities should be done as a duty, without attachment or expectation of results. This is the Lord’s final opinion.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that sacrifices for material advancement should be given up, but those that purify us and lead to Kṛṣṇa consciousness should continue.

  3. 3

    Accept work, sacrifice or charity that helps you serve the Lord with devotion.

Key points from the purport

Attitude while performing sacrifice, charity and penance:

Without attachment or any expectation of result

Example of what should be given up – All sacrifices meant for material advancement should be given up (purport)

Only as a matter of duty for the purpose of purification of one’s existence

Example of what should be encouraged – Everything that leads to Krishna consciousness must be encouraged (purport)

Ref. SB 1.2.6: “sa vai pumsam…” – Highest criteria of religion is anything which leads to devotional service

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. etāniall these
  2. apicertainly
  3. tubut
  4. karmāṇiactivities
  5. saṅgamassociation
  6. tyaktvārenouncing
  7. phalāniresults
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.6 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 18.2Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruitsBG 18.3Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruitsBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomesBG 3.21Leadership by example
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
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  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction