Chapter 18, Verse 8
Part of 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — मोक्षसंन्यासयोगदुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्।स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत्॥
Transliteration
duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśha-bhayāt tyajet sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet
Meaning
He who abandons action out of fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of renunciation by performing such Rajasic renunciation.
Word-by-word meaning
duḥkham — troublesomeiti — aseva — indeedyat — whichkarma — dutieskāya — bodilykleśha — discomfortbhayāt — out of feartyajet — giving upsaḥ — theykṛitvā — having donerājasam — in the mode of passiontyāgam — renunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actionsna — nevereva — certainlytyāga — renunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actionsphalam — resultlabhet — attain
Commentary
Phalam Fruit or reward Moksha or emancipation which is the reward of renunciation of all actions accompanied with wisdom. Determination and persistence are reired for the performance of religious duties and actions. One may begin action but may relinish it before it is completed on account of some difficulties or physical suffering. What then is Sattvic renunciation The Lord says --
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 8?▼
He who abandons action out of fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of renunciation by performing such Rajasic renunciation.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 8 of Chapter 18 (Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.