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Chapter 18

Mokṣa-sannyāsa-yoga

The Path to Liberation

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1

Arjuna said: O mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa, O Lord of the senses and slayer of Keśi! I wish to know distinctively the essence of sannyāsa and tyāga.

arjuna uvāca sannyāsasya mahā-bāho tattvam icchāmi veditum | tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pṛthak keśi-niṣūdana || 1 ||

Word-for-word meaning
arjuna uvāca : Arjuna said | mahā-bāho : O mighty-armed [Kṛṣṇa] | hṛṣīkeśa : O Lord of the senses | keśi-niṣūdana : O slayer of Keśi | icchāmi : I wish | veditum : to know | pṛthak : distinctively | tattvam : the essence | sannyāsasya : of sannyāsa | ca : and | tyāgasya : of tyāga
2

Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: The wise understand sannyāsa as the relinquishment of actions driven by desire and declare tyāga to be the renunciation of the fruits of all action.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ sannyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ | sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ prāhus tyāgaṁ vicakṣaṇāḥ || 2 ||

Word-for-word meaning
śrī-bhagavān uvāca : Śrī Kṛṣṇa said | vicakṣaṇāḥ : discerning | kavayaḥ : sages | viduḥ : understand | sannyāsam : sannyāsa | nyāsam : as the relinquishment | karmaṇām : of actions | kāmyānām : driven by desire | prāhuḥ : [and] declare | tyāgam : tyāga | sarva-karma-phala-tyāgam : [to be] the renunciation of the fruits of all action
3

Certain learned people declare that all action is inherently flawed and should thus be given up, while others maintain that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be given up.

tyājyaṁ doṣa-vad ity eke karma prāhur manīṣiṇaḥ | yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyam iti cāpare || 3 ||

Word-for-word meaning
eke : certain | manīṣiṇaḥ : learned people | prāhuḥ : declare [that] | karma : action | doṣa-vat iti : [is inherently] flawed | tyājyam : [and] should [thus] be renounced | ca : while | apare : others [maintain that] | yajña : sacrifice | dāna : charity | yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma : acts of worship, charity, and sacrifice | na tyājyam iti : should not be renounced
4

O best of the Bharatas, listen to My definite conclusion regarding tyāga, which is said to be of three kinds, O best among men.

niścayaṁ śṛṇu me tatra tyāge bharata-sattama | tyāgo hi puruṣa-vyāghra tri-vidhaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ || 4 ||

Word-for-word meaning
bharata-sattama : O best of the Bharatas | śṛṇu : listen | me : from Me | niścayam : to the definitive conclusion | tatra : regarding | tyāge : tyāga | tyāgaḥ : tyāga | hi : indeed | samprakīrtitaḥ : is declared to be | tri-vidhaḥ : of three kinds | puruṣa-vyāghra : O best among men
5

The acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be given up but should be performed, as they purify even the wise.

yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaṁ kāryam eva tat | yajño dānaṁ tapaś caiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām || 5 ||

Word-for-word meaning
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma : acts of worship, charity, and austerity | na tyājyam : should not be given up | eva : [but] indeed | tat : these | kāryam : should be performed | yajñaḥ : [since] sacrifice | dānam : charity | ca : and | tapaḥ : austerity | eva : indeed | pāvanāni : [are] purifiers | manīṣiṇām : of [even] the wise
6

But, O Pārtha, even these three practices should be performed while giving up attachment and the desire for reward. That is My decisive and conclusive opinion.

etāny api tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni ca | kartavyānīti me pārtha niścitaṁ matam uttamam || 6 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tu : but | pārtha : Pārtha | api : even | etāni : these [three] | karmāṇi : actions | kartavyāni : should be performed | tyaktvā : while giving up | saṅgam : attachment | ca : and | phalāni : [the desire for] reward | iti : this | me : [is] My | niścitam : decisive | uttamam : [and] conclusive | matam : opinion
7

Renunciation of prescribed action is never appropriate, however. Renouncing such action out of delusion is said to be tamasic in nature.

niyatasya tu sannyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate | mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ || 7 ||

Word-for-word meaning
sannyāsaḥ : renunciation | niyatasya : of prescribed | karmaṇaḥ : action | na upapadyate : is never appropriate | tu : but | parityāgaḥ : renunciation | tasya : of it [such action] | mohāt : out of delusion | parikīrtitaḥ : is said to be | tāmasaḥ : tamasic [in nature]
8

If one gives up any duty because it is difficult, out of fear of bodily hardship, that person, performing rajasic renunciation, does not obtain the fruit of renunciation.

duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśa-bhayāt tyajet | sa kṛtvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet || 8 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tyajet : [if] one renounces | yat : any | karma : duty | duḥkham iti eva : because it is difficult | kāya-kleśa-bhayāt : out of fear of bodily hardship | saḥ : that person | kṛtvā : performing | rājasam : rajasic | tyāgam : renunciation | na eva labhet : does not attain | tyāga-phalam : the fruit of renunciation
9

O Arjuna, when whichever prescribed action is performed as a matter of duty, giving up attachment to it as well as its fruit, such renunciation is considered to be sattvic.

kāryam ity eva yat karma niyataṁ kriyate ’rjuna | saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalaṁ caiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ || 9 ||

Word-for-word meaning
arjuna : O Arjuna | yat : [when] whichever | niyatam : prescribed | karma : action | kriyate : is performed | kāryam iti eva : as a matter of duty | tyaktvā : giving up | saṅgam : attachment | ca eva : as well as | phalam : [its] fruit | saḥ : such | tyāgaḥ : renunciation | mataḥ : is considered to be | sāttvikaḥ : sattvic
10

The wise tyāgī, established in sattva, is free from doubts and neither resents unpleasant work nor becomes attached to pleasant work.

na dveṣṭy akuśalaṁ karma kuśale nānuṣajjate | tyāgī sattva-samāviṣṭo medhāvī chinna-saṁśayaḥ || 10 ||

