Srimad Bhagawad Gita Chapter 18
Gita
tap any word for its meaning
- verse 1ॐ श्री परमात्मने नमःअथ अष्टादशोऽध्यायः ।मोक्षसन्न्यासयोगःōṃ śrī paramātmanē namaḥatha aṣṭādaśō'dhyāyaḥ ।mōkṣasannyāsayōgaḥmeaning
[Chapter heading] Om, salutation to the Supreme Self. Chapter Eighteen: the Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation.
- verse 2अर्जुन उवाचसन्न्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् ।त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ॥ 1 ॥arjuna uvāchasannyāsasya mahābāhō tattvamichChāmi vēditum ।tyāgasya cha hṛṣīkēśa pṛthakkēśiniṣūdana ॥ 1 ॥meaning
I desire, O mighty-armed, to know severally the essence of renunciation, O Hrishîkesha, and of relinquishment, O Keshinishûdana.
- verse 3श्रीभगवानुवाचकाम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं सन्न्यासं कवयो विदुः ।सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः ॥ 2 ॥śrībhagavānuvāchakāmyānāṃ karmaṇāṃ nyāsaṃ sannyāsaṃ kavayō viduḥ ।sarvakarmaphalatyāgaṃ prāhustyāgaṃ vichakṣaṇāḥ ॥ 2 ॥meaning
Sages have known as renunciation the renouncing of works with desire; the relinquishing of the fruit of all actions is called relinquishment by the wise.
- verse 4त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः ।यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ॥ 3 ॥tyājyaṃ dōṣavadityēkē karma prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ ।yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyamiti chāparē ॥ 3 ॥meaning
"Action should be relinquished as an evil," declare some thoughtful men; "acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be relinquished," say others.
- verse 5निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम ।त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः सम्प्रकीर्तितः ॥ 4 ॥niśchayaṃ śṛṇu mē tatra tyāgē bharatasattama ।tyāgō hi puruṣavyāghra trividhaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ ॥ 4 ॥meaning
Hear my conclusions as to that relinquishment, O best of the Bhâratas; since relinquishment, O tiger of men, has been explained as threefold.
- verse 6यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् ।यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ॥ 5 ॥yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṃ kāryamēva tat ।yajñō dānaṃ tapaśchaiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām ॥ 5 ॥meaning
Acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be relinquished, but should be performed;sacrifice, gift and also austerity are the purifiers of the intelligent.
- verse 7एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च ।कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ॥ 6 ॥ētānyapi tu karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalāni cha ।kartavyānīti mē pārtha niśchitaṃ matamuttamam ॥ 6 ॥meaning
But even these actions should be done leaving aside attachment and fruit, O Pârtha; that is my certain and best belief.
- verse 8नियतस्य तु सन्न्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते ।मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः ॥ 7 ॥niyatasya tu sannyāsaḥ karmaṇō nōpapadyatē ।mōhāttasya parityāgastāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ॥ 7 ॥meaning
Verily renunciation of actions that are prescribed is not proper; the relinquishment thereof from delusion is said to be of darkness.
- verse 9दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् ।स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् ॥ 8 ॥duḥkhamityēva yatkarma kāyaklēśabhayāttyajēt ।sa kṛtvā rājasaṃ tyāgaṃ naiva tyāgaphalaṃ labhēt ॥ 8 ॥meaning
He who relinquisheth an action from fear of physical suffering, saying "Painful," thus performing a passionate relinquishment, obtaineth not the fruit of relinquishment.
- verse 10कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन ।सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः ॥ 9 ॥kāryamityēva yatkarma niyataṃ kriyatē'rjuna ।saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalaṃ chaiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttvikō mataḥ ॥ 9 ॥meaning
He who performeth a prescribed action, saying, "it ought to be done," O Arjuna, relinquishing attachment and also fruit, that relinquishment is regarded as pure.
- verse 11न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते ।त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः ॥ 10 ॥na dvēṣṭyakuśalaṃ karma kuśalē nānuṣajjatē ।tyāgī sattvasamāviṣṭō mēdhāvī Chinnasaṃśayaḥ ॥ 10 ॥meaning
The relinquisher pervaded by purity, intelligent and with doubts cut away, hateth not unpleasurable action nor is attached to pleasurable.
