Compiled by Amritananda das, Seattle email : amritanandadas@yahoo.

com
Jaladuta
 oà ajïäna-timirändhasya jïänäïjana-çaläkayä
cakñur unmélitaà yena tasmai çré-gurave namaù

çré-caitanya-mano-'bhéñöaà sthäpitaà yena bhü-tale

svayaà rüpaù kadä mahyaà dadäti sva-padäntikam

vande 'haà çré-guroù çré-yuta-pada-kamalaà

çré-gurün vaiñëaväàç ca çré-rüpaà sägrajätaà
saha-gaëa-raghunäthänvitaà taà sa-jévam
sädvaitaà sävadhütaà parijana-sahitaà
kåñëa-caitanya-devaà çré-rädhä-kåñëa-pädän
saha-gaëa-lalitä-çré-viçäkhänvitäàç ca

he kåñëa karuëä-sindho déna-bandho jagat-pate

gopeça gopikä-känta rädhä-känta namo 'stu te

tapta-käïcana-gauräìgi rädhe våndävaneçvari

våñabhänu-sute devi praëamämi hari-priye

väïchä-kalpatarubhyaç ca kåpä-sindhubhya eva ca

patitänäà pävanebhyo vaiñëavebhyo namo namaù

çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu-nityänanda
çré-advaita gadädhara çréväsädi-gaura-bhakta-vånda

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare

hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare
 Chapter 18
Sections
Section Verse Description
A 18.1 to 18.12 Acting with detachment is true Renunciation and
brings freedom from reaction.
B 18.13 to 18.18 The conclusion of sankhya and vedanta: Actions
directed by the supersoul bring freedom from
reaction.
C 18.19 to 18.40 The entanglement of the three modes.
D 18.41 to 18.48 Worshiping the lord through one's occupational
work is true renunciation and brings freedom from
reactions.
E 18.49 to 18.55 From jnana-yoga to pure devotional service.
F 18.56 to 18.60 Working in pure devotional service
G 18.61 to 18.63 Surrender to the Supersoul
H 18.64 to 18.66 The MOST CONFIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE of all
: BECOME A PURE DEVOTEE OF KRSNA
I 18.67 to 18.71 Preaching and studying the Bhagavad-Gita
J 18.72 to 18.73 Arjuna is firmly fixed
K 18.74 to 18.78 Sanjaya's predictions
 Summary - Section - A

Acting with detachment is true

Renunciation and brings freedom from
reaction.
1-6 A true sannyasi does not renounce
his activities, but renounces the
fruits of his activities.
Summary of Chapter 1-6
Karma Section
7-12 Renouncing one's prescribed duties
in illusion is ignorance. Renouncing
one's prescribed duties out of fear is
passion. But dutifully performing
one's prescribed duties with
detachment is renunciation in
goodness. Such renouncers suffer no
reactions.

Verse 18.1 to 18.12

 Religious duties as opposed to worldly duties
Conclusion ~

purify the heart The Perfection of Renunciation

 Sacrifice, Charity & Penance should never

be given up – they purify even the great 18.5 Text 1-5
souls
Summary of Verses 1-5
Lord Sri Krishna's opinion
There are 3 kinds of renunciation based on 3 modes
Lord’s opinion stands above all Vedas. After all, the
18.4 Arjuna ask
Vedas are different laws given by God Himself s Kris
i
His words should be taken as final What is ttyyä shna to clarif ify
18.1 sanny ga? & Wh
äsa?; also a t is
the dif i f
fference
Krishna continues, there are different opinions in abandoning between th
Should e t
tww o ?
activities one work
detached while rem
Some say all fruitive activity is faulty from the f aining
karma) or r u it of work (n
Others maintain that acts of sacrifice, charity & 18.3 should on iskama-
e
to perform renounce activities
penance should never be abandoned jnana-yog
a?

Krishna begins by citing great philosophers who says :

‘tyäga
tyäga’ – To renounce the results of all activities
‘sannyäsa
sannyäsa’ – To renounce the activities that are
based on material desire, which implies to 18.2
renounce fruits & also the work itself
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 1
Arjuna’s question about difference
between tyäga & is sannyäsa?