Word-for-word meaning
medhāvī : the wise | tyāgī : tyāgī | sattva-samāviṣṭaḥ : established in sattva | chinna-saṁśayaḥ : is free from doubts | na dveṣṭi : [and] neither resents | akuśalam : unpleasant | na : nor | anuṣajjate : becomes attached | kuśale : to pleasant | karma : work
11

For embodied beings, it is impossible to give up action entirely. But one who renounces the rewards of action is a true renunciate.

na hi deha-bhṛtā śakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇy aśeṣataḥ | yas tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate || 11 ||

Word-for-word meaning
deha-bhṛtā : for embodied beings | na śakyam : [it is] impossible | tyaktum : to renounce | karmāṇi : actions | aśeṣataḥ : entirely | tu : but | yaḥ : one who | karma-phala-tyāgī : renounces the rewards of action | saḥ : that person | tyāgī : renunciant | hi : indeed | iti : thus | abhidhīyate : is called
12

Undesirable, desirable, and mixed—these are the three types of results from action. After death, these results affect those who have not renounced, but never those who have renounced.

aniṣṭam iṣṭaṁ miśraṁ ca tri-vidhaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam | bhavaty atyāgināṁ pretya na tu sannyāsināṁ kvacit || 12 ||

Word-for-word meaning
aniṣṭam : undesirable | iṣṭam : desirable | ca : and | miśram : mixed | tri-vidham : [this is the] threefold [kind of] | phalam : result | karmaṇaḥ : of action | bhavati : [which] affects | atyāginām : those who have not renounced | pretya : after death | tu : but | na kvacit : never | sannyāsinām : those who have renounced
13

O strong-armed Arjuna, learn from Me about the five factors, declared in the doctrine of Sāṅkhya, that ensure the accomplishment of all action.

pañcaitāni mahā-bāho kāraṇāni nibodha me | sāṅkhye kṛtānte proktāni siddhaye sarva-karmaṇām || 13 ||

Word-for-word meaning
mahā-bāho : O strong-armed [Arjuna] | nibodha : learn | me : from Me | etāni : [about] these | pañca : five | kāraṇāni : factors | proktāni : declared | kṛtānte : in the doctrine | sāṅkhye : of Sāṅkhya | siddhaye : [that ensure] for the accomplishment | sarva-karmaṇām : of all actions
14

The five factors of action are: the seat of action (the body), the actual performer, the various sense organs, the different kinds of effort, and the Lord Himself, the fifth in this regard.

adhiṣṭhānaṁ tathā kartā karaṇaṁ ca pṛthag-vidham | vividhāś ca pṛthak ceṣṭā daivaṁ caivātra pañcamam || 14 ||

Word-for-word meaning
adhiṣṭhānam : [the five factors of action are] the seat of action (the body) | tathā : as well as | kartā : the doer | pṛthag-vidham : the different kinds of | karaṇam : sense organs | ca : and | vividhāḥ : various | ca : and | pṛthak : distinct | ceṣṭāḥ : [kinds of] efforts | ca eva : and | daivam : the Lord | pañcamam : the fifth | atra : here [in this regard]
15

Whatever work a person undertakes with body, speech, and mind, whether right or wrong, these five are its cause.

śarīra-vāṅ-manobhir yat karma prārabhate naraḥ | nyāyyaṁ vā viparītaṁ vā pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ || 15 ||

Word-for-word meaning
yat : whatever | karma : action | naraḥ : a person | prārabhate : undertakes | śarīra-vāk-manobhiḥ : with the body, speech, and mind | nyāyyam : [whether] right | : or | viparītam vā : wrong | ete : these | pañca : five | tasya : [are] its | hetavaḥ : causes
16

This being the case, the fool who sees only himself as the doer, does not see at all, due to underdeveloped intelligence.

tatraivaṁ sati kartāram ātmānaṁ kevalaṁ tu yaḥ | paśyaty akṛta-buddhitvān na sa paśyati durmatiḥ || 16 ||

Word-for-word meaning
evaṁ sati : this being the case | durmatiḥ : the fool | yaḥ : who | paśyati : sees | ātmānam : himself | kevalam : alone | kartāram : as the doer | tatra : in that matter | akṛta-buddhitvāt : due to undeveloped intelligence | saḥ : he | tu : however | na paśyati : doesn’t see
17

One who is free from the notion of ego and whose understanding is not tainted by action, does not kill and is not bound, even though slaying all these people.

yasya nāhaṅkṛto bhāvo buddhir yasya na lipyate | hatvāpi sa imāḻ lokān na hanti na nibadhyate || 17 ||

Word-for-word meaning
yasya : one whose | ahaṅkṛtaḥ : egoistic | bhāvaḥ : notion | na : [does] not [exist] | yasya : [and] whose | buddhiḥ : intellect | na lipyate : is not tainted [by action] | saḥ : he | na hanti : does not kill | na nibadhyate : [and] is [not] bound | api : even though | hatvā : slaying | imān : these | lokān : [all these] people
18

Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower are the three stimulants of action. The instrument, the act itself, and the performer are the three components of action.

jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ parijñātā tri-vidhā karma-codanā | karaṇaṁ karma karteti tri-vidhaḥ karma-saṅgrahaḥ || 18 ||

Word-for-word meaning
jñānam : knowledge | jñeyam : the object of knowledge | parijñātā : the knower | tri-vidhā : [are the] threefold | karma-codanā : stimulants of action | karaṇam : the instrument | iti : thus | tri-vidhaḥ : [are the] threefold | karma-saṅgrahaḥ : components of action
19

Knowledge, action, and the performer of action are threefold, according to the division of guṇas. Now hear about them properly as described in Saṅkhyā.

jñānaṁ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ | procyate guṇa-saṅkhyāne yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api || 19 ||

Word-for-word meaning
jñānam : knowledge | karma : action | ca : and | kartā ca : the performer of action | tridhaiva : [are] threefold | guṇa-bhedataḥ : according to the division of the guṇas | śṛṇu : [now] hear | api : also | tāni : them | yathāvat : properly | procyate : [as] is declared | guṇa-saṅkhyāne : in Saṅkhyā texts regarding the guṇas
20