- verse 12न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः ।यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ॥ 11 ॥na hi dēhabhṛtā śakyaṃ tyaktuṃ karmāṇyaśēṣataḥ ।yastu karmaphalatyāgī sa tyāgītyabhidhīyatē ॥ 11 ॥meaning
Nor indeed can embodied beings completely relinquish action; verily he who relinquisheth the fruit of action, he is said to be a relinquisher.
- verse 13अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम् ।भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु सन्न्यासिनां क्वचित् ॥ 12 ॥aniṣṭamiṣṭaṃ miśraṃ cha trividhaṃ karmaṇaḥ phalam ।bhavatyatyāgināṃ prētya na tu sannyāsināṃ kvachit ॥ 12 ॥meaning
Good, evil and mixed—threefold is the fruit of action hereafter for the non-relinquisher; but there is none ever for the renouncer.
- verse 14पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे ।साङ्ख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥ 13 ॥pañchaitāni mahābāhō kāraṇāni nibōdha mē ।sāṅkhyē kṛtāntē prōktāni siddhayē sarvakarmaṇām ॥ 13 ॥meaning
These five causes, O mighty-armed, learn of Me as declared in the Sâñkhya system for the accomplishment of all actions:
- verse 15अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् ।विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम् ॥ 14 ॥adhiṣṭhānaṃ tathā kartā karaṇaṃ cha pṛthagvidham ।vividhāścha pṛthakchēṣṭā daivaṃ chaivātra pañchamam ॥ 14 ॥meaning
The seat of action, the doer, the various instruments, the many distinct acts — and the divine as the fifth: these are the five causes declared in the Sankhya teaching for the accomplishment of all action.
- verse 16शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः ।न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः ॥ 15 ॥śarīravāṅmanōbhiryatkarma prārabhatē naraḥ ।nyāyyaṃ vā viparītaṃ vā pañchaitē tasya hētavaḥ ॥ 15 ॥meaning
Whatever action a man performeth by his body, speech and mind, whether right or the reverse, these five are the cause thereof.
- verse 17तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः ।पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः ॥ 16 ॥tatraivaṃ sati kartāramātmānaṃ kēvalaṃ tu yaḥ ।paśyatyakṛtabuddhitvānna sa paśyati durmatiḥ ॥ 16 ॥meaning
That being so, he verily who—owing to untrained Reason—looketh on his Self, which is isolated, as the actor, he of perverted intelligence, seeth not.
- verse 18यस्य नाहङ्कृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते ।हत्वाऽपि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते ॥ 17 ॥yasya nāhaṅkṛtō bhāvō buddhiryasya na lipyatē ।hatvā'pi sa imāँllōkānna hanti na nibadhyatē ॥ 17 ॥meaning
He who is free from the egoistic notion, whose Reason is not affected, though he slay these peoples, he slayeth not, nor is bound.
- verse 19ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना ।करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसङ्ग्रहः ॥ 18 ॥jñānaṃ jñēyaṃ parijñātā trividhā karmachōdanā ।karaṇaṃ karma kartēti trividhaḥ karmasaṅgrahaḥ ॥ 18 ॥meaning
Knowledge, the knowable and the knower,the threefold impulse to action; the organ, the action, the actor, the threefold constituents of action.
- verse 20ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः ।प्रोच्यते गुणसङ्ख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥ 19 ॥jñānaṃ karma cha kartā cha tridhaiva guṇabhēdataḥ ।prōchyatē guṇasaṅkhyānē yathāvachChṛṇu tānyapi ॥ 19 ॥meaning
Knowledge, action and actor in the category of qualities are also said to be severally threefold, from the difference of qualities; hear thou duly these also.
- verse 21सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते ।अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ॥ 20 ॥sarvabhūtēṣu yēnaikaṃ bhāvamavyayamīkṣatē ।avibhaktaṃ vibhaktēṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi sāttvikam ॥ 20 ॥meaning
That by which one indestructible Being is seen in all beings, inseparate in the separated, know thou that knowledge as pure.
- verse 22पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् ।वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ॥ 21 ॥pṛthaktvēna tu yajjñānaṃ nānābhāvānpṛthagvidhān ।vētti sarvēṣu bhūtēṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam ॥ 21 ॥meaning
But that knowledge which regardeth theseveral manifold existences in all beings as separate, that knowledge know thou as of passion;
- verse 23यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् ।अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ 22 ॥yattu kṛtsnavadēkasminkāryē saktamahaitukam ।atattvārthavadalpaṃ cha tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥ 22 ॥meaning
While that which clingeth to each one thing as if it were the whole, without reason, without grasping the reality, narrow, that is declared to be dark.