Discussion in the Purport

Devotional service
d
r i ma Gétä (Bhakti) unto
S ad
v Main emphasis of
ha ga SPOG is the
B every chapter of BG
ultimate goal of
life

Bg Ch 18 summarizes same point, ‘Devotional

service as the most confidential knowledge’

Ch 13-17 establishes devotional service on the authority of

Vedanta-sutra, meant for understanding devotional service, also
recommends "Do all acts in conjunction with the Lord - Om tat
sat”

liffee
of li
poossee of Human form of
Purrp
Pu Middle six chapters describe pure
ter 18) –
ap
(As per Chapter 2 and Ch devotional service & its nature & activity
ent of
Renunciation & attainm
above the three
transcendental position
modes
First six chapters conclude in Text 6.47 –
“Yoginam api…”, Bhakti-yoga is the best
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Arjuna uses 3 names to address Krsna Text 1 …contd

Glorifying Krsna’s greatness

mahä-bäho
Mighty-armed one
The Most powerful one,
hence Krsna will help
Arjuna to clear his
doubts & increase his
faith
håñékeça
Master of the senses
 One who helps to attain mental
serenity
 Arjuna uses this name because he
wants to know everything clearly
so that he can be equipoised

Keçé niñüdana
Killer of the Keçi demon
Killer of Kesi demon &
now He is expected to kill
the doubts which are
compared to demons
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 2
Lord Krishna reply's by citing
opinions of great philosophers

Discussion in the Purport

Message of Bhagavad-gita 18.2

Performance of activities for results

has to be given up
e.g. Sacrifices to attain a good son or
sannyäsa elevation to higher planets tyäga

But, activities for advanced

Sannyäsa is an spiritual activities are not to be given up
ashram & it e.g. Sacrifices for purification of one’s heart
means
renouncing the
ut
Kämyä karma b
one taking the
m
sannyäsa ashra
must perfrom
Nitya karma
 Karma Broad Classification of Karma

Nitya Naimittika Kamya Prayaschitta Nishiddha

karma karma karma karma karma
Daily Occasional Rites done to Rites for Forbidden
obligatory obligatory attain expiation action
duties duties specific (atonement)
desired of sins
results
Exampl Exampl Exampl Exampl Exampl
e 16 or
e 40 e
Jyotistoma
e for
Rites e
• Gayatri killing,
Samskara Yagna for expiation
• Japa drinking etc
mentioned in reaching (atonement)
• Daily
Vedic Heaven of sins like
homam scriptures Candrayana
like Vrata
Garbhadana,
Upanayan,
Sraddha etc.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 3
m e say al l
So c t iv i t y Different opinion among sages
i v e a
fruit u l t y that
, say charity
is fa e r s
Oth crifice, ld
sa ou
of sh
acts penance ndoned
&
e r be
aba Subjects of contention
ne v

Similarly, example
of subjects of
contention in
Vedic literatures

Animal killing in
sacrifice is a subject
of contention among
the sages

Some, says that animal

Some sages maintain killing in a sacrifice is
recommended in the Vedic
that animal killing is
literature, the animal is not
completely considered to be killed. The
abominable sacrifice is to give a new
life to the animal.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 4
Lord Krishna’s Opinion Lord Krishna’s
opinion is that there
are three kinds of
renunciation based
on the three modes
Lord’s opinion stands above
all Vedas. After all, the Vedas
are different laws given by
God Himself. (SB 6.3.19)

His words should be

taken as final.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Acts of sacrifice, charity &

penance are not to be given up; Text 5
they must be performed.
Indeed, sacrifice, charity & Lord Krishna’s Opinion
penance purify even the great
souls.

Discussion in the Purport

Suggest Suggestion to yogis / advanced souls /

io n sannyasi’s is that, they must perform acts
for advancement of human society

Example
of suc  Purpose: To regulate the human mind so that it
purificato h becomes peaceful for spiritual advancement
ry
processes  Attitude of sannyasi: Should never discourage one
viväha-ya in the lower stages of life e.g. a young man to
j ïa practice this yajna

Example It is for purification of heart ,especially if

of
charity it is given to suitable persons, it leads to
advanced spiritual life
What should be the attitude
while performing sacrifice, Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

charity & penance?

Without attachment or
Text 6
any expectation of result
Attitude while performing
sacrifice, charity & penance
Only as a matter of duty
for the purpose of
purification of one’s
existence
Only as a matter of duty for
Without attachment or
the purpose of purification
any expectation of result
of one’s existence
 Example of what should be  Example of what should be
given up – All sacrifices encouraged – Everything that
meant for material leads to KC must be
advancement should be encouraged
given up, since they bind the  Ref. SB 1.2.6: “sa vai
living entities pumsam…” – Highest criteria
of religion is anything which
leads to devotional service
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation
Prescribed duties shou
ld never
Text 7 be renounced. If one
gives up his
prescribed duties beca
use of
illusion, such renunci
Renunciation in the mode of Ignorance ation is
said to be in the mode
of
ignorance
In 18.7 Lord Krishna equates

tyäga sannyäsa
parityägas

So, “Are sannyäsa & tyäga the same or different?”

