Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 1

Chapter 18 – Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Arjuna

Sanskrit verse

अर्जुन उवाच ।
संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् ।
त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ॥

Transliteration

arjuna uvāca .
saṃnyāsasya mahābāho tattvamicchāmi veditum .
tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pṛthakkeśiniṣūdana ॥

Meaning

Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, O Hrishikesha, O slayer of Keshi, I wish to understand clearly and separately the true nature of sannyasa (renunciation) and of tyaga (relinquishment).

Word meanings

अर्जुनः उवाच – Arjuna said
संन्यासस्य – of renunciation
महाबाहो – O mighty-armed one
तत्त्वम् – the truth, the essence
इच्छामि – I wish
वेदितुम् – to know
त्यागस्य – of relinquishment
च – and
हृषीकेश – O Lord of the senses
पृथक् – separately, distinctly
केशिनिषूदन – O slayer of the demon Keshi

Anvaya (word order)

अर्जुनः उवाच — महाबाहो हृषीकेश केशिनिषूदन, संन्यासस्य च त्यागस्य तत्त्वं पृथक् वेदितुम् इच्छामि ।

Explanation

The eighteenth chapter is the grand summation of the Gita. Over seventeen chapters Krishna has unfolded the paths of action, knowledge, meditation and devotion. Now Arjuna asks for the distilled conclusion. Throughout the dialogue two words have recurred — sannyasa and tyaga. At times renunciation of action is praised; at other times Krishna insists that selfless action is superior; elsewhere he speaks of giving up the fruits of work. Arjuna therefore asks a natural question: are these the same thing, or is there a subtle difference between them?

He uses the word tattvam, the essence — he does not want a dictionary definition but the real truth of the matter. The word prithak, separately, shows that he wants each concept laid out distinctly, so that no confusion remains. This is the maturity of a sincere seeker: before putting a teaching into practice, he wants to be sure he has understood it rightly.

The three forms of address are meaningful. Mahabaho, mighty-armed, recalls Krishna's strength. Hrishikesha, master of the senses, is the one best qualified to explain how the senses and their activities are to be renounced. Keshinishudana, slayer of the horse-demon Keshi, suggests that he who destroyed a powerful demon can also destroy the demon of doubt within Arjuna.

Shankara regards this chapter as a summary of the entire teaching of the scripture, while Ramanuja sees it as the final harmonising of action, knowledge and devotion. Either way, this question opens the door to the whole conclusion of the Gita.

Context

At the close of Chapter 17 Krishna explained the threefold faith and the sacred formula Om Tat Sat. Chapter 18 opens with Arjuna's question about renunciation and relinquishment. From the next verse (18.2) Krishna begins his answer by presenting the views of various thinkers.

Life lesson

Do not be satisfied with a vague grasp of important truths; seek their essence clearly. Asking the right question is the first step towards right understanding. Humbly seeking clarity from someone wise and capable is itself a mark of wisdom.

Key terms

Sannyasa: Renunciation; giving up actions themselves
Tyaga: Relinquishment; giving up attachment to actions and their fruits
Tattva: The true essence of a thing
Keshinishudana: Slayer of the demon Keshi — an epithet of Krishna