- verse 24नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम् ।अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते ॥ 23 ॥niyataṃ saṅgarahitamarāgadvēṣataḥ kṛtam ।aphalaprēpsunā karma yattatsāttvikamuchyatē ॥ 23 ॥meaning
An action which is ordained, done by one undesirous of fruit, devoid of attachment, without love or hate, that is called pure.
- verse 25यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः ।क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥ 24 ॥yattu kāmēpsunā karma sāhaṅkārēṇa vā punaḥ ।kriyatē bahulāyāsaṃ tadrājasamudāhṛtam ॥ 24 ॥meaning
But that action that is done by one longing fordesires, or again with egoism, or with much effort, that is declared to be passionate.
- verse 26अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् ।मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ॥ 25 ॥anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsāmanapēkṣya cha pauruṣam ।mōhādārabhyatē karma yattattāmasamuchyatē ॥ 25 ॥meaning
The action undertaken from delusion, without regard to capacity and consequences—loss and injury to others—that is declared to be dark.
- verse 27मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः ।सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकारः कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते ॥ 26 ॥muktasaṅgō'nahaṃvādī dhṛtyutsāhasamanvitaḥ ।siddhyasiddhyōrnirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvika uchyatē ॥ 26 ॥meaning
Liberated from attachment, not egoistic, endued with firmness and confidence, unchanged by success or failure, that actor is called pure.
- verse 28रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः ।हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः ॥ 27 ॥rāgī karmaphalaprēpsurlubdhō hiṃsātmakō'śuchiḥ ।harṣaśōkānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ॥ 27 ॥meaning
Impassioned, desiring to obtain the fruit of actions, greedy, harmful, impure, moved by joy and sorrow, such an actor is pronounced passionate.
- verse 29अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः ।विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते ॥ 28 ॥ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śaṭhō naiṣkṛtikō'lasaḥ ।viṣādī dīrghasūtrī cha kartā tāmasa uchyatē ॥ 28 ॥meaning
Discordant, vulgar, stubborn, cheating, malicious, indolent, despairful, procrastinating, that actor is called dark.
- verse 30बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु ।प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय ॥ 29 ॥buddhērbhēdaṃ dhṛtēśchaiva guṇatastrividhaṃ śṛṇu ।prōchyamānamaśēṣēṇa pṛthaktvēna dhanañjaya ॥ 29 ॥meaning
The division of Reason and of firmness also, threefold according to the qualities, hear thou related, unreservedly and severally, O Dhananjaya.
- verse 31प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये ।बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥ 30 ॥pravṛttiṃ cha nivṛttiṃ cha kāryākāryē bhayābhayē ।bandhaṃ mōkṣaṃ cha yā vētti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī ॥ 30 ॥meaning
That which knoweth energy and abstinence, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, fear and fearlessness, bondage and liberation, that Reason is pure, O Pârtha.
- verse 32यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च ।अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥ 31 ॥yayā dharmamadharmaṃ cha kāryaṃ chākāryamēva cha ।ayathāvatprajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ॥ 31 ॥meaning
That by which one understandeth away Right and Wrong and also what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, that Reason, O Pârtha, is passionate.
- verse 33अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसावृता ।सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥ 32 ॥adharmaṃ dharmamiti yā manyatē tamasāvṛtā ।sarvārthānviparītāṃścha buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ॥ 32 ॥meaning
The intellect that, veiled in darkness, sees wrong as right and perceives all things inverted — that intellect, O Partha, is of tamas.
- verse 34धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः ।योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ॥ 33 ॥dhṛtyā yayā dhārayatē manaḥprāṇēndriyakriyāḥ ।yōgēnāvyabhichāriṇyā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī ॥ 33 ॥meaning
The unwavering firmness by which, through Yoga, one restraineth the activity of the mind,of the life breaths and of the sense-organs, that firmness, O Pârtha, is pure.
- verse 35यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन ।प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥ 34 ॥yayā tu dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā dhārayatē'rjuna ।prasaṅgēna phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ॥ 34 ॥meaning
But the firmness, O Arjuna, by which, from attachment desirous of fruit, one holdeth fast duty, desire and wealth, that firmness, O Pârtha, is passionate.
