संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् |
त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ||१८-१||
arjuna uvāca .
saṃnyāsasya mahābāho tattvamicchāmi veditum .
tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pṛthakkeśiniṣūdana ||18-1||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, O Hrishikesha, O Keshava, I wish to know the truth about renunciation and about abandonment, each separately.
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः |
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः ||१८-२||
śrībhagavānuvāca .
kāmyānāṃ karmaṇāṃ nyāsaṃ saṃnyāsaṃ kavayo viduḥ .
sarvakarmaphalatyāgaṃ prāhustyāgaṃ vicakṣaṇāḥ ||18-2||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Krishna said: The learned know that giving up actions done out of desire is sannyasa. The wise call the giving up of the fruits of all actions tyaga.
त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः |
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ||१८-३||
tyājyaṃ doṣavadityeke karma prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ .
yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyamiti cāpare ||18-3||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Some thinkers say that action, being full of defects, should be given up. Others say that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be given up.
निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम |
त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः सम्प्रकीर्तितः ||१८-४||
niścayaṃ śṛṇu me tatra tyāge bharatasattama .
tyāgo hi puruṣavyāghra trividhaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ ||18-4||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Hear my firm conclusion on this matter of abandonment, O best of the Bharatas. Abandonment, O best of men, is declared to be of three kinds.
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् |
यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ||१८-५||
yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṃ kāryameva tat .
yajño dānaṃ tapaścaiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām ||18-5||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned. They must be performed. Sacrifice, charity, and austerity purify the wise.
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च |
कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ||१८-६||
etānyapi tu karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalāni ca .
kartavyānīti me pārtha niścitaṃ matamuttamam ||18-6||
Simple English
Primary Translation
But even these actions must be performed by giving up attachment and the desire for results. This is my firm and highest view, O Arjuna.
नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते |
मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः ||१८-७||
niyatasya tu saṃnyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate .
mohāttasya parityāgastāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||18-7||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The abandonment of a prescribed duty is not right. To give it up out of delusion is declared to be tamasic abandonment.
दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् |
स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् ||१८-८||
duḥkhamityeva yatkarma kāyakleśabhayāttyajet .
sa kṛtvā rājasaṃ tyāgaṃ naiva tyāgaphalaṃ labhet ||18-8||
Simple English
Primary Translation
If one gives up an action simply because it is painful or out of fear of physical difficulty, that person has performed rajasic abandonment and will not gain the fruit of abandonment.
कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन |
सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः ||१८-९||
kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṃ kriyate.arjuna .
saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalaṃ caiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ ||18-9||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Whatever prescribed duty is performed simply because it must be done, O Arjuna, giving up attachment and the fruit: that abandonment is considered sattvic.
न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते |
त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः ||१८-१०||
na dveṣṭyakuśalaṃ karma kuśale nānuṣajjate .
tyāgī sattvasamāviṣṭo medhāvī chinnasaṃśayaḥ ||18-10||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The one who abandons with sattvic quality does not hate disagreeable action and is not attached to agreeable action. That person is wise, with doubts resolved.
न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः |
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ||१८-११||
na hi dehabhṛtā śakyaṃ tyaktuṃ karmāṇyaśeṣataḥ .
yastu karmaphalatyāgī sa tyāgītyabhidhīyate ||18-11||
Simple English
Primary Translation
It is not possible for an embodied being to give up actions entirely. But one who gives up the fruits of actions is called one who has truly abandoned.
अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम् |
भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित् ||१८-१२||
aniṣṭamiṣṭaṃ miśraṃ ca trividhaṃ karmaṇaḥ phalam .
bhavatyatyāgināṃ pretya na tu saṃnyāsināṃ kvacit ||18-12||
Simple English
Primary Translation
For those who do not abandon, the threefold fruit of action, the unwanted, the wanted, and the mixed, comes after death. For those who have truly renounced, it does not come at all.
पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे |
साङ्ख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ||१८-१३||
pañcaitāni mahābāho kāraṇāni nibodha me .
sāṅkhye kṛtānte proktāni siddhaye sarvakarmaṇām ||18-13||
Simple English
Primary Translation
O mighty-armed one, learn from me these five factors that the Sankhya system has declared for the accomplishment of all actions.
अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् |
विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम् ||१८-१४||
adhiṣṭhānaṃ tathā kartā karaṇaṃ ca pṛthagvidham .
vividhāśca pṛthakceṣṭā daivaṃ caivātra pañcamam ||18-14||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The body as the seat, the agent, the various organs, the many different kinds of effort, and the divine as the fifth.
शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः |
न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः ||१८-१५||
śarīravāṅmanobhiryatkarma prārabhate naraḥ .
nyāyyaṃ vā viparītaṃ vā pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ ||18-15||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Whatever action a person undertakes with the body, speech, or mind, whether right or wrong, these five are its causes.
तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः |
पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः ||१८-१६||
tatraivaṃ sati kartāramātmānaṃ kevalaṃ tu yaḥ .
paśyatyakṛtabuddhitvānna sa paśyati durmatiḥ ||18-16||
Simple English
Primary Translation
This being the case, one who sees the pure self alone as the agent, due to an undeveloped intellect, does not see rightly. That person has a distorted view.
यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते |
हत्वाऽपि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते ||१८-१७||
yasya nāhaṃkṛto bhāvo buddhiryasya na lipyate .
hatvā.api sa imā.Nllokānna hanti na nibadhyate ||18-17||
Simple English
Primary Translation
One who has no sense of ego, whose intellect is not tainted: even if that person kills all these beings, does not truly kill and is not bound.
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना |
करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसंग्रहः ||१८-१८||
jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ parijñātā trividhā karmacodanā .
karaṇaṃ karma karteti trividhaḥ karmasaṃgrahaḥ ||18-18||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower: these three are the threefold impulse to action. The instrument, the action, and the agent: these are the threefold basis of action.
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ताच त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः |
प्रोच्यते गुणसङ्ख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ||१८-१९||
jñānaṃ karma ca kartāca tridhaiva guṇabhedataḥ .
procyate guṇasaṅkhyāne yathāvacchṛṇu tānyapi ||18-19||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Knowledge, action, and agent are each declared to be of three kinds according to the differences of the gunas in the teaching about them. Hear those too as they are.
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते |
अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ||१८-२०||
sarvabhūteṣu yenaikaṃ bhāvamavyayamīkṣate .
avibhaktaṃ vibhakteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi sāttvikam ||18-20||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Know that knowledge to be sattvic by which one sees a single, undivided, imperishable being within all the diverse individual beings.
पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् |
वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ||१८-२१||
pṛthaktvena tu yajjñānaṃ nānābhāvānpṛthagvidhān .
vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam ||18-21||
Simple English
Primary Translation
But know that knowledge to be rajasic which perceives many distinct entities of various kinds among all beings as separate from one another.
यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् |
अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||१८-२२||
yattu kṛtsnavadekasminkārye saktamahaitukam .
atattvārthavadalpaṃ ca tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||18-22||
Simple English
Primary Translation
But that knowledge is called tamasic which clings to one single result as if it were everything, which is without rational basis, without concern for truth, and small.
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम् |
अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते ||१८-२३||
niyataṃ saṅgarahitamarāgadveṣataḥ kṛtam .
aphalaprepsunā karma yattatsāttvikamucyate ||18-23||
Simple English
Primary Translation
An action that is prescribed, performed without attachment, without desire or aversion, by one who seeks no fruit: that action is called sattvic.
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहंकारेण वा पुनः |
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ||१८-२४||
yattu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṃkāreṇa vā punaḥ .
kriyate bahulāyāsaṃ tadrājasamudāhṛtam ||18-24||
Simple English
Primary Translation
But action performed with great effort by one who desires results, or by one acting from ego: that is called rajasic.
अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् |
मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ||१८-२५||
anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsāmanapekṣya ca pauruṣam .
mohādārabhyate karma yattattāmasamucyate ||18-25||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Action undertaken out of delusion, without regard for its consequences, harm caused, and one's own capacity: that is called tamasic.
मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः |
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकारः कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते ||१८-२६||
muktasaṅgo.anahaṃvādī dhṛtyutsāhasamanvitaḥ .
siddhyasiddhyornirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvika ucyate ||18-26||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The agent who is free from attachment, who does not speak of ego, who is endowed with steadiness and resolve, who is unchanged by success or failure: that agent is called sattvic.
रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः |
हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः ||१८-२७||
rāgī karmaphalaprepsurlubdho hiṃsātmako.aśuciḥ .
harṣaśokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||18-27||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The agent who is passionate, who desires the fruits of actions, who is greedy, harmful in nature, unclean, and moved by joy and grief: that agent is called rajasic.
अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः |
विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते ||१८-२८||
ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko.alasaḥ .
viṣādī dīrghasūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate ||18-28||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The agent who is undisciplined, crude, stubborn, dishonest, malicious, lazy, despondent, and slow to act: that agent is called tamasic.
बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु |
प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय ||१८-२९||
buddherbhedaṃ dhṛteścaiva guṇatastrividhaṃ śṛṇu .
procyamānamaśeṣeṇa pṛthaktvena dhanañjaya ||18-29||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Hear the threefold distinction of intellect and also of steadiness according to the gunas, stated fully and separately, O Arjuna.
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये |
बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ||१८-३०||
pravṛttiṃ ca nivṛttiṃ ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye .
bandhaṃ mokṣaṃ ca yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī ||18-30||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The intellect that knows action from withdrawal, what should be done from what should not, fear from fearlessness, and bondage from liberation: that intellect is sattvic, O Arjuna.
यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च |
अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ राजसी ||१८-३१||
yayā dharmamadharmaṃ ca kāryaṃ cākāryameva ca .
ayathāvatprajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||18-31||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The intellect by which one wrongly understands right conduct and wrong conduct, and what should be done and what should not be done: that intellect is rajasic, O Arjuna.
अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसावृता |
सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धिः सा पार्थ तामसी ||१८-३२||
adharmaṃ dharmamiti yā manyate tamasāvṛtā .
sarvārthānviparītāṃśca buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ||18-32||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The intellect that is covered by darkness and takes wrong to be right, and sees all things upside down: that intellect is tamasic, O Arjuna.
धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः |
योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ||१८-३३||
dhṛtyā yayā dhārayate manaḥprāṇendriyakriyāḥ .
yogenāvyabhicāriṇyā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī ||18-33||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The steadiness by which, through unwavering yoga, one holds the functions of the mind, breath, and senses: that steadiness is sattvic, O Arjuna.
यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन |
प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ||१८-३४||
yayā tu dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā dhārayate.arjuna .
prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||18-34||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The steadiness by which one holds to duty, pleasure, and wealth, desiring their fruits as occasions arise: that steadiness is rajasic, O Arjuna.
यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च |
न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी ||१८-३५||
yayā svapnaṃ bhayaṃ śokaṃ viṣādaṃ madameva ca .
na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ||18-35||
Simple English
Primary Translation
The steadiness by which a person of corrupt intellect does not let go of sleep, fear, grief, despondency, and also arrogance: that steadiness is tamasic, O Arjuna.
सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ |
अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति ||१८-३६||
sukhaṃ tvidānīṃ trividhaṃ śṛṇu me bharatarṣabha .
abhyāsādramate yatra duḥkhāntaṃ ca nigacchati ||18-36||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Now hear from me the three kinds of happiness, O best of the Bharatas. That in which one rejoices through practice and comes to the end of suffering,
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् |
तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ||१८-३७||
yattadagre viṣamiva pariṇāme.amṛtopamam .
tatsukhaṃ sāttvikaṃ proktamātmabuddhiprasādajam ||18-37||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Which is like poison at first but like nectar at the end, and which arises from the clarity of one's own intellect: that happiness is called sattvic.
विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् |
परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ||१८-३८||
viṣayendriyasaṃyogādyattadagre.amṛtopamam .
pariṇāme viṣamiva tatsukhaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ||18-38||
Simple English
Primary Translation
That happiness arising from the contact of the senses with their objects, which is like nectar at first but like poison at the end: that is remembered as rajasic.
यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः |
निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||१८-३९||
yadagre cānubandhe ca sukhaṃ mohanamātmanaḥ .
nidrālasyapramādotthaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||18-39||
Simple English
Primary Translation
That happiness which deludes the self both at the beginning and at the end, which arises from sleep, laziness, and negligence: that is declared tamasic.
