Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 3

Chapter 18 – Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः ।
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ॥

Transliteration

tyājyaṃ doṣavadityeke karma prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ .
yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyamiti cāpare ॥

Meaning

Some thinkers say that all action should be given up as being full of defect; others say that acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity should not be given up.

Word meanings

त्याज्यम् – to be given up
दोषवत् – as an evil, as tainted with defect
इति – thus
एके – some
कर्म – action
प्राहुः – declare
मनीषिणः – thinkers, learned men
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म – acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity
न त्याज्यम् – should not be given up
च – and
अपरे – others

Anvaya (word order)

एके मनीषिणः ‘कर्म दोषवत् त्याज्यम्’ इति प्राहुः; अपरे च ‘यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यम्’ इति (प्राहुः) ।

Explanation

Krishna now presents two more positions. The first holds that action as such is defective. The word doshavat has been read in two ways: either 'like a fault' — just as passions like attachment and aversion are to be abandoned, so too is action — or 'having defects', since every action carries some element of harm, imperfection or bondage. This view is associated with certain ancient teachers of the Sankhya school, who regarded total withdrawal from activity as the path to liberation.

The second position is that of the Mimamsakas, the ritualists, who insist that sacrifice, charity and austerity must never be abandoned, since they are enjoined by scripture and purify the one who performs them. In their view action is the very basis of dharma, and to give up these noble acts would be to give up dharma itself.

We now have four views before us: renouncing desire-driven acts, renouncing the fruits of all acts, renouncing all action, and never renouncing sacrifice, charity and austerity. Notably, Krishna dismisses none of them; he refers to their holders respectfully as 'thinkers' and 'the discerning'. This is characteristic of the Gita's generous, harmonising spirit.

Shankara notes that the view that action is to be relinquished applies to those qualified for the path of knowledge, while for those on the path of action, sacrifice and other duties remain necessary. In the coming verses Krishna gives his decisive teaching: action itself is not the fault; attachment and craving for results are.

Context

The previous verse gave two definitions of sannyasa and tyaga. This verse adds two opposing views about abandoning action. In the next verse (18.4) Krishna says, 'Now hear my conclusion,' introducing the threefold classification of relinquishment.

Life lesson

Listening respectfully to differing views before reaching a conclusion is a mark of maturity. The mere fact that action is imperfect is no reason to abandon it. Never let noble acts such as service, generosity and self-discipline drop out of your life.

Key terms

Manishi: A thoughtful, learned person
Yajna: Sacrifice; any sacred act done in a spirit of offering
Dana: Charity, giving for the good of others
Tapas: Austerity, self-discipline
Doshavat: Defective, or to be abandoned like a fault