- verse 36यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च ।न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥ 35 ॥yayā svapnaṃ bhayaṃ śōkaṃ viṣādaṃ madamēva cha ।na vimuñchati durmēdhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ॥ 35 ॥meaning
That by which one from stupidity doth not abandon sleep, fear, grief, despair, and also vanity, that firmness, O Pârtha, is dark.
- verse 37सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ ।अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति ॥ 36 ॥sukhaṃ tvidānīṃ trividhaṃ śṛṇu mē bharatarṣabha ।abhyāsādramatē yatra duḥkhāntaṃ cha nigachChati ॥ 36 ॥meaning
And now the threefold kinds of pleasure hearthou from Me, O bull of the Bhâratas. That in which one by practice rejoiceth, and which putteth an end to pain;
- verse 38यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् ।तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ॥ 37 ॥yattadagrē viṣamiva pariṇāmē'mṛtōpamam ।tatsukhaṃ sāttvikaṃ prōktamātmabuddhiprasādajam ॥ 37 ॥meaning
Which at first is as venom but in the end is as nectar; that pleasure is said to be pure, born of the blissful knowledge of the Self.
- verse 39विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् ।परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ 38 ॥viṣayēndriyasaṃyōgādyattadagrē'mṛtōpamam ।pariṇāmē viṣamiva tatsukhaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ॥ 38 ॥meaning
That which from the union of the senses with their objects at first is as nectar, but in the end is like venom, that pleasure is accounted passionate.
- verse 40यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः ।निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ 39 ॥yadagrē chānubandhē cha sukhaṃ mōhanamātmanaḥ ।nidrālasyapramādōtthaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥ 39 ॥meaning
That pleasure which both at first and afterwards is delusive of the self, arising from sleep,indolence and heedlessness, that is declared dark.
- verse 41न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः ।सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ॥ 40 ॥na tadasti pṛthivyāṃ vā divi dēvēṣu vā punaḥ ।sattvaṃ prakṛtijairmuktaṃ yadēbhiḥ syāttribhirguṇaiḥ ॥ 40 ॥meaning
There is not an entity, either on the earth or again in heaven among the Shining Ones, that is liberated from these three qualities, born of Matter.
- verse 42ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप ।कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥ 41 ॥brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ śūdrāṇāṃ cha parantapa ।karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ ॥ 41 ॥meaning
Of Brâhmanas, Kshattriyas, Vaishyas and Shûdras, O Parantapa, the duties have been distributed, according to the qualities born of their own natures.
- verse 43शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च ।ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ॥ 42 ॥śamō damastapaḥ śauchaṃ kṣāntirārjavamēva cha ।jñānaṃ vijñānamāstikyaṃ brahmakarma svabhāvajam ॥ 42 ॥meaning
Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness and also uprightness, wisdom, knowledge, belief in God, are the Brâhmana duty, born of his own nature.
- verse 44शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् ।दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥ 43 ॥śauryaṃ tējō dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ yuddhē chāpyapalāyanam ।dānamīśvarabhāvaścha kṣātraṃ karma svabhāvajam ॥ 43 ॥meaning
Prowess, splendour, firmness, dexterity, and also not flying from battle, generosity, the nature of a ruler, are the Kshattriya duty, born of his own nature.
- verse 45कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् ।परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम् ॥ 44 ॥kṛṣigaurakṣyavāṇijyaṃ vaiśyakarma svabhāvajam ।paricharyātmakaṃ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāvajam ॥ 44 ॥meaning
Ploughing, protection of kine, and trade are the Vaishya duty, born of his own nature. Action of the nature of service is the Shûdra duty, born of his own nature.
- verse 46स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः ।स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु ॥ 45 ॥svē svē karmaṇyabhirataḥ saṃsiddhiṃ labhatē naraḥ ।svakarmanirataḥ siddhiṃ yathā vindati tachChṛṇu ॥ 45 ॥meaning
Man reacheth perfection by each being intent on his own duty. Listen thou how perfection is won by him who is intent on his own duty.
- verse 47यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ।स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ॥ 46 ॥yataḥ pravṛttirbhūtānāṃ yēna sarvamidaṃ tatam ।svakarmaṇā tamabhyarchya siddhiṃ vindati mānavaḥ ॥ 46 ॥meaning
He from whom is the emanation of beings, by Whom all This is pervaded, by worshipping Him in his own duty a man winneth perfection.
