Sanskrit Verses

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This chapter is a summary of all the instructions given so far, in a condensed form. At the outset, Arjuna is asking a question. He asks the Lord, “Krishna, Tell me the essential features of Sanyaasa and Tyaaga i.e. renunciation and abandonment. The Lord replies,

Sanyaasa or renunciation is the renunciation of ego, the doership notion. Tyaaga is the abandonment of fruits of all actions. Then the Lord gives an exhaustive analysis of the 3 gunas, varying degrees of which determine each person’s personality and behavior. Firstly Tyaaga based on these 3 gunas. Sattvic Tyaaga is performing one’s duties promptly and well with no attachment either to the action or to the result. A person with this attitude performs the duty not because he gets or wants to get anything from it for himself. Rajasic Tyaaga is abandoning actions for fear of bodily trouble. Tamasic Tyaaga is abandoning one’s obligatory duties, duties that are required to be done. So, a true Tyaagi or a true man of abandonment is one for whom, duty has no aspects such as agreeable or disagreeable, dignified or undignified. He gets the same satisfaction from the performance of all kinds of work.

The Lord, then classifies knowledge based on the 3 Gunas. Knowledge by which the one imperishable being, the paramatman is seen in all existence is Sattvic knowledge. Knowledge by which one does not recognize the oneness in existence is Rajasic knowledge. Knowledge by which one is sunk in worldly pleasures and denying the existence of a higher power is Tamasic knowledge.

Similarly, Action which is performed without love or hatred, without desire for the fruits of that action is Sattvic action. Action to gratify a desire is Rajasic action. Careless, irresponsible actions are Tamasic actions.

The doers of actions can also be likewise classified. A Sattvic doer is one who acts joyfully. For him, work means worship of the Lord. A Rajasic doer acts with the motive of profit for himself. He is not reluctant to harm others to secure his interests. To him work means labor. A Tamasic doer is one who calculates maximum benefit out of minimum effort. He is arrogant, cunning and complaining in nature.

Right understanding or Budhi can also be classified in the same manner. Sattvic budhi discriminates between constructive work and destructive work i.e. between what will tie one to worldly existence and what will liberate one. Rajasic budhi misunderstands the right for the wrong and the wrong for the right. Tamasic budhi dictates only mistakes, arrives at only erroneous, wrong judgments.

Then the Lord classifies firmness or dhriti. Sattvic dhriti is that firm endurance to bounce up again, in spite of all failures to meet fresh challenges. Rajasic firmness is the consistency of purpose in acquiring wealth and worldly pleasures to gain happiness for oneself. Tamasic dhriti is the consistency in clinging to stupidity, fear, grief and pride.

The Lord then explains sukha or happiness. Sattvic sukha is a lasting happiness combined with a sense of security and fulfillment. Rajasic sukha is the fleeting joy, produced when the sense organs experience a thrill. Tamasic sukha is the dull joy one gets from sleeping and eating (eating what? More and more sweets!!)

Next, humanity is classified into four types by the Lord. Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. Each individual comes back to the world with a bundle of vasanas gathered from past actions prompted by the three gunas. Each individual’s birth in a family, in a given surrounding is determined by his own past actions. The duties allotted to everyone are based upon their nature and fitness to do that particular action or work. By being loyal to one’s allotted duties, one gains happiness. Faithful discharge of one’s own duty is far better in every way than even the very best performance of another duty. No one incurs sin by the performance of one’s own work, which is in line with one’s own vasanas. Then the Lord tells Arjuna, that he is very dear to the Lord and hence the Lord advises him the secret of the highest wisdom. This is ” Always take refuge in the Lord. Discharge all one’s duties. Always fix one’s mind on the Lord. Dedicate all actions to the Lord in the firm faith that He is the ultimate goal of human existence. Surrender oneself totally to the Lord and He would release everyone from their sins. Hence there is no cause to grieve”.

The Lord then says, that these teachings should not be imparted to those who do not have mental discipline, to those who do not have firm faith in the Lord , to those who do not do selfless service and above all those who do not have the inspiring urge to reach the Lord.

Finally, the Lord says, He is dearest to me who imparts this knowledge to earnest spiritual students. Study of the Gita is a great yagna or sacrifice because the student offers his ignorance to be burnt up in the fire of knowledge. Even those who listen to the Gita with faith in the Lord reach the land of the meritorious, the world of peace and joy, for the reaction of their past misdeeds will not act upon them.