अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्। त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन
arjuna uvācha sannyāsasya mahā-bāho tattvam ichchhāmi veditum tyāgasya cha hṛiṣhīkeśha pṛithak keśhi-niṣhūdana
Arjuna asked, "O Mighty One! I desire to know how relinquishment is distinguished from renunciation.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
श्री भगवानुवाच काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः। सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ sannyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ prāhus tyāgaṁ vichakṣhaṇāḥ
Lord Shri Krishna replied: The sages say that renunciation is forgoing an action that springs from desire, and relinquishing is the surrender of its fruit.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः। यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे
tyājyaṁ doṣha-vad ity eke karma prāhur manīṣhiṇaḥ yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyam iti chāpare
Some philosophers say that all action is evil and should be abandoned, whereas others maintain that acts of sacrifice, benevolence, and austerity should not be given up.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
निश्चयं श्रृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम।त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः संप्रकीर्तितः
niśhchayaṁ śhṛiṇu me tatra tyāge bharata-sattama tyāgo hi puruṣha-vyāghra tri-vidhaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ
O best of Indians! Listen to my judgment regarding this problem. It has a threefold aspect.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्।यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम्
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaṁ kāryam eva tat yajño dānaṁ tapaśh chaiva pāvanāni manīṣhiṇām
Acts of sacrifice, benevolence, and austerity should not be given up, but should be performed, for they purify the aspiring soul.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च।कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्िचतं मतमुत्तमम्
etāny api tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni cha kartavyānīti me pārtha niśhchitaṁ matam uttamam
But they should be done with detachment and without thought of reward. This is my final judgement.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते।मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः
niyatasya tu sannyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
It is not right to give up actions which are obligatory; and if they are misunderstood, it is the result of sheer ignorance.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्।स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत्
duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśha-bhayāt tyajet sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet
To avoid an action out of fear of physical suffering, as it is likely to be painful, is to act out of passion, and the benefit of renunciation will not be gained.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन।सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः
kāryam ity eva yat karma niyataṁ kriyate ‘rjuna saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalaṁ chaiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ
He who performs an obligatory action, believing it to be a duty that ought to be done, without any personal desire to do the act or to receive any return—such renunciation is pure.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते।त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः
na dveṣhṭy akuśhalaṁ karma kuśhale nānuṣhajjate tyāgī sattva-samāviṣhṭo medhāvī chhinna-sanśhayaḥ
The wise man who has attained purity, whose doubts are resolved, who is filled with the spirit of self-abnegation, does not shy away from action due to its pain, nor does he crave it due to its pleasure.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः।यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते
na hi deha-bhṛitā śhakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇy aśheṣhataḥ yas tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate
But since those still in the body cannot entirely avoid action, in their case, the abandonment of the fruit of action is considered as complete renunciation.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम्।भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित्
aniṣhṭam iṣhṭaṁ miśhraṁ cha tri-vidhaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam bhavaty atyāgināṁ pretya na tu sannyāsināṁ kvachit
For those who cannot renounce all desires, the fruit of action hereafter is threefold—good, evil, and partly good and partly evil. But for him who has renounced, there is none.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे।सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम्
pañchaitāni mahā-bāho kāraṇāni nibodha me sānkhye kṛitānte proktāni siddhaye sarva-karmaṇām
I will now tell you, O Mighty Man, the five causes that must come together, according to the final decision of philosophy, for an action to be accomplished.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम्।विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम्
adhiṣhṭhānaṁ tathā kartā karaṇaṁ cha pṛithag-vidham vividhāśh cha pṛithak cheṣhṭā daivaṁ chaivātra pañchamam
They have a body, a personality, physical organs, and manifold activities and destinies.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः।न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः
śharīra-vāṅ-manobhir yat karma prārabhate naraḥ nyāyyaṁ vā viparītaṁ vā pañchaite tasya hetavaḥ