- verse 48श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मोत्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ 47 ॥śrēyānsvadharmō viguṇaḥ paradharmōtsvanuṣṭhitāt ।svabhāvaniyataṃ karma kurvannāpnōti kilbiṣam ॥ 47 ॥meaning
Better is one's own duty though destitute of merits than the well-executed duty of another.He who doeth the duty laid down by his own nature incurreth not sin.
- verse 49सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥ 48 ॥sahajaṃ karma kauntēya sadōṣamapi na tyajēt ।sarvārambhā hi dōṣēṇa dhūmēnāgnirivāvṛtāḥ ॥ 48 ॥meaning
Congenital duty, O son of Kunti, though defective, ought not to be abandoned. All undertakings indeed are clouded by defects as fire by smoke.
- verse 50असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः ।नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां सन्न्यासेनाधिगच्छति ॥ 49 ॥asaktabuddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigataspṛhaḥ ।naiṣkarmyasiddhiṃ paramāṃ sannyāsēnādhigachChati ॥ 49 ॥meaning
He whose Reason is everywhere unattached, the self-subdued, dead to desires, he goeth by renunciation to the supreme perfection of freedom from obligation.
- verse 51सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे ।समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा ॥ 50 ॥siddhiṃ prāptō yathā brahma tathāpnōti nibōdha mē ।samāsēnaiva kauntēya niṣṭhā jñānasya yā parā ॥ 50 ॥meaning
How he who hath attained perfection obtaineth the Eternal, that highest state of wisdom, learn thou from Me only succinctly, O Kaunteya.
- verse 52बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च ।शब्दादीन्विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च ॥ 51 ॥buddhyā viśuddhayā yuktō dhṛtyātmānaṃ niyamya cha ।śabdādīnviṣayāṃstyaktvā rāgadvēṣau vyudasya cha ॥ 51 ॥meaning
United to this Reason, purified, controlling the self by firmness, having abandoned sound and the other objects of the senses, having laid aside passion and malice,
- verse 53विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः ।ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः ॥ 52 ॥viviktasēvī laghvāśī yatavākkāyamānasaḥ ।dhyānayōgaparō nityaṃ vairāgyaṃ samupāśritaḥ ॥ 52 ॥meaning
Dwelling in solitude, abstemious, speech, body and mind subdued, constantly fixed in meditation and yoga, taking refuge in dispassion,
- verse 54अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् ।विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥ 53 ॥ahaṅkāraṃ balaṃ darpaṃ kāmaṃ krōdhaṃ parigraham ।vimuchya nirmamaḥ śāntō brahmabhūyāya kalpatē ॥ 53 ॥meaning
Having cast aside egoism, violence, arrogance, desire, wrath, covetousness, selfless and peaceful—he is fit to become the Eternal.
- verse 55ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति ।समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ॥ 54 ॥brahmabhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śōchati na kāṅkṣati ।samaḥ sarvēṣu bhūtēṣu madbhaktiṃ labhatē parām ॥ 54 ॥meaning
Becoming the Eternal, serene in the Self, he neither grieveth nor desireth; the same to all beings, he obtaineth supreme devotion unto Me.
- verse 56भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः ।ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ॥ 55 ॥bhaktyā māmabhijānāti yāvānyaśchāsmi tattvataḥ ।tatō māṃ tattvatō jñātvā viśatē tadanantaram ॥ 55 ॥meaning
By devotion he knoweth Me in essence, who and what I am; having thus known Me in essence he forthwith entereth into the Supreme.
- verse 57सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः ।मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ॥ 56 ॥sarvakarmāṇyapi sadā kurvāṇō madvyapāśrayaḥ ।matprasādādavāpnōti śāśvataṃ padamavyayam ॥ 56 ॥meaning
Though ever performing all actions, taking refuge in Me, by My grace he obtaineth the eternal indestructible abode.
- verse 58चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि सन्न्यस्य मत्परः ।बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ॥ 57 ॥chētasā sarvakarmāṇi mayi sannyasya matparaḥ ।buddhiyōgamupāśritya machchittaḥ satataṃ bhava ॥ 57 ॥meaning
Renouncing mentally all works in Me, intent on Me, resorting to the yoga of discrimination, have thy thought ever on Me.
- verse 59मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि ।अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ॥ 58 ॥machchittaḥ sarvadurgāṇi matprasādāttariṣyasi ।atha chēttvamahaṅkārānna śrōṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi ॥ 58 ॥meaning
Thinking on Me, thou shalt overcome all obstacles by My grace: but if from egoism thou wilt not listen, thou shalt be destroyed utterly.