That knowledge by which one sees one changeless reality in all beings, undivided in different bodies—know it to be sattvic in nature.

sarva-bhūteṣu yenaikaṁ bhāvam avyayam īkṣate | avibhaktaṁ vibhakteṣu taj jñānaṁ viddhi sāttvikam || 20 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tat : that | jñānam : knowledge | yena : by which | īkṣate : one sees | ekam : one | avyayam : changeless | bhāvam : reality | sarva-bhūteṣu : in all beings | avibhaktam : undivided | vibhakteṣu : in different [bodies] | viddhi : know | sāttvikam : to be sattvic
21

The knowledge which perceives a multitude of various different beings in all creatures due to their distinct nature—know that knowledge to be rajasic.

pṛthaktvena tu yaj jñānaṁ nānā-bhāvān pṛthag-vidhān | vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu taj jñānaṁ viddhi rājasam || 21 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tu : but | jñānam : the knowledge | yat : which | vetti : perceives | nānā-bhāvān : a multitude of different beings | pṛthak-vidhān : of various kinds | sarveṣu : in all | bhūteṣu : creatures | pṛthaktvena : due to [their] distinct nature | viddhi : know | tat : that | jñānam : knowledge | rājasam : [to be] rajasic
22

But the knowledge that is attached to a single object as if it were everything, which is devoid of logic, oblivious to truth, and insignificant—that knowledge is declared to be tamasic.

yat tu kṛtsnavad ekasmin kārye saktam ahaitukam | atattvārthavad alpaṁ ca tat tāmasam udāḥrtam || 22 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tu : but [the knowledge] | yat : which | saktam : [is] attached | ekasmin : to a single | kārye : object | kṛtsnavat : as if were everything | ahaitukam : devoid of reason | atattva-arthavat : not based on truth | ca : and | alpam : insignificant | tat : that [knowledge] | udāḥrtam : is declared to be | tāmasam : tamasic
23

Prescribed work performed without attachment, without desire or hatred, by one who does not seek any reward, is said to be sattvic.

niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣataḥ kṛtam | aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam ucyate || 23 ||

Word-for-word meaning
niyatam : prescribed | karma : action | yat : which | kṛtam : is performed | saṅga-rahitam : free from attachment | arāga-dveṣataḥ : without desire or hatred | aphala-prepsunā : by one who does not seek any reward | tat : that | ucyate : is said to be | sāttvikam : sattvic
24

Action performed with a longing to fulfill desire, with egotism, or excessive endeavor, is said to be rajasic.

yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṅkāreṇa vā punaḥ | kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ tad rājasam udāhṛtam || 24 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tu : but | karma : action | yat : which | kriyate : is performed | kāma-īpsunā : with a longing to fulfill desire | sāhaṅkāreṇa : with egotism | vā punaḥ : or | bahula-āyāsam : with excessive endeavor | tat : that | udāhṛtam : is said to be | rājasam : rajasic
25

Action that is done out of delusion, irrespective of consequences, loss, injury, and one’s own ability is said to be tamasic.

anubandhaṁ kṣayaṁ hiṁsām anapekṣya ca pauruṣam | mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam ucyate || 25 ||

Word-for-word meaning
karma : action | yat : which | ārabhyate : is undertaken | mohāt : out of delusion | anapekṣya : disregarding | anubandham : consequences | kṣayam : loss | hiṁsām : injury | ca : and | pauruṣam : one’s ability | tat : that | ucyate : is said to be | tāmasam : tamasic
26

A performer of action who is free from attachment and self-absorption, who is endowed with determination and enthusiasm, and is undisturbed in success and failure, is said to be sattvic.

mukta-saṅgo ’nahaṁ-vādī dhṛty-utsāha-samanvitaḥ | siddhy-asiddhyor nirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvika ucyate || 26 ||

Word-for-word meaning
kartā : a performer of action | mukta-saṅgaḥ : who is free from attachment | anahaṁ-vādī : who is free from self-absorption | dhṛti-utsāha-samanvitaḥ : who is endowed with determination and enthusiasm | nirvikāraḥ : [and who is] undisturbed | siddhi-asiddhyoḥ : in success or failure | ucyate : is said to be | sāttvikaḥ : sattvic
27

A performer of action who longs for the fruits of his actions, who is attached, greedy, violent, impure, and affected by joy and sorrow, is said to be rajasic.

rāgī karma-phala-prepsur lubdho hiṁsātmako ’śuciḥ | harṣa-śokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ || 27 ||

Word-for-word meaning
kartā : a performer of action | karma-phala-prepsuḥ : longing for the fruits of action | rāgī : who is attached | lubdhaḥ : greedy | hiṁsā-ātmakaḥ : having the nature of violence | aśuciḥ : impure | harṣa-śoka-anvitaḥ : affected by joy and sorrow | parikīrtitaḥ : is said to be | rājasaḥ : rajasic
28

A performer of action who is undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn, vicious, dishonest, lazy, morose, and a procrastinator, is said to be tamasic.

ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko ’lasaḥ | viṣādī dīrgha-sūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate || 28 ||

Word-for-word meaning
kartā : a performer of action | ayuktaḥ : who is undisciplined | prākṛtaḥ : vulgar | stabdhaḥ : stubborn | śaṭhaḥ : vicious | naiṣkṛtikaḥ : dishonest | alasaḥ : lazy | viṣādī : morose | ca : and | dīrgha-sūtrī : procrastinating | ucyate : is said to be | tāmasaḥ : tamasic
29

O Dhanañjaya, listen to the threefold distinction of intelligence and determination according to the guṇas, as I describe them entirely one-by-one.

buddher bhedaṁ dhṛteś caiva guṇatas tri-vidhaṁ śṛṇu | procyamānam aśeṣeṇa pṛthaktvena dhanañjaya || 29 ||

Word-for-word meaning
dhanañjaya : O Dhanañjaya | śṛṇu : listen to | tri-vidham : the threefold | bhedam : distinction | buddheḥ : of intelligence | ca eva : and | dhṛteḥ : of determination | guṇataḥ : according to the guṇas | procyamānam : as I describe them | aśeṣeṇa : entirely | pṛthaktvena : one-by-one
30

That intelligence which understands bondage and liberation, prescribed action and renunciation of action, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, what should be feared and what should not, is sattvic, O Pārtha.

pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye | bandhaṁ mokṣaṁ ca yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī || 30 ||

Word-for-word meaning
: that | buddhiḥ : intelligence | : which | vetti : understands | bandham : bondage | ca : and | mokṣam : liberation | pravṛttim : prescribed action | ca : and | nivṛttim : renunciation of action | ca : and | kārya-akārye : what ought to be done and what ought not to be done | bhaya-abhaye : what should be feared and what should not | sāttvikī : [is] sattvic | pārtha : O Pārtha
31

The intelligence by which one does not correctly understand what dharma is and what adharma is, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, is rajasic, O Pārtha.

yayā dharmam adharmaṁ ca | kāryaṁ cākāryam eva ca ayathāvat prajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī || 31 ||

Word-for-word meaning
g | buddhiḥ : the intelligence | yayā : by which | prajānāti : one understands | ayathāvat : incorrectly | dharmam : dharma | ca : and | adharmam : adharma | kāryam : what ought be done | ca eva : and | akāryam : what ought not be done | : that (intelligence) | rājasī : [is] rajasic | pārtha : O Pārtha
32

The intelligence which is covered in darkness, that regards adharma as dharma and all things as their opposite, is considered to be tamasic, O Pārtha.

adharmaṁ dharmam iti yā manyate tamasāvṛtā | sarvārthān viparītāṁś ca buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī || 32 ||

Word-for-word meaning
buddhiḥ : the intelligence | : which | manyate : considers | adharmam : adharma | iti : as | dharmam : dharma | ca : and | sarva-arthān : all meanings | viparītān : as [their] opposite | : that (intelligence) | tāmasī : [is considered] tamasic | pārtha : O Pārtha
33

That determination by which one steadies the actions of the mind, breath, and senses with undeviating yoga practice is sattvic, O Pārtha.

dhṛtyā yayā dhārayate manaḥ-prāṇendriya-kriyāḥ | yogenāvyabhicāriṇyā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī || 33 ||

Word-for-word meaning
dhṛtyā : by determination | yayā : by which | dhārayate : one steadies | manaḥ-prāṇa-indriya-kriyāḥ : the actions of the mind, prāṇa, and senses | avyabhicāriṇyā : through undeviating | yogena : yoga | : that | dhṛtiḥ : determination | sāttvikī : [is] sattvic | pārtha : O Pārtha
34

But the outcome-seeking determination, O Arjuna, by which one holds onto righteousness, desire, and wealth with great attachment, is rajasic, O Pārtha.

yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛtyā dhārayate ’rjuna | prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī || 34 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tu : but | phala-ākāṅkṣī : the outcome-seeking | dhṛtyā : determination | yayā : by which | dhārayate : one holds onto | dharma-kāma-arthān : righteousness, desire, and wealth | arjuna : O Arjuna | prasaṅgena : with [great] attachment | : that | dhṛtiḥ : determination | rājasī : [is] rajasic | pārtha : O Pārtha
35

That determination by which a dull-witted person does not give up sleep, fear, grief, depression, and egotism is tamasic, O Pārtha.

yayā svapnaṁ bhayaṁ śokaṁ viṣādaṁ madam eva ca | na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī || 35 ||

Word-for-word meaning
yayā : [the determination] by which | durmedhā : a dull-witted person | na vimuñcati : does not give up | svapnam : sleep | bhayam : fear | śokam : grief | viṣādam : depression | ca eva : and | madam : egotism | : that | dhṛtiḥ : determination | tāmasī : [is] tamasic | pārtha : O Pārtha
36-37

O best of the Bharatas, now hear from Me about the three kinds of happiness. The happiness in which one experiences joy as a result of continued practice and which brings an end to suffering, which is like poison in the beginning but in the end like nectar—this happiness is said to be sattvic, arising from a serene intellect fixed on the Self.

sukhaṁ tv idānīṁ tri-vidhaṁ śṛṇu me bharatarṣabha | abhyāsād ramate yatra duḥkhāntaṁ ca nigacchati || 36 || yat tad agre viṣam iva pariṇāme ’mṛtopamam | tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam || 37 ||

Word-for-word meaning
bharatarṣabha : O best of the Bharatas | idānīm : now | śṛṇu : hear | me : from Me | tu : indeed | tri-vidham : about the three kinds of | sukham : happiness | yatra : in which | ramate : one experiences joy | abhyāsāt : from continued practice | ca : and | nigacchati : attains | duḥkha-antam : the end of suffering | tat : that | yat : which | agre : in the beginning | iva : [is] like | viṣam : poison | pariṇāme : [but] in the end | amṛta-upamam : like nectar | tat : that | sukham : happiness | proktam : is said to be | sāttvikam : sattvic | ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam : arising from a serene intellect fixed on the Self
38

That which is like nectar in the beginning but like poison in the end, stemming from the contact between the senses and their objects—this happiness is said to be rajasic.

viṣayendriya-saṁyogād yat tad agre ’mṛtopamam | pariṇāme viṣam iva tat sukhaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam || 38 ||

Word-for-word meaning
tat : that | yat : which | agre : in the beginning | amṛta-upamam : [is] like nectar | iva : [and] like | viṣam : poison | pariṇāme : in the end | viṣaya-indriya-saṁyogāt : [stemming] from the contact between the senses and [their] objects | tat : that | sukham : happiness | smṛtam : is said to be | rājasam : rajasic
39