न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः |
सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ||१८-४०||
na tadasti pṛthivyāṃ vā divi deveṣu vā punaḥ .
sattvaṃ prakṛtijairmuktaṃ yadebhiḥ syāttribhirguṇaiḥ ||18-40||
Simple English
Primary Translation
There is no being on earth or among the gods in heaven that is free from these three gunas born of nature.
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप |
कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ||१८-४१||
brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ śūdrāṇāṃ ca parantapa .
karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ ||18-41||
Simple English
Primary Translation
O scorcher of enemies, the duties of the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, and of the Shudras too, are divided according to the gunas arising from their own nature.
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च |
ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ||१८-४२||
śamo damastapaḥ śaucaṃ kṣāntirārjavameva ca .
jñānaṃ vijñānamāstikyaṃ brahmakarma svabhāvajam ||18-42||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Tranquility, self-restraint, austerity, purity, patience, uprightness, knowledge, practical wisdom, and faith in a higher reality: these are the natural duties of a Brahmana.
शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् |
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ||१८-४३||
śauryaṃ tejo dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpyapalāyanam .
dānamīśvarabhāvaśca kṣātraṃ karma svabhāvajam ||18-43||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Courage, vigor, steadiness, skill, not fleeing from battle, generosity, and the quality of leadership: these are the natural duties of a Kshatriya.
कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् |
परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम् ||१८-४४||
kṛṣigaurakṣyavāṇijyaṃ vaiśyakarma svabhāvajam .
paricaryātmakaṃ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāvajam ||18-44||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Agriculture, cattle-tending, and trade are the natural duties of a Vaishya. Service is the natural duty of a Shudra.
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः |
स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु ||१८-४५||
sve sve karmaṇyabhirataḥ saṃsiddhiṃ labhate naraḥ .
svakarmanirataḥ siddhiṃ yathā vindati tacchṛṇu ||18-45||
Simple English
Primary Translation
A person attains fulfillment by being devoted to their own duty. Hear how one who is devoted to their own duty finds fulfillment.
यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् |
स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ||१८-४६||
yataḥ pravṛttirbhūtānāṃ yena sarvamidaṃ tatam .
svakarmaṇā tamabhyarcya siddhiṃ vindati mānavaḥ ||18-46||
Simple English
Primary Translation
By worshiping through their own duty the one from whom all beings arise, by whom all this is pervaded, a person attains fulfillment.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ||१८-४७||
śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitāt .
svabhāvaniyataṃ karma kurvannāpnoti kilbiṣam ||18-47||
Simple English
Primary Translation
One's own duty, though imperfectly done, is better than the duty of another well performed. By doing the duty that comes from one's own nature, one does not incur fault.
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् |
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ||१८-४८||
sahajaṃ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet .
sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ ||18-48||
Simple English
Primary Translation
O Arjuna, one should not give up the duty to which one is born, even if it has imperfections. All undertakings are surrounded by imperfection, as fire is by smoke.
असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः |
नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां संन्यासेनाधिगच्छति ||१८-४९||
asaktabuddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigataspṛhaḥ .
naiṣkarmyasiddhiṃ paramāṃ saṃnyāsenādhigacchati ||18-49||
Simple English
Primary Translation
One whose intellect is unattached to everything, who has mastered the self and is free from desire, attains through renunciation the supreme perfection of freedom from the results of action.
सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे |
समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा ||१८-५०||
siddhiṃ prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me .
samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣṭhā jñānasya yā parā ||18-50||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Learn from me briefly, O Arjuna, how one who has attained that perfection reaches Brahman, which is the highest state of knowledge.
बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च |
शब्दादीन्विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च ||१८-५१||
buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto dhṛtyātmānaṃ niyamya ca .
śabdādīnviṣayāṃstyaktvā rāgadveṣau vyudasya ca ||18-51||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Endowed with pure intellect, restraining oneself with steadiness, giving up the objects of sense beginning with sound, and casting aside desire and aversion,
विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः |
ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः ||१८-५२||
viviktasevī laghvāśī yatavākkāyamānasaḥ .
dhyānayogaparo nityaṃ vairāgyaṃ samupāśritaḥ ||18-52||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Dwelling in solitude, eating lightly, with speech, body, and mind disciplined, always intent on the yoga of meditation, taking refuge in dispassion,
अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् |
विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||१८-५३||
ahaṃkāraṃ balaṃ darpaṃ kāmaṃ krodhaṃ parigraham .
vimucya nirmamaḥ śānto brahmabhūyāya kalpate ||18-53||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Free from ego, force, pride, desire, anger, and accumulation, without any sense of possessiveness, peaceful: such a person is fit to become Brahman.
ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति |
समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ||१८-५४||
brahmabhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati .
samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu madbhaktiṃ labhate parām ||18-54||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Having become Brahman, serene in the self, one neither grieves nor desires. Seeing all beings equally, one attains supreme devotion to me.
भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः |
ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ||१८-५५||
bhaktyā māmabhijānāti yāvānyaścāsmi tattvataḥ .
tato māṃ tattvato jñātvā viśate tadanantaram ||18-55||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Through devotion one comes to know me truly, what I am and how great I am. Then, having known me in truth, one enters into me without delay.
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः |
मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ||१८-५६||
sarvakarmāṇyapi sadā kurvāṇo madvyapāśrayaḥ .
matprasādādavāpnoti śāśvataṃ padamavyayam ||18-56||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Even while always performing all actions, one who takes refuge in me reaches the eternal, unchanging state through my grace.
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः |
बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ||१८-५७||
cetasā sarvakarmāṇi mayi saṃnyasya matparaḥ .
buddhiyogamupāśritya maccittaḥ satataṃ bhava ||18-57||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Surrender all actions to me in your mind, make me your highest goal, rely on the yoga of discernment, and keep your mind fixed on me always.
मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि |
अथ चेत्त्वमहंकारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ||१८-५८||
maccittaḥ sarvadurgāṇi matprasādāttariṣyasi .
atha cettvamahaṃkārānna śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi ||18-58||
Simple English
Primary Translation
With your mind fixed on me you will pass through all difficulties by my grace. But if out of ego you do not listen, you will be lost.
यदहंकारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे |
मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ||१८-५९||
yadahaṃkāramāśritya na yotsya iti manyase .
mithyaiṣa vyavasāyaste prakṛtistvāṃ niyokṣyati ||18-59||
Simple English
Primary Translation
If, relying on ego, you think 'I will not fight', that resolve of yours is false. Your own nature will compel you.
स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा |
कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोपि तत् ||१८-६०||
svabhāvajena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā .
kartuṃ necchasi yanmohātkariṣyasyavaśopi tat ||18-60||
Simple English
Primary Translation
O Arjuna, bound by your own duty born of your nature, you will helplessly do the very thing that you do not wish to do out of confusion.
ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति |
भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ||१८-६१||
īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ hṛddeśe.arjuna tiṣṭhati .
bhrāmayansarvabhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā ||18-61||
Simple English
Primary Translation
O Arjuna, the Lord dwells in the heart of all beings, causing all beings to revolve by his power of illusion, as if they were mounted on a machine.
तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत |
तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ||१८-६२||
tameva śaraṇaṃ gaccha sarvabhāvena bhārata .
tatprasādātparāṃ śāntiṃ sthānaṃ prāpsyasi śāśvatam ||18-62||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Take refuge in him alone with your whole being, O Arjuna. Through his grace you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode.
इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया |
विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ||१८-६३||
iti te jñānamākhyātaṃ guhyādguhyataraṃ mayā .
vimṛśyaitadaśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru ||18-63||
Simple English
Primary Translation
I have taught you knowledge that is more secret than any secret. Reflect on it fully and then do as you wish.
सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः शृणु मे परमं वचः |
इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ||१८-६४||
sarvaguhyatamaṃ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṃ vacaḥ .
iṣṭo.asi me dṛḍhamiti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam ||18-64||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Hear again my highest and most secret word of all. You are deeply dear to me, and so I will tell you what is good for you.
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु |
मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ||१८-६५||
manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṃ namaskuru .
māmevaiṣyasi satyaṃ te pratijāne priyo.asi me ||18-65||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Fix your mind on me. Be devoted to me. Worship me. Bow to me. You will come to me alone. I promise you truly, for you are dear to me.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ||१८-६६||
sarvadharmānparityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja .
ahaṃ tvāṃ sarvapāpebhyo mokṣyayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ ||18-66||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Abandon all forms of duty and come to me alone for refuge. I will free you from all wrongs. Do not grieve.