- verse 60यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे ।मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ॥ 59 ॥yadahaṅkāramāśritya na yōtsya iti manyasē ।mithyaiṣa vyavasāyastē prakṛtistvāṃ niyōkṣyati ॥ 59 ॥meaning
Entrenched in egoism, thou thinkest, "I willnot fight;" to no purpose thy determination; nature will constrain thee.
- verse 61स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा ।कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् ॥ 60 ॥svabhāvajēna kauntēya nibaddhaḥ svēna karmaṇā ।kartuṃ nēchChasi yanmōhātkariṣyasyavaśō'pi tat ॥ 60 ॥meaning
O son of Kuntî, bound by thine own duty born of thine own nature, that which from delusion thou desirest not to do, even that helplessly thou shalt perform.
- verse 62ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति ।भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ॥ 61 ॥īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ hṛddēśē'rjuna tiṣṭhati ।bhrāmayansarvabhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā ॥ 61 ॥meaning
The Lord dwelleth in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, by His illusive Power causing all beings to revolve, as though mounted on a potter's wheel.
- verse 63तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत ।तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ॥ 62 ॥tamēva śaraṇaṃ gachCha sarvabhāvēna bhārata ।tatprasādātparāṃ śāntiṃ sthānaṃ prāpsyasi śāśvatam ॥ 62 ॥meaning
Flee unto Him for shelter with all thy being, O Bhârata; by His grace thou shalt obtain supreme peace, the everlasting dwelling-place.
- verse 64इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया ।विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥ 63 ॥iti tē jñānamākhyātaṃ guhyādguhyataraṃ mayā ।vimṛśyaitadaśēṣēṇa yathēchChasi tathā kuru ॥ 63 ॥meaning
Thus hath wisdom, more secret than secrecy itself, been declared unto thee by Me; having reflected on it fully, then act thou as thou listest.
- verse 65सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः शृणु मे परमं वचः ।इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ॥ 64 ॥sarvaguhyatamaṃ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu mē paramaṃ vachaḥ ।iṣṭō'si mē dṛḍhamiti tatō vakṣyāmi tē hitam ॥ 64 ॥meaning
Listen thou again to My supreme word, most secret of all; beloved art thou of Me, and steadfast of heart, therefore will I speak for thy benefit.
- verse 66मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु ।मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ॥ 65 ॥manmanā bhava madbhaktō madyājī māṃ namaskuru ।māmēvaiṣyasi satyaṃ tē pratijānē priyō'si mē ॥ 65 ॥meaning
Merge thy mind in Me, be my devotee, sacrifice to Me, prostrate thyself before Me, thou shalt come even to Me. I pledge thee My troth; thou art dear to Me.
- verse 67सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥ 66 ॥sarvadharmānparityajya māmēkaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja ।ahaṃ tvā sarvapāpēbhyō mōkṣayiṣyāmi mā śuchaḥ ॥ 66 ॥meaning
Abandoning all duties come unto Me alone for shelter; sorrow not, I will liberate thee from all sins.
- verse 68इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन ।न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥ 67 ॥idaṃ tē nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadāchana ।na chāśuśrūṣavē vāchyaṃ na cha māṃ yō'bhyasūyati ॥ 67 ॥meaning
Never is this to be spoken by thee to anyone who is without asceticism, nor without devotion, nor to one who desireth not to listen, nor yet to him who speaketh evil of Me.
- verse 69य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति ।भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ॥ 68 ॥ya imaṃ paramaṃ guhyaṃ madbhaktēṣvabhidhāsyati ।bhaktiṃ mayi parāṃ kṛtvā māmēvaiṣyatyasaṃśayaḥ ॥ 68 ॥meaning
He who shall declare this supreme secret among My devotees, having shown the highest devotion for Me, without doubt he shall come to Me.
- verse 70न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः ।भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि ॥ 69 ॥na cha tasmānmanuṣyēṣu kaśchinmē priyakṛttamaḥ ।bhavitā na cha mē tasmādanyaḥ priyatarō bhuvi ॥ 69 ॥meaning
Nor is there any among men who performeth dearer service to Me than he, nor any other shall be more beloved by Me on earth than he.
