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18

CHAPTER 

VERSE

8

दु:खमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्यजेत् |
स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् || 18.8 ||

Duḥkhamityeva yatkarma kāyakleśhabhayātyajet |
Sa kṛtvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāgaphalaṁ labhet ||

One should abandon, O Arjuna, the desire-driven action, which is fraught with distress, as well as the attachment to its fruits. Such renunciation, performed out of passion, is not worthy of being called true renunciation, and it does not yield the fruits of renunciation.

Lesson:

Lord Krishna imparts profound wisdom to Arjuna regarding the nature of renunciation and the significance of performing actions without attachment. Krishna advises Arjuna to renounce desire-driven actions, which lead to distress and suffering, along with the attachment to the fruits of those actions. He explains that such renunciation, motivated by passion and desire for personal gain, lacks the purity and efficacy of true renunciation and fails to yield the fruits of liberation.

Krishna highlights the distinction between two types of renunciation—sattvic (performed out of purity and selflessness) and rajasic (performed out of passion and desire). While both involve relinquishing attachment to the fruits of actions, the motivation behind the renunciation determines its efficacy and spiritual merit.

Desire-driven actions are those performed with the sole aim of gratifying one's desires and fulfilling selfish ambitions. Such actions lead to klesha (distress) and anxiety, as they perpetuate the cycle of desire and attachment, binding individuals to the wheel of samsara (the cycle of birth and death).

Krishna emphasizes the importance of renouncing desire-driven actions and the attachment to their fruits as a means to attain spiritual liberation. True renunciation involves performing actions selflessly, without craving for personal gain or recognition. It entails surrendering the ego and aligning one's will with the divine will, recognizing that the fruits of actions are determined by cosmic laws beyond individual control.

Furthermore, Krishna cautions Arjuna against mistaking passion-driven renunciation for true renunciation. Renunciation motivated by desire, ego, or personal gain lacks the purity and selflessness required for spiritual advancement. It merely serves to inflate the ego and reinforce bondage to the material world, without leading to true liberation.

This verse underscores the importance of discernment and self-awareness in spiritual practice. It encourages seekers to examine their motivations and intentions behind their actions, ensuring that they are guided by purity, selflessness, and devotion. Through selfless action and detachment from the fruits of actions, individuals can transcend the cycle of suffering and attain eternal bliss and liberation.

In essence, this verse from the Bhagavad Gita offers profound insights into the nature of renunciation and the path to spiritual liberation. It reminds seekers of the importance of performing actions selflessly, without attachment to the results, and surrendering the ego to the divine will. Through genuine renunciation and selfless service, individuals can transcend suffering and attain the ultimate goal of spiritual realization and union with the divine.

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