Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 18

Srimad Bhagwad Gita - Chapter 18 - Moksha Sanyas Yoga

Krishnaa.. You do save the best for the last and you don’t want your bhaktas to attain something easily without an effort. This is yet another lengthy chapter that is filled with riches of knowledge, practical worldly knowledge and final reminder on how to shape our spiritual journeys. Continuing from previous chapters, this chapter also adds onto the experiences of worldly beings inline with the 3 modes of conduct i.e. TriGunas.

Chapter 18 is like a grand summary of all the teachings over the past 17 chapters and gives one final impetus to Arjuna to take up his bow and perform his duty. When I was summarising this chapter, I couldn’t help but amaze at the strange resemblance in Sri Krishna’s words and Swami Vivekananda’s immortal words when he famously said: Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached. Perhaps, I need to re-read Swami Vivekananda’s influences when he said this, but from past reading of his works, I wouldn’t be surprised if Srimad Bhagwad Gita was the inspiration behind this exact statement (online resources quote Katha Upanishad, but I strongly feel its Gita).

Since this is the concluding chapter, I will try to encapsulate the whole scenario thus far. We are witnessing a divine discussion between Sri Krishna and Arjuna. However, this is being narrated by Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra (To recollect, the first verse of Gita is a question from Dhritarashtra). The natural question that comes up is, How did Sanjaya view the whole scenario unfolding in a battlefield miles away? Sanjaya clarifies on this point towards the end of the chapter:

व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम् ।
योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयत: स्वयम् ॥ 18.75॥

By the grace of Veda Vyas, I have heard this supreme and most secret Yog from the Lord of Yog, Shree Krishna Himself.

Veda Vyasa himself would have granted the Divya Drishti to Sanjaya, who is exhilarated by the experience of being an audience to Sri Krishna’s divine words.

In this chapter, choosing a preferred verse is as difficult as in Chapter 2 - Sankhya Yoga. There are many topics of interest discussed in great detail within this chapter. However, since this is the culmination of the teachings, I feel that this is the best verse to describe the teaching thus far and overall.

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: ॥ 18.66॥

Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.

This verse was the most preferred along with another profound verse (which is one of my favourite verses from Gita):

तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत ।
तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ॥ 18.62॥

Surrender exclusively unto Him with your whole being, O Bharat. By His grace, you will attain perfect peace and the eternal abode

Both these verses are some of the most profound verses of Gita - Do your duty, remove all attachments and just put one’s faith in the almighty. This is a best summary of all the teachings thus far.

Sanyasa and Tyaga:

At the onset of the chapter, Arjuna wants to know the meaning of Sanyasa and Tyaga.

अर्जुन उवाच ।
सन्न्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् ।
त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ॥ 18.1॥

Arjun said: O mighty-armed Krishna, I wish to understand the nature of sanyās (renunciation of actions) and tyāg (renunciation of desire for the fruits of actions). O Hrishikesh, I also wish to know the distinction between the two, O Keshinisudan.

There is a very fine differentiation - Renunciation vs Renunciation of desire for the fruits. In the latter, one is not abandoning their karma or forgoing their actions. In the previous chapters, Sri Krishna repeatedly has advised that one shouldn’t forsake their actions / karma. Sri Krishna clarifies further:

श्रीभगवानुवाच । 
काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं सन्न्यासं कवयो विदु: । 
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणा: ॥ 18.2॥

The Supreme Divine Personality said: Giving up of actions motivated by desire is what the learned understand as sanyās. Relinquishing the fruits of all actions is what the wise declare to be tyāg.

Over the course of next few verses, Sri Krishna explains the details on renunciation further and clarifies that they are of 3 kinds (18.4): Sacrifice, Charity and Penance are purifying and should never be abandoned and should be performed without any expectation of rewards. Sri Krishna does warn that one shouldn’t forsake their actions due to body discomfort or because they are troublesome (18.8). True renouncement is when one relinquishes the fruits of their action, but perform them with complete dedication (18.11).

Impact of Gunas:

We have to remember that all living beings are under the influence of the 3 Gunas and no one is free from them. This is actually emphasised by Krishna again in this verse:

न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुन: ।
सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभि: स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणै: ॥ 18.40॥

No living being on earth or the higher celestial abodes of this material realm is free from the influence of these three modes of nature.

Sankhya Yoga:

In verses 18.13 - 18.14, Sri Krishna summarises the teachings from Sankhya yoga and quotes the 5 factors of action: Body, Soul (doer), Senses, Kind of Efforts and Divine Providence (daivam). These 5 are the contributory factors for any action that is performed with Body, Speech or Mind. This aspect of Body, Speech and Mind was elaborated in the previous chapter i.e. Chapter 17 (17.14 - 17.19).

There is a wonderful verse on how can one go about their duties without getting attached to the results.

यस्य नाहङ् कृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते । 
हत्वाऽपि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते ॥ 18.17॥

Those who are free from the ego of being the doer, and whose intellect is unattached, though they may slay living beings, they neither kill nor are they bound by actions.