Whatever action a person performs, whether by muscular effort, speech, or thought, and whether it be right or wrong, these five are the essential causes.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः।पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः
tatraivaṁ sati kartāram ātmānaṁ kevalaṁ tu yaḥ paśhyaty akṛita-buddhitvān na sa paśhyati durmatiḥ
But the fool, who, due to his immature judgment, supposes that it is his own Self alone that acts, perverts the truth and does not see rightly.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते।हत्वापि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते
yasya nāhankṛito bhāvo buddhir yasya na lipyate hatvā ‘pi sa imāl lokān na hanti na nibadhyate
He who has no pride and whose intellect is unalloyed by attachment, even though he kills these people, he does not kill them, and his act does not bind him.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना।करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसंग्रहः
jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ parijñātā tri-vidhā karma-chodanā karaṇaṁ karma karteti tri-vidhaḥ karma-saṅgrahaḥ
Knowledge, the knower, and the object of knowledge are the three incentives to action; and the act, the actor, and the instrument are the threefold constituents.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः।प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि
jñānaṁ karma cha kartā cha tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ prochyate guṇa-saṅkhyāne yathāvach chhṛiṇu tāny api
The knowledge, the action, and the doer differ according to their qualities. Listen to this as well.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते।अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम्
sarva-bhūteṣhu yenaikaṁ bhāvam avyayam īkṣhate avibhaktaṁ vibhakteṣhu taj jñānaṁ viddhi sāttvikam
That knowledge which sees the One Indestructible in all beings, the One Indivisible in all separate lives, can be truly called Pure Knowledge.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्।वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम्
pṛithaktvena tu yaj jñānaṁ nānā-bhāvān pṛithag-vidhān vetti sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu taj jñānaṁ viddhi rājasam
The knowledge that perceives the manifold existence in all beings as separate comes from passion.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम्।अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्
yat tu kṛitsna-vad ekasmin kārye saktam ahaitukam atattvārtha-vad alpaṁ cha tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
But that which clings blindly to one idea as if it were all, without logic, truth, or insight, has its origin in darkness.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते
niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣhataḥ kṛitam aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam uchyate
An obligatory action done by one who is disinterested, who neither likes nor dislikes it, and gives no thought to the consequences that may follow, such an action is Pure.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः।क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम्
yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhankāreṇa vā punaḥ kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ tad rājasam udāhṛitam
But even though an action involves the most strenuous endeavor, yet if the doer is seeking to gratify their desires and is filled with personal vanity, it may be assumed to originate in passion.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम्।मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते
anubandhaṁ kṣhayaṁ hinsām anapekṣhya cha pauruṣham mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam uchyate
An action undertaken through delusion, with no regard to the spiritual implications, the capacity of the doer, or the potential harm that may follow, is assumed to be a product of ignorance.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः।सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकारः कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते
mukta-saṅgo ‘nahaṁ-vādī dhṛity-utsāha-samanvitaḥ siddhy-asiddhyor nirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvika uchyate
But when a person has no sentiment or ego, when they possess courage and confidence, not caring whether they succeed or fail, then their action arises from purity.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः।हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः
rāgī karma-phala-prepsur lubdho hinsātmako ‘śhuchiḥ harṣha-śhokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
In one who is impulsive, greedy, looking for reward, violent, impure, and torn between joy and sorrow, it may be assumed that Passion is predominant.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः।विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते
ayuktaḥ prākṛitaḥ stabdhaḥ śhaṭho naiṣhkṛitiko ‘lasaḥ viṣhādī dīrgha-sūtrī cha kartā tāmasa uchyate
While he whose purpose is weak, who is low-minded, stubborn, dishonest, malicious, lazy, despondent, and procrastinating—he may be assumed to be in darkness.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं श्रृणु।प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय
buddher bhedaṁ dhṛiteśh chaiva guṇatas tri-vidhaṁ śhṛiṇu prochyamānam aśheṣheṇa pṛithaktvena dhanañjaya
Reason and conviction are threefold, according to the quality that is dominant. I will explain them fully and separately, O Arjuna!