Though some think they are different, Krishna’s opinion
is that the renounced order of life and renunciation of the
fruits of work are, in fact, exactly the same. Indeed, Srila
Prabhupada translates both words here as “renunciation.”

Activities which promotes one

Examples of to spiritual activity are
Sannyäsé may perform
Cooking & recommended e.g. cooking &
marriage ceremony for his
marriage offering to the Lord. For a
disciple to help him
ceremony sannyäsé, cooking for oneself
advance in Krishna
is prohibited, but cooking for
consciousness
Supreme Lord is not
prohibited
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Giving up prescribed
duties as Text 8
troublesome or out
of fear of bodily Renunciation in the mode of Passion
discomfort
Examples

In KC, giving up If by rising early

earning money out in the morning
of fear that it is one can advance
fruitive activity is his KC, one
not recommended, should not desist
one should engage out of fear or
his money in KC consider to be
activities. troublesome

Result of passionate work

Result of passionate work
is always miserable. If a
person renounces work in
that spirit, he never gets
the result of renunciation.
Renunciation in Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Goodness
Text 9
Performing prescribed
duty because it is Renunciation in the mode of Goodness
ought to be done

Renouncing all material Example

associations & all
attachment to the fruit
KC
A man working in
not
in a factory, does
associate himself
e
with the work of th
e
factory nor with th
workers of the
factory – Simply
&
works for Krishna
gives the result to
Krishna, thus
situated on
transcendental
platform.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 10 u nc er
R e no
Symptoms of proper renunciation ge nt Has no
t e l li doubts
In
about work
Neither hateful
of inauspicious
work nor attached
to auspicious work,
which means
One who is
in the mode
One does not hate anyone or
of goodness anything that troubles his body
Works in proper place at
proper time
Without fearing the
troublesome effects
 Same topic is also Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

discussed in Bg
3.5 Text 11
It's impossible to give up all
activities completely

le for an What is true renunciat

 It is impossib To perform only religio
ion?
g to give
embodied bein us
s, soul is duties, and without
up all activitie attachment to their frui
ust act.
active and it m ts.
ribed
 Hence, presc e.g. Many members
never be
duties should ISKCON work very ha
of
ther than
renounced ra their office and whateve
rd in
pr o per
performing im they earn they give to th
r
activities. society. Such highly
e
elevated souls are actu
al
sannyasis
 Attached to fruits
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation
Has to suffer or enjoy
Text 12 the threefold reactions
of material existence
Reaction based on different kinds
Detached from fruits
of Renunciations He becomes liberated from all
What is the
the threefold reactions –
result
desirable, undesirable &
achieved after mixed
death?

Although var
ious good &
reactions res bad
ult from reli
duties, one w gious
ho works wit What about
desires for th h ou t
ese fruits is person acting
subject to th n ot
em. in KC?

 KC person is always
liberated
 Since he is acting in
knowledge of
relationship with
Krishna
 Therefore he does not
have to suffer or enjoy
the results of his acts
after death
 Summary - Section - B

The conclusion of Sankhya and Vedanta:

Actions directed by the SUPERSOUL bring
freedom from Reaction.
13-18  Krishna cites Vedanta and analyzes
activities as comprised of five factors;
Summary of Chapter 13-17
Jnana Section
this is to help us perform activities
without becoming bound
 Most prominent of these factors is the
Supersoul
 Acting under the Supersoul’s direction,
one is unaffected by reactions to his
actions

Verse 18.13 to 18.18

 Five causes of action
daivaà
Supersoul
adhiñöhänaà
Place of kartä ceñöä (All our
activities depend
action (Body) Soul
karaëaà Endeavour or
on His
Senses efforts
(The Doer) will/sanction)
(Instruments of
action)
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 13-14
5 causes (factors) of action

Ultimate cause
daivaà kartä Vedanta Sutra
Supersoul
(All our activities depend on His  The doer (consciousness
will/sanction) reflected in false ego)
 Kartä refers to soul because
he is acting to bring about the
adhiñöhänaà kartä results of his activity
Place of Soul  Supporting Ref. For soul as
action (Body) (The Doer) the knower & doer
Material cause • Prasna Upanishad,Vedanta Lord Krishna