- verse 71अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः ।ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ॥ 70 ॥adhyēṣyatē cha ya imaṃ dharmyaṃ saṃvādamāvayōḥ ।jñānayajñēna tēnāhamiṣṭaḥ syāmiti mē matiḥ ॥ 70 ॥meaning
And he who shall study this sacred dialogue of ours, by him I shall be worshipped with the sacrifice of wisdom. Such is My mind.
- verse 72श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः ।सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाఁल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥ 71 ॥śraddhāvānanasūyaścha śṛṇuyādapi yō naraḥ ।sō'pi muktaḥ śubhāఁllōkānprāpnuyātpuṇyakarmaṇām ॥ 71 ॥meaning
The man also who, full of faith, merely heareth it unreviling, even he, freed from evil, obtaineth the radiant worlds of the righteous.
- verse 73कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा ।कच्चिदज्ञानसम्मोहः प्रनष्टस्ते धनञ्जय ॥ 72 ॥kachchidētachChrutaṃ pārtha tvayaikāgrēṇa chētasā ।kachchidajñānasammōhaḥ pranaṣṭastē dhanañjaya ॥ 72 ॥meaning
Hath this been heard, O son of Prithâ, with one-pointed mind? Has thy delusion, caused by unwisdom, been destroyed, O Dhananjaya?
- verse 74अर्जुन उवाचनष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत ।स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ॥ 73 ॥arjuna uvāchanaṣṭō mōhaḥ smṛtirlabdhā tvatprasādānmayāchyuta ।sthitō'smi gatasandēhaḥ kariṣyē vachanaṃ tava ॥ 73 ॥meaning
Destroyed is my delusion. I have gained knowledge through Thy grace, O Immutable one. I am firm, my doubts have fled away. I will do according to Thy word.
- verse 75सञ्जय उवाचइत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः ।संवादमिममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् ॥ 74 ॥sañjaya uvāchaityahaṃ vāsudēvasya pārthasya cha mahātmanaḥ ।saṃvādamimamaśrauṣamadbhutaṃ rōmaharṣaṇam ॥ 74 ॥meaning
I heard this marvellous dialogue of Vâsudeva, and of the great-souled Partha, causing my hair to stand on end.
- verse 76व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम् ।योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम् ॥ 75 ॥vyāsaprasādāchChrutavānētadguhyamahaṃ param ।yōgaṃ yōgēśvarātkṛṣṇātsākṣātkathayataḥ svayam ॥ 75 ॥meaning
By the favour of Vyâsa I listened to this secret and supreme yoga from the Lord of Yoga, Krishna Himself, speaking before mine eyes.
- verse 77राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम् ।केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ 76 ॥rājansaṃsmṛtya saṃsmṛtya saṃvādamimamadbhutam ।kēśavārjunayōḥ puṇyaṃ hṛṣyāmi cha muhurmuhuḥ ॥ 76 ॥meaning
O King, remembering, remembering this marvellous and holy dialogue between Keshava and Arjuna, I rejoice again and again.
- verse 78तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः ।विस्मयो मे महान्राजन्हृष्यामि च पुनः पुनः ॥ 77 ॥tachcha saṃsmṛtya saṃsmṛtya rūpamatyadbhutaṃ harēḥ ।vismayō mē mahānrājanhṛṣyāmi cha punaḥ punaḥ ॥ 77 ॥meaning
Remembering, remembering, also that most marvellous form of Hari, great is my wonder, O King. I rejoice, again and again.
- verse 79यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः ।तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥ 78 ॥yatra yōgēśvaraḥ kṛṣṇō yatra pārthō dhanurdharaḥ ।tatra śrīrvijayō bhūtirdhruvā nītirmatirmama ॥ 78 ॥meaning
Wherever is Krishna, Yoga's Lord, whereveris Pârtha, the archer, assured are there prosperity, victory and happiness. So I think.
- verse 80ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रेश्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे मोक्षसन्न्यासयोगो नामाष्टादशोऽध्यायः ॥ 18 ॥ōṃ tatsaditi śrīmadbhagavadgītāsūpaniṣatsu brahmavidyāyāṃ yōgaśāstrēśrīkṛṣṇārjunasaṃvādē mōkṣasannyāsayōgō nāmāṣṭādaśō'dhyāyaḥ ॥ 18 ॥meaning
Colophon: Thus in the Mahabharata, the hundred-thousand-verse collection, in the Bhagavad Gita Upanishads of the Moksha-sannyasa Yoga — the eighteenth chapter ends.
Primary text from vignanam.org