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये।बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी
pravṛittiṁ cha nivṛittiṁ cha kāryākārye bhayābhaye bandhaṁ mokṣhaṁ cha yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī
That intellect which understands the creation and dissolution of life, what actions should be done and what not, which discriminates between fear and fearlessness, bondage and deliverance, is Pure.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च।अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ राजसी
yayā dharmam adharmaṁ cha kāryaṁ chākāryam eva cha ayathāvat prajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī
The intellect that does not understand what is right and wrong, and what should be done and not done, is under the sway of Passion.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसाऽऽवृता।सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धिः सा पार्थ तामसी
adharmaṁ dharmam iti yā manyate tamasāvṛitā sarvārthān viparītānśh cha buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī
And that which, shrouded in Ignorance, thinks wrong to be right, and sees everything perversely, O Arjuna, that intellect is ruled by Darkness.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः।योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी
dhṛityā yayā dhārayate manaḥ-prāṇendriya-kriyāḥ yogenāvyabhichāriṇyā dhṛitiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī
The conviction and steady concentration with which the mind, the energy, and the senses are controlled—O Arjuna!—are the result of purity.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन।प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी
yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛityā dhārayate ‘rjuna prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣhī dhṛitiḥ sā pārtha rājasī
The conviction that always holds fast to rituals, self-interest, and wealth for the sake of what they may bring forth comes from passion.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च।न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी
yayā svapnaṁ bhayaṁ śhokaṁ viṣhādaṁ madam eva cha na vimuñchati durmedhā dhṛitiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī
And that which clings perversely to false idealism, fear, grief, despair, and vanity is the product of ignorance.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं श्रृणु मे भरतर्षभ।अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति
sukhaṁ tv idānīṁ tri-vidhaṁ śhṛiṇu me bharatarṣhabha abhyāsād ramate yatra duḥkhāntaṁ cha nigachchhati yat tad agre viṣham iva pariṇāme ‘mṛitopamam tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam
Hear further the three kinds of pleasure. That which increases day by day delivers one from misery.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम्।तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम्
yat tad agre viṣam iva pariṇāme 'mṛtopamam tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam
Which at first seems like poison but afterwards acts like nectar—that pleasure is pure, for it is born of wisdom.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम्।परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम्
viṣhayendriya-sanyogād yat tad agre ’mṛitopamam pariṇāme viṣham iva tat sukhaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam
That which, at first, is like nectar, as the senses revel in their objects, but in the end acts like poison—that pleasure arises from Passion.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः।निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्
yad agre chānubandhe cha sukhaṁ mohanam ātmanaḥ nidrālasya-pramādotthaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
While the pleasure that drugs the senses from start to finish, which springs from indolence, lethargy, and folly—that pleasure flows from Ignorance.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः।सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्ित्रभिर्गुणैः
na tad asti pṛithivyāṁ vā divi deveṣhu vā punaḥ sattvaṁ prakṛiti-jair muktaṁ yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ
There is nothing anywhere on earth or in the higher worlds that is free from the three Qualities, for they are born of Nature.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परंतप।कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः
brāhmaṇa-kṣhatriya-viśhāṁ śhūdrāṇāṁ cha parantapa karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāva-prabhavair guṇaiḥ
O Arjuna! The duties of spiritual teachers, the soldiers, the traders, and the servants have all been fixed according to the dominant quality in their nature.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च।ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम्
śhamo damas tapaḥ śhauchaṁ kṣhāntir ārjavam eva cha jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam
Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, uprightness, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in God—these constitute the duty of a spiritual teacher.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम्।दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम्
śhauryaṁ tejo dhṛitir dākṣhyaṁ yuddhe chāpy apalāyanam dānam īśhvara-bhāvaśh cha kṣhātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam
Valor, glory, firmness, skill, generosity, steadiness in battle, and the ability to rule—these constitute the duty of a soldier. They flow from his own nature.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम्।परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम्
kṛiṣhi-gau-rakṣhya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśhya-karma svabhāva-jam paricharyātmakaṁ karma śhūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam
Agriculture, the protection of cows, and trade are the duties of a trader, in accordance with his nature. The duty of a servant is to serve, which also agrees with his nature.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः।स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु
sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ sansiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ sva-karma-nirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tach chhṛiṇu