This is such a powerful verse, which I feel is very beautifully explained as part of Vyadha Gita in Mahabharata.

In 18.19, Sri Krishna elaborate that Knowledge, Action and Doer are of 3 types as per the Gunas. Krishna goes onto elaborate the manifestations of Gunas across various facets as summarised below.

Knowledge (Jnana):

Sattvic: One undivided reality within all diverse all living beings (18.20)
Rajasic: Manifold living entities in diverse bodies as individual and unconnected (18.21)
Tamasic: Engrossed in fragmental concept - neither grounded in reason or truth (18.22)

Action (Karma):

Sattvic: Done in accordance with Scriptures, Free from attachment and aversion, without any desire for rewards (18.23)
Rajasic: Selfish Desire, pride, full of stress (18.24)
Tamasic: Borne out of delusion, disregarding consequences, loss and injury to others (18.25)

Doer (Performer):

Sattvic: Free from Egotism and attachment, endowed with enthusiasm and determination, equipoised in success and failure (18.26)
Rajasic: Craves for fruits of the work, covetous, violent natured, impure and moved by joy and sorrow (18.27)
Tamasic: Undisciplined, Vulgar, Stubborn, deceitful, slothful, despondent, procrastinator (18.28)

Intellect:

Sattvic: Understands proper vs improper action, duty vs non-duty, what’s to be feared vs what not to fear, binding vs liberating (18.30)
Rajasic: Confused between righteousness & unrighteousness, can’t distinguish between right and wrong conducts (18.31)
Tamasic: Imagines irreligion to be religion, untruth to be truth (18.32)

Determination:

Sattvic: Yogic steadfast willpower sustaining activities of mind, prana and senses (18.33)
Rajasic: Steadfast willpower holding onto duty, pleasures and wealth out of attachment and desire for rewards (18.34)
Tamasic: Unintelligent resolve who doesn’t give up daydreaming, fearing, grieving, despair and conceit (18.35)

Happiness (Sukha):

Sattvic: Seems like poison first, but tastes like nectar in end - generated by pure intellect situated in self-knowledge (18.37)
 Rajasic: Derived from the contact of senses with objects - looks nectar to start with, but turns to poison at end (18.38)
Tamasic: Covers the nature of self and derived from Sleep, indolence, negligence (18.39)

Karma Yoga:

Reiterating the lessons from karma yoga, Sri Krishna advises everyone to perform their dharma, even though imperfectly than to do another’s dharma (18.47 - 18.48). The essence of Karmanya vaadikaraste.. is observed in this verse also:

असक्तबुद्धि: सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृह: ।
नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां सन्न्यासेनाधिगच्छति ॥ 18.49॥

Those whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who have mastered the mind, and are free from desires by the practice of renunciation, attain the highest perfection of freedom from action.

Brahman / Parajnana:

In this section, we observe the verses from 18.50 - 18.53 where Sri Krishna describes how one who has renounced the fruits of actions can also attain Brahman through Parajnana (transcendental knowledge).

Purified intellect
Restrains senses - Casting aside attraction and aversion
Relishes solitude
Eats lightly
Controls Body, mind and speech
Engaged in mediation
Practices Dispassion
Free from Egotism, Violence, Arrogance, Desire, Possessiveness of property & selfishness

When one achieves Brahman, what do they experience:

Mentally Serene
Neither grieving or desiring
Equitably disposed to all living beings

All this is possibly only through Bhakti - unflinching, unwavering devotion

भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वत: । 
ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ॥ 18.55॥

Only by loving devotion to Me does one come to know who I am in Truth. Then, having come to know Me, My devotee enters into full consciousness of Me.

Sri Krishna repeats the core message: Dedicate all your activities in his name, keep consciousness absorbed in him and always remember him. With this core message, he pushes Arjuna to take up his bow and perform his duty i.e. to fight in the battlefield.

To conclude this article, we regale in the magnificence of this divine song - Srimad Bhagwad Gita with the most profound final verse of the same.

यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: ।
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥ 18.78॥

Wherever there is Shree Krishna, the Lord of all Yog, and wherever there is Arjun, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be unending opulence, victory, prosperity, and righteousness. Of this, I am certain.

Post Script:

This has been an enriching exercise over the last 18 days where I had to read each chapter at least thrice to arrive at a consensus. This is a humble attempt to create a summary of all the 18 chapters based on the motivation by a noble soul on X (formerly twitter). I am sure if I undertake this journey yet again in few years time, the choice of verses may be different. Life is a continuous learning experience and I continue to learn and evolve in days to come.

Please do share your view on the choice of shloka and my interpretations thereof. I would like to get your thoughts and feedback and maybe we discover something hidden in Srimad Bhagwad Gita.
 

Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanamastu

   Verses and meanings from:

https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/
https://shlokam.org/shloka/vishnu-sahasranamam.htm
https://shlokam.org/shloka/purusha-suktam.htm

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