The happiness which deludes the Self both at the beginning and at the end and which is based on sleep, laziness, and heedlessness, is declared as tamasic.

yad agre cānubandhe ca sukhaṁ mohanam ātmanaḥ | nidrālasya-pramādotthaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛtam || 39 ||

Word-for-word meaning
sukham : the happiness | yat : which | mohanam : [causes] delusion | ātmanaḥ : of the Self | agre : in the beginning | ca : and | anubandhe ca : in the end | nidrā-ālasya-pramāda-uttham : arising from sleep, laziness, and foolishness | tat : that [happinesss] | udāhṛtam : is declared as | tāmasam : tamasic
40

There is no being on Earth, in heaven, or among the devas who is liberated from these three guṇas born of prakṛti.

na tad asti pṛthivyāṁ vā divi deveṣu vā punaḥ | sattvaṁ prakṛti-jair muktaṁ yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ || 40 ||

Word-for-word meaning
na tat asti : there does not exist | sattvam : a being | pṛthivyām : on Earth | : or | divi : in heaven | vā punaḥ : or | deveṣu : among the devas | yat : which | syāt : is | muktam : free | ebhiḥ : from these | tribhiḥ : three | guṇaiḥ : guṇas | prakṛti-jaiḥ : born of prakṛti
41

O Parantapa, the duties of the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras are divided according to the guṇas arising from their inherent nature.

brāhmaṇa-kṣatriya-viśāṁ śūdrāṇāṁ ca parantapa | karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāva-prabhavair guṇaiḥ || 41 ||

Word-for-word meaning
parantapa : O Parantapa | karmāṇi : the duties | brāhmaṇa : of the brāhmaṇas | kṣatriya : of the kṣatriyas | viśām : of the vaiśyas | ca : and | śūdrāṇām : of the śūdras | pravibhaktāni : are divided | guṇaiḥ : according to the guṇas | svabhāva-prabhavaiḥ : arising from [their] inherent nature
42

Calmness of mind and restraint of the senses, austerity, purity, patience, integrity, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in the Vedas—this is the duty of brāhmaṇas, according to their nature.

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ | kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam || 42 ||

Word-for-word meaning
śamaḥ : calmness of the mind | damaḥ : restraint of the senses | tapaḥ : austerity | śaucam : purity | kṣāntiḥ : patience | ārjavam : integrity | jñānam : knowledge | vijñānam : wisdom | ca eva : and | āstikyam : faith in the Vedas | brahma-karma : [this is] the duty of brāhmaṇas | svabhāva-jam : born of [their] nature
43

Heroism, power, determination, skill, not fleeing even in battle, generosity, and leadership—this is the duty of kṣatriyas, according to their nature.

śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam | dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam || 43 ||

Word-for-word meaning
śauryam : heroism | tejaḥ : power | dhṛtiḥ : determination | dākṣyam : skill | apalāyanam : not fleeing | ca api : even | yuddhe : in battle | dānam : generosity | ca : and | īśvara-bhāvaḥ : leadership | karma : [this is] the duty | kṣātram : of the kṣatriyas | svabhāva-jam : born of [their] nature
44

Agriculture, tending cows, and trade are the natural work of vaiśyas; the natural duty of the śūdras is service to others.

kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam | paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam || 44 ||

Word-for-word meaning
kṛṣi : agriculture | go-rakṣya : cow protection | vāṇijyam : trade | vaiśya-karma : the duty of vaiśyas | svabhāva-jam : born of one’s nature | api : also | karma : duty | svabhāva-jam : born of the nature | śūdrasya : of the śūdra | paricaryātmakam : [is] characterized by service to others
45

A person content with their own respective duty attains perfection. Now listen how a person devoted to their own duty achieves perfection.

sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ | sva-karma-nirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tac chṛṇu || 45 ||

Word-for-word meaning
naraḥ : a person | abhirataḥ : content with | sve sve : one’s own respective | karmaṇi : duty | labhate : attains | saṁsiddhim : perfection | śṛṇu tat : [now] listen to | tat : that | yathā : how | nirataḥ : a person who is devoted to | sva-karma : [their] own duty | vindati : achieves | siddhim : perfection
46

Worshiping Him from whom all beings manifest and by whom this entire cosmos is pervaded, by one’s own duty, a person attains perfection.

yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānāṁ yena sarvam idaṁ tatam | sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya siddhiṁ vindati mānavaḥ || 46 ||

Word-for-word meaning
abhyarcya : worshiping | tam : Him | yataḥ : from whom | pravṛttiḥ : manifestation | bhūtānām : of all beings | yena : [and] by whom | idam sarvam : this entire [cosmos] | tatam : is pervaded | sva-karmaṇā : through one’s own duty | mānavaḥ : a person | vindati : attains | siddhim : perfection
47

Better is one’s own dharma, even if imperfectly done, than the dharma of another done perfectly. Performing duty as established by one’s own nature, one doesn’t incur sin.

śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt | svabhāva-niyataṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam || 47 ||

Word-for-word meaning
śreyān : better [is] | sva-dharmaḥ : one’s own dharma | viguṇaḥ : [even if] imperfectly done | para-dharmāt : than the dharma of another | su-anuṣṭhitāt : performed perfectly | svabhāva-niyatam : prescribed according to one’s nature | kurvan : performing | karma : duty | na āpnoti : one doesn’t incur | kilbiṣam : sin
48

O Kaunteya, one should not give up one’s natural duty even if it has faults, since all endeavors are covered by fault, just as fire is covered by smoke.

saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣam api na tyajet | sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ || 48 ||

Word-for-word meaning
kaunteya : O Kaunteya | na tyajet : one should not abandon | sahajam : [one’s] natural | karma : duty | api : even if | sa-doṣam : it has faults | hi : since | sarva-ārambhāḥ : all undertakings | āvṛtāḥ : are covered | doṣeṇa : by fault | iva : just as | agniḥ : fire | dhūmena : [is covered] by smoke
49

One whose intellect is detached at all times, who has mastered the mind, and is free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of freedom from karma through renunciation.

asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigata-spṛhaḥ | naiṣkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ sannyāsenādhigacchati || 49 ||

Word-for-word meaning
asakta-buddhiḥ : one whose intellect is detached | sarvatra : at all times | jita-ātmā : who has mastered the mind | vigata-spṛhaḥ : [and] is free from desires | adhigacchati : attains | paramām : the supreme | naiṣkarmya-siddhim : the perfection of freedom from karma | sannyāsena : through renunciation
50

O Kaunteya, now learn from Me briefly how one who has achieved this perfection attains Brahman, which is the supreme culmination of knowledge.

siddhiṁ prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me | samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣṭhā jñānasya yā parā || 50 ||

Word-for-word meaning
kaunteya : O Kaunteya | nibodha : learn | me : from Me | samāsena eva : briefly | tathā : thus | yathā : how | prāptaḥ : one who has attained | siddhim : perfection | āpnoti : attains | brahma : Brahman | : which [is] | parā : the supreme | niṣṭhā : culmination | jñānasya : of knowledge
51-53

Using the purified intellect; subduing the mind with determination; giving up the objects of the senses such as sound and casting aside attraction and hatred; living in solitude; eating little; restraining ones speech, body, and mind; constantly engaged in the yoga of meditation and taking full shelter of dispassion; giving up ego, power, arrogance, desire, anger, and possessiveness, peaceful and free from the sense of ownership, one becomes fit for the state of Brahman.

buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto dhṛtyātmānaṁ niyamya ca | śabdādīn viṣayāṁs tyaktvā rāga-dveṣau vyudasya ca || 51 || vivikta-sevī laghv-āśī yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ | dhyāna-yoga-paro nityaṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāśritaḥ || 52 || ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ parigraham | vimucya nirmamaḥ śānto brahma-bhūyāya kalpate || 53 ||

Word-for-word meaning
yuktaḥ : using | viśuddhayā : the purified | buddhyā : intellect | ca : and | niyamya : controlling | ātmānam : the mind | dhṛtyā : with determination | tyaktvā : giving up | viṣayān : sense objects | śabda-ādīn : such as sound | ca : and | vyudasya : casting aside | rāga-dveṣau : attraction and aversion | vivikta-sevī : living in solitude | laghu-āśī : eating little | yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ : controlling speech, body, and mind | nityam : constantly | dhyāna-yoga-paraḥ : engaged in the yoga of meditation | samupāśritaḥ : taking full shelter of | vairāgyam : dispassion | vimucya : giving up | ahaṅkāram : ego | balam : power | darpam : arrogance | kāmam : desire | krodham : anger | parigraham : possessiveness | śāntaḥ : peaceful | nirmamaḥ : [and] free from the sense of ownership | kalpate : one becomes fit | brahma-bhūyāya : for the state of Brahman
54

Having realized Brahman and being tranquil, one neither grieves nor craves for anything. Being equal to all beings, one attains supreme devotion to Me.

brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati | samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām || 54 ||

Word-for-word meaning
brahma-bhūtaḥ : having realized Brahman | prasanna-ātmā : [and] being tranquil | na śocati : one neither grieves | na kāṅkṣati : nore craves [for anything] | samaḥ : [being] equal | sarveṣu : to all | bhūteṣu : beings | labhate : one attains | parām : supreme | mat-bhaktim : devotion to Me
55

By devotion, one comes to know who and what I truly am. Having known Me in truth in this way, one enters My nature thereafter.

bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ | tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśate tad-anantaram || 55 ||

Word-for-word meaning
bhaktyā : through devotion | abhijānāti : one comes to know | yāvān : how great | yaḥ ca : and who | mām : Me | asmi : I am | tataḥ : then | mām : Me | tattvataḥ : in truth | jñātvā : having known | viśate : enters | tad-anantaram : thereafter
56

Despite constantly performing all actions, the one who has taken refuge in Me, attains the eternal, changeless state by My grace.

sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśrayaḥ | mat-prasādād avāpnoti śāśvataṁ padam avyayam || 56 ||

Word-for-word meaning
api : despite | sadā : always | kurvāṇaḥ : performing | sarva-karmāṇi : all actions | mat-vyapāśrayaḥ : one who has taken refuge in Me | avāpnoti : attains | śāśvatam : the eternal | avyayam : unchanging | padam : state | mat-prasādāt : by My grace
57

Mentally surrendering all actions to Me, regarding Me as the supreme goal, and taking refuge in the yoga of discernment, always be mindful of Me.

cetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ | buddhi-yogam upāśritya mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava || 57 ||

Word-for-word meaning
cetasā : with the mind | sannyasya : surrendering | sarva-karmāṇi : all actions | mayi : to Me | mat-paraḥ : regarding Me as the supreme goal | upāśritya : taking refuge in | buddhi-yogam : the yoga of discernment | satatam : always | bhava : be | mat-cittaḥ : mindful of Me
58

With a mind focussed on Me, you will overcome all obstacles by My grace. If, however, out of pride, you do not listen, you will be ruined.

mac-cittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi | atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān na śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi || 58 ||

Word-for-word meaning
mat-cittaḥ : with a mind [focused] on Me | tariṣyasi : you will overcome | sarva-durgāṇi : all difficulties or obstacles | mat-prasādāt : by My grace | atha : but | cet : if | ahaṅkārāt : out of ego | tvam : you | na śroṣyasi : do not listen | vinaṅkṣyasi : you will be ruined
59

If you give in to pride, thinking that you will not fight, your resolve will be in vain—your own nature will compel you.

yad ahaṅkāram āśritya na yotsya iti manyase | mithyaiṣa vyavasāyas te prakṛtis tvāṁ niyokṣyati || 59 ||

Word-for-word meaning
yat : if | āśritya : you give in | ahaṅkāram : to pride | manyase : [and] think | iti : that | na yotsye : I will not fight | eṣaḥ : this | vyavasāyaḥ : determination | te : of yours | mithyā : [will be] in vain | prakṛtiḥ : [your own] nature | niyokṣyati : will compel | tvām : you
60

O Kaunteya, whatever you wish not to do out of delusion, that you will have to do, bound by the duty born from your own nature, despite being unwilling.

svabhāva-jena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā | kartuṁ necchasi yan mohāt kariṣyasy avaśo ’pi tat || 60 ||

Word-for-word meaning
kaunteya : O Kaunteya | yat : whatever | icchasi : you wish | na kartum : not to do | mohāt : out of delusion | tat : that | kariṣyasi : you will [have to] do | nibaddhaḥ : bound | svena : by your own | karmaṇā : duty | svabhāva-jena : born from your own nature | api : despite | avaśaḥ : being unwilling
61

The Lord abides in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna. By His power of māyā, He causes them to move through life, as if they were seated on a machine.

īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati | bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā || 61 ||

Word-for-word meaning
īśvaraḥ : the Lord | sarva-bhūtānām : of all beings | hṛd-deśe : in the region of the heart | arjuna : O Arjuna | tiṣṭhati : dwells | bhrāmayan : causing to move | sarva-bhūtāni : all beings | yantra-ārūḍhāni : seated on a machine | māyayā : by His illusory power
62

O descendant of Bharata, surrender to Him alone with your entire being. By His grace, you shall attain the supreme peace and eternal abode.

tam eva śaraṇaṁ gaccha sarva-bhāvena bhārata | tat-prasādāt parāṁ śāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śāśvatam || 62 ||

Word-for-word meaning
bhārata : O descendant of Bharata | gaccha : seek | śaraṇam : refuge | tam : of Him | eva : alone | sarva-bhāvena : with your whole being | tat-prasādāt : by His grace | prāpsyasi : you will attain | parām : the supreme | śāntim : peace | śāśvatam : [and] eternal | sthānam : abode
63

In this way I have taught you the knowledge which is more secret than secret. After reflecting on it completely, act as you wish.

iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhya-taraṁ mayā | vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru || 63 ||

Word-for-word meaning
iti : in this way | jñānam : the knowledge | guhya-taram : [which is] more secret | guhyāt : than secret | ākhyātam : has been declared | te : to you | mayā : by Me | vimṛśya : after reflecting | etat : on it | aśeṣeṇa : completely | kuru : act | yathā : in the way | tathā : as | icchasi : you wish
64

Once again hear My supreme teaching, the most secret of all; because you are so dear to Me, I will declare what is beneficial for you.

sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ | iṣṭo ’si me dṛḍham iti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam || 64 ||

Word-for-word meaning
bhūyaḥ : once again | śṛṇu : hear | me : My | paramam : supreme | vacaḥ : teaching | sarva-guhyatamam : the most secret of all | iti : because | asi : you are | dṛḍham : very | iṣṭaḥ : dear | me : to Me | tataḥ : therefore | vakṣyāmi : I will declare | te : to you | hitam : what is beneficial
65

Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, bow down before Me, and you shall certainly come to Me. I promise you this for certain, since you are dear to Me.

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru | mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo ’si me || 65 ||

Word-for-word meaning
man-manāḥ : fix your mind on Me | bhava : be | mat-bhaktaḥ : my devotee | mat-yājī : one who worships Me | namaskuru : bow down | mām : to Me | eṣyasi : [and] you shall come | eva : certainly | mām : to Me | pratijāne : I promise [this] | te : to you | satyam : for certain | asi : [since] you are | priyaḥ : dear | me : to Me
66

Abandon all dharmas and surrender to Me alone. I will liberate you from all wrong-doings; do not worry.

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja | ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ || 66 ||

Word-for-word meaning
parityajya : abandoning | sarva-dharmān : all dharmas | vraja : seek | śaraṇam : surrender | mām : in Me | ekam : alone | aham : I | mokṣayiṣyāmi : will liberate | tvām : you | sarva-pāpebhyaḥ : from all wrong-doings | : do not | śucaḥ : worry
67

This teaching should never be revealed to one who is devoid of self-discipline, who is not devoted, who has no desire to listen, nor to one who envies Me.

idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana | na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṁ na ca māṁ yo ’bhyasūyati || 67 ||

Word-for-word meaning
idam : this [teaching] | na kadācana vācyam : should never be revealed | te : by you | atapaskāya : to one who is devoid of self-discipline | na : nor | abhaktāya : to one who is not devoted | na ca : nor | aśuśrūṣave : to one who is not willing to listen | na ca : nor | yaḥ : [to one] who | abhyasūyati : envies | mām : to Me
68

There is no doubt that the one who has cultivated supreme devotion to Me and gives this highest mystery to My devotees shall come to Me. (18.68) There is no doubt that the one who has cultivated supreme devotion to Me and gives this highest mystery to My devotees, shall come to Me.

ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati | bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ || 68 ||

Word-for-word meaning
asaṁśayaḥ : there is no doubt that | yaḥ : one who | kṛtvā : has cultivated | parām : supreme | bhaktim : devotion | mayi : to Me | abhidhāsyati : will teach, will speak | idam : this | paramam : supreme | guhyam : secret | mad-bhakteṣu : among My devotees | mām : to Me | eva : surely | eṣyati : will come
69

There is nobody among people who can perform a service more pleasing to Me than such a person, nor shall there be another on Earth dearer to Me.

na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ | bhavitā na ca me tasmād anyaḥ priya-taro bhuvi || 69 ||

Word-for-word meaning
ca : and | na kaścit : [there is]no one | manuṣyeṣu : among people | priya-kṛt-tamaḥ : who performs [a service] more pleasing | me : to Me | tasmāt : than such a person | na ca : nor | bhavitā : shall there be | anyaḥ : another | bhuvi : on Earth | priya-taraḥ : dearer | me : to Me | tasmāt : than him
70

And whoever studies this sacred dialogue of ours, worships Me through the sacrifice of knowledge—this is My conviction.

adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādam āvayoḥ | jñāna-yajñena tenāham iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ || 70 ||

Word-for-word meaning
ca : and | yaḥ : whoever | adhyeṣyate : will study | imam : this | dharmyam : sacred | saṁvādam : dialogue | āvayoḥ : of ours | tena : by him | aham : I | iṣṭaḥ : shall be | syām : worshiped | jñāna-yajñena : by the sacrifice of knowledge | iti : this [is] | me : My | matiḥ : conviction
71

The one who even merely listens to it with faith and free from envy, shall also be liberated and will attain the auspicious realms of those who have performed virtuous deeds.