Perfection is attained when one diligently attends to their duty. Listen, and I will tell you how it is attained by one who always minds their own duty.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम्।स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः
yataḥ pravṛittir bhūtānāṁ yena sarvam idaṁ tatam sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarchya siddhiṁ vindati mānavaḥ
One reaches perfection by dedicating their actions to God, Who is the source of all being and fills everything.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt svabhāva-niyataṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣham
It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never commits a sin.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्।सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः
saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣham api na tyajet sarvārambhā hi doṣheṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛitāḥ
The duty that falls to one's lot of its own accord should not be abandoned, though it may have its defects. All acts are marred by defects, just as fire is obscured by smoke.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः।नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां संन्यासेनाधिगच्छति
asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigata-spṛihaḥ naiṣhkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ sannyāsenādhigachchhati
He whose mind is entirely detached, who has conquered himself, and whose desires have vanished, reaches that stage of perfect freedom through his renunciation, where action completes itself and leaves no seed.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे।समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा
siddhiṁ prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣhṭhā jñānasya yā parā
I will now state briefly how one who has reached perfection finds the Eternal Spirit, the state of Supreme Wisdom.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्याऽऽत्मानं नियम्य च।शब्दादीन् विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च
buddhyā viśhuddhayā yukto dhṛityātmānaṁ niyamya cha śhabdādīn viṣhayāns tyaktvā rāga-dveṣhau vyudasya cha
Guided always by pure reason, bravely restraining himself, renouncing the objects of sense and giving up attachment and hatred; he attains peace.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः।ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः
vivikta-sevī laghv-āśhī yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ dhyāna-yoga-paro nityaṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāśhritaḥ
Enjoying solitude, being abstemious, having his body, mind, and speech under perfect control, and being absorbed in meditation, he becomes free—always filled with the spirit of renunciation.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम्।विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते
ahankāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ parigraham vimuchya nirmamaḥ śhānto brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
Having abandoned selfishness, power, arrogance, anger, and desire, possessing nothing of his own, and having attained peace, he is fit to join the Eternal Spirit.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति।समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम्
brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śhochati na kāṅkṣhati samaḥ sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām
When he unites with the Eternal and his soul knows the bliss of the Self, he feels no desire or regret, he regards all beings equally, and enjoys the blessing of supreme devotion to Me.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः।ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम्
bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaśh chāsmi tattvataḥ tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśhate tad-anantaram
By such devotion, he sees Me, who I am and what I am; and thus realizing the truth, he enters into My kingdom.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः।मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम्
sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśhrayaḥ mat-prasādād avāpnoti śhāśhvataṁ padam avyayam
Relying on Me in all his actions and doing them for My sake, he attains, by My grace, eternal and unchangeable life.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः।बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव
chetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ buddhi-yogam upāśhritya mach-chittaḥ satataṁ bhava
Surrender your actions to Me, live in Me, focus your intellect on Me, and always think of Me.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि।अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि
mach-chittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣhyasi atha chet tvam ahankārān na śhroṣhyasi vinaṅkṣhyasi
Fix your mind on Me, and by My grace you will overcome the obstacles in your path. But if, misled by pride, you do not listen, then you will indeed be lost.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे।मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति
yad ahankāram āśhritya na yotsya iti manyase mithyaiṣha vyavasāyas te prakṛitis tvāṁ niyokṣhyati
If you in your vanity think of avoiding this fight, your will shall not be fulfilled, for Nature herself will compel you.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा।कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत्
swbhāva-jena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā kartuṁ nechchhasi yan mohāt kariṣhyasy avaśho ’pi tat
O Arjuna! Your duty binds you. It has arisen from your own nature, and that which you do not desire to do in your delusion, you will do that very thing. You are helpless.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति।भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया
īśhvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛid-deśhe ‘rjuna tiṣhṭhati bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā
God dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna! He causes them to revolve, as it were, on a wheel, by His mystic power.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत।तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम्
tam eva śharaṇaṁ gachchha sarva-bhāvena bhārata tat-prasādāt parāṁ śhāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śhāśhvatam
With all your strength, fly to Him and surrender yourself, and by His grace you will attain Supreme Peace and reach the Eternal Home.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया।विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु
iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā vimṛiśhyaitad aśheṣheṇa yathechchhasi tathā kuru
Thus, I have revealed to you the truth, the mystery of mysteries. Having thought it over, you are free to act as you wish.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः श्रृणु मे परमं वचः।इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम्
sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śhṛiṇu me paramaṁ vachaḥ iṣhṭo ‘si me dṛiḍham iti tato vakṣhyāmi te hitam
Listen to My last word once more, the deepest secret of all; you are My beloved, you are My friend, and I speak for your welfare.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु।मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru mām evaiṣhyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo ‘si me
Dedicate yourself to Me, worship Me, sacrifice all for Me, prostrate yourself before Me, and you will surely come to Me. I truly pledge to you; you are My beloved.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ
Give up your earthly duties, surrender yourself to Me alone. Do not be anxious; I will absolve you from all your sins.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन।न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति
idaṁ te nātapaskyāya nābhaktāya kadāchana na chāśhuśhruṣhave vāchyaṁ na cha māṁ yo ‘bhyasūtayi
Do not speak this to one who has not practiced austerities, or to one who does not love, or who will not listen, or who mocks.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति।भक्ितं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः
ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ mad-bhakteṣhv abhidhāsyati bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛitvā mām evaiṣhyaty asanśhayaḥ
But he who teaches this great secret to My devotees, his is the highest devotion, and he shall surely come to Me.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्िचन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः।भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि
na cha tasmān manuṣhyeṣhu kaśhchin me priya-kṛittamaḥ bhavitā na cha me tasmād anyaḥ priyataro bhuvi
There is no one among men who can perform a service dearer to Me than this, nor is there any man on earth more beloved by Me than him.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः।ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः
adhyeṣhyate cha ya imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādam āvayoḥ jñāna-yajñena tenāham iṣhṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ
He who will study this spiritual discourse of ours, I assure you, they shall thereby worship Me at the altar of Wisdom.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च श्रृणुयादपि यो नरः।सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम्
śhraddhāvān anasūyaśh cha śhṛiṇuyād api yo naraḥ so ‘pi muktaḥ śhubhāl lokān prāpnuyāt puṇya-karmaṇām
Yes, he who listens to it with faith and without doubt, even he, freed from evil, will rise to the worlds which the virtuous attain through righteous deeds.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा।कच्चिदज्ञानसंमोहः प्रनष्टस्ते धनञ्जय
kachchid etach chhrutaṁ pārtha tvayaikāgreṇa chetasā kachchid ajñāna-sammohaḥ pranaṣhṭas te dhanañjaya
O Arjuna, have you listened attentively to My words? Has your ignorance and delusion gone?
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
अर्जुन उवाचनष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत।स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव
arjuna uvācha naṣhṭo mohaḥ smṛitir labdhā tvat-prasādān mayāchyuta sthito ‘smi gata-sandehaḥ kariṣhye vachanaṁ tava
Arjuna replied: "My Lord! O Immutable One! My delusion has fled. By Your Grace, O Changeless One, the light has dawned. My doubts have been dispelled, and I stand before You ready to do Your will."
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
सञ्जय उवाचइत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः।संवादमिममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम्
sañjaya uvācha ity ahaṁ vāsudevasya pārthasya cha mahātmanaḥ saṁvādam imam aśhrauṣham adbhutaṁ roma-harṣhaṇam
Sanjaya said: "I heard this rare, wonderful, and soul-stirring discourse between Lord Shri Krishna and the great-souled Arjuna.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम्।योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम्
vyāsa-prasādāch chhrutavān etad guhyam ahaṁ param yogaṁ yogeśhvarāt kṛiṣhṇāt sākṣhāt kathayataḥ svayam
Through the blessing of the sage Vyasa, I heard this secret and noble science from the lips of its Master, Lord Shri Krishna.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम्।केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः
rājan sansmṛitya sansmṛitya saṁvādam imam adbhutam keśhavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṁ hṛiṣhyāmi cha muhur muhuḥ
O King! The more I think of that marvelous and holy discourse, the more I lose myself in joy.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः। विस्मयो मे महान् राजन् हृष्यामि च पुनः पुनः
tach cha sansmṛitya saṁsmṛitya rūpam aty-adbhutaṁ hareḥ vismayo ye mahān rājan hṛiṣhyāmi cha punaḥ punaḥ
As I recall again and again the exceeding beauty of the Lord, I am filled with amazement and joy.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः। तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम।।18.78।
yatra yogeśhvaraḥ kṛiṣhṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ tatra śhrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama
Wherever Lord Shri Krishna, the Prince of Wisdom, and Arjuna, the Great Archer, are, I am certain that good fortune, victory, happiness, and righteousness will follow.
Translated by Shri Purohit Swami