Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Liberation Through Renunciation (Chapter 18)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

If the second chapter was a summary of the Gita in anticipation, the final chapter offers a report in retrospect. Key ideas and concepts are revisited and loose ends are tied together. The chapter begins with Sri Krsna responding to Arjuna's question about the difference between sannyasa (renunciation) and tyaga (abandonment). Sri Krstna then proceeds to explain what the two terms are in light of the three gunas sattva, rajas and tamas and the way they influence one's temperament. Important concepts like the varna system, svadharma, techniques of meditation are revisited throughout the chapter. In the end, Sri Krana concludes by asking the seeker to "take refuge in Him" to progress in their spiritual journey.

Preface to the Revised Edition The closing chapter (eighteenth) is a peroration of the beautiful discourse of the inspired Divine and, therefore, is a reiteration of almost all the salient ideas and a summary of the whole Gita - the scripture of mankind.

Niskama karma, in other words, unselfish work is an all-pervasive doctrine of the Gita. Seeing the divine will working through the will of all, the enlightened ones offer all the fruits of action as well as abandon the sense of agency to the Lord. Expecting fruits of action or remuneration for services is natural and unavoidable for a man in the world. By cultivating a special attitude towards work as an offering to God work is turned into worship.