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन |
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ||१८-६७||
idaṃ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana .
na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṃ na ca māṃ yo.abhyasūyati ||18-67||
Simple English
Primary Translation
This must never be taught to one who has no discipline, nor to one who is not devoted, nor to one who has no wish to hear, nor to one who speaks ill of me.
य इदं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति |
भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ||१८-६८||
ya idaṃ paramaṃ guhyaṃ madbhakteṣvabhidhāsyati .
bhaktiṃ mayi parāṃ kṛtvā māmevaiṣyatyasaṃśayaḥ ||18-68||
Simple English
Primary Translation
One who teaches this highest secret to those who are devoted to me, having shown supreme devotion to me, will come to me without doubt.
न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः |
भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि ||१८-६९||
na ca tasmānmanuṣyeṣu kaścinme priyakṛttamaḥ .
bhavitā na ca me tasmādanyaḥ priyataro bhuvi ||18-69||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Among all people there is no one who does more of what is dear to me than that person. And there will be none on earth more beloved by me.
अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः |
ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ||१८-७०||
adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṃ dharmyaṃ saṃvādamāvayoḥ .
jñānayajñena tenāhamiṣṭaḥ syāmiti me matiḥ ||18-70||
Simple English
Primary Translation
And the one who studies this sacred exchange between us: I hold that such a person worships me through the sacrifice of knowledge. This is my conviction.
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः |
सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ||१८-७१||
śraddhāvānanasūyaśca śṛṇuyādapi yo naraḥ .
so.api muktaḥ śubhā.Nllokānprāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām ||18-71||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Even a person who listens to this with faith and without ill will, that person too, set free, will attain the fortunate worlds of those who have done good deeds.
कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा |
कच्चिदज्ञानसम्मोहः प्रनष्टस्ते धनञ्जय ||१८-७२||
kaccidetacchrutaṃ pārtha tvayaikāgreṇa cetasā .
kaccidajñānasammohaḥ pranaṣṭaste dhanañjaya ||18-72||
Simple English
Primary Translation
O Arjuna, have you heard this with a focused mind? O Arjuna, has your delusion born of ignorance been destroyed?
नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत |
स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ||१८-७३||
arjuna uvāca .
naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtirlabdhā tvatprasādānmayācyuta .
sthito.asmi gatasandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṃ tava ||18-73||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Arjuna said: O Achyuta, my delusion is destroyed and my memory has been restored by your grace. I stand firm, my doubts gone. I will do as you say.
इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः |
संवादमिममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् ||१८-७४||
sañjaya uvāca .
ityahaṃ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ .
saṃvādamimamaśrauṣamadbhutaṃ romaharṣaṇam ||18-74||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Sanjaya said: Thus I heard this wondrous conversation between Vasudeva and the great-souled Arjuna, which makes the hair stand on end.
व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम् |
योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम् ||१८-७५||
vyāsaprasādācchrutavānetadguhyamahaṃ param .
yogaṃ yogeśvarātkṛṣṇātsākṣātkathayataḥ svayam ||18-75||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Through the grace of Vyasa I heard this supreme and secret yoga directly from Krishna, the Lord of yoga, as he himself was speaking it.
राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम् |
केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः ||१८-७६||
rājansaṃsmṛtya saṃsmṛtya saṃvādamimamadbhutam .
keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṃ hṛṣyāmi ca muhurmuhuḥ ||18-76||
Simple English
Primary Translation
O king, remembering again and again this wonderful and holy exchange between Keshava and Arjuna, I rejoice moment by moment.
तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः |
विस्मयो मे महान् राजन्हृष्यामि च पुनः पुनः ||१८-७७||
tacca saṃsmṛtya saṃsmṛtya rūpamatyadbhutaṃ hareḥ .
vismayo me mahān rājanhṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ ||18-77||
Simple English
Primary Translation
And remembering again and again that supremely wonderful form of Hari, I am filled with great wonder, O king, and I rejoice again and again.
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः |
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ||१८-७८||
yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdharaḥ .
tatra śrīrvijayo bhūtirdhruvā nītirmatirmama ||18-78||
Simple English
Primary Translation
Wherever Krishna, the Lord of yoga, is, and wherever Arjuna the archer is, there will be fortune, victory, prosperity, and unwavering right conduct. That is my conviction.