śraddhāvān anasūyaś ca śṛṇuyād api yo naraḥ | saḥ api muktaḥ śubhān lokān prāpnuyāt puṇya-karmaṇām || 71 ||

Word-for-word meaning
naraḥ : the person | yaḥ : who | api : even [merely] | śṛṇuyāt : listens [to it] | śraddhāvān : with faith | ca : and | anasūyaḥ : free from envy | saḥ : he | api : also | muktaḥ : [shall be] liberated | prāpnuyāt : [and] shall attain | śubhān : the auspicious | lokān : realms | puṇya-karmaṇām : of those who have performed virtuous deeds
72

O Pārtha, have you listened to this teaching with a single-pointed mind? Has your delusion of ignorance vanished, O Dhanañjaya?

kaccid etac chrutaṁ pārtha tvayaikāgreṇa cetasā | kaccid ajñāna-sammohaḥ praṇaṣṭas te dhanañjaya || 72 ||

Word-for-word meaning
pārtha : O Pārtha | kaccit : has | etat : this [teaching] | śrutam : been listened to | tvayā : by you | ekāgreṇa : with a single-pointed | cetasā : mind | kaccit : has | te : your | ajñāna-sammohaḥ : delusion of ignorance | praṇaṣṭaḥ : vanished | dhanañjaya : O Dhanañjaya
73

Arjuna said: By Your grace, O Acyuta, my delusion has been destroyed and I have regained my understanding. I stand firm, my doubt has left me, and I will carry out Your word.

arjuna uvāca naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtir labdhā tvat-prasādān mayācyuta | sthito ’smi gata-sandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava || 73 ||

Word-for-word meaning
arjuna uvāca : Arjuna said | tvat-prasādāt : by Your grace | mohaḥ : [my] delusion | naṣṭaḥ : has been destroyed | smṛtiḥ : [and] understanding | labdhā : has been regained | mayā : by me | acyuta : O Acyuta | sthitaḥ asmi : I stand firm | gata-sandehaḥ : [my] doubt has left me | kariṣye : [and] I shall carry out | tava : Your | vacanam : word
74

Sañjaya said: Thus have I heard this astounding dialogue between Vāsudeva and the great-minded Pārtha, which makes my hair stand on end.

sañjaya uvāca ity ahaṁ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ | saṁvādam imam aśrauṣam adbhutaṁ roma-harṣaṇam || 74 ||

Word-for-word meaning
sañjaya uvāca : Sañjaya said | iti : thus | aham : I | aśrauṣam : have heard | imam : this | adbhutam : astounding | saṁvādam : dialogue | vāsudevasya : of Vāsudeva | ca : and | mahātmanaḥ : of the great-minded | pārthasya : of Pārtha | roma-harṣaṇam : causing the hair to stand on end
75

By the grace of Vyāsa, I have heard this supreme mystery of yoga directly from Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of yoga, as personally spoken by Him.

vyāsa-prasādāc chrutavān etad guhyam ahaṁ param | yogaṁ yogeśvarāt kṛṣṇāt sākṣāt kathayataḥ svayam || 75 ||

Word-for-word meaning
vyāsa-prasādāt : by the grace of Vyāsa | aham : I | śrutavān : have heard | etat : this | param : supreme | guhyam : secret | yogam : [of] yoga | sākṣāt : directly | kṛṣṇāt : from Kṛṣṇa | yoga-īśvarāt : the Lord of yoga | kathayataḥ : as spoken | svayam : personally [by Him]
76

O king, repeatedly remembering this astounding and auspicious dialogue between Keśava and Arjuna, I rejoice again and again.

rājan saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya saṁvādam imam adbhutam | keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṁ hṛṣyāmi ca muhur muhuḥ || 76 ||

Word-for-word meaning
rājan : O king | saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya : repeatedly remembering | imam : this | adbhutam : astounding | ca : and | puṇyam : sacred | saṁvādam : dialogue | keśava-arjunayoḥ : of Keśava and Arjuna | hṛṣyāmi : I rejoice | muhuḥ muhuḥ : again and again
77

And as I repeatedly remember that most astounding form of Hari, my amazement is great, O king, and once more I rejoice again and again.

tac ca saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya rūpam aty-adbhutaṁ hareḥ | vismayo me mahān rājan hṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ || 77 ||

Word-for-word meaning
ca : and | saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya : as I repeatedly remember | tat : that | ati-adbhutam : most astounding | rūpam : form | hareḥ : of Hari | me : my | vismayaḥ : amazament | mahān : is great | rājan : O king | ca : and | hṛṣyāmi : I rejoice | punaḥ punaḥ : once more again and again
78

It is my firm conviction that wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of yoga, and wherever there is Pārtha the bearer of the bow, there will be prosperity, victory, success, and morality.

yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdharaḥ | tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama || 78 ||

Word-for-word meaning
mama : [it is] my | matiḥ : [firm] conviction [that] | yatra : wherever [there is] | kṛṣṇaḥ : Kṛṣṇa | yoga-īśvaraḥ : the Lord of yoga | yatra : [and] wherever [there is] | pārthaḥ : Pārtha | dhanurdharaḥ : the bearer of the bow | tatra : there [will be] | dhruvā : certainly | śrīḥ : prosperity | vijayaḥ : victory | bhūtiḥ : success | nītiḥ : right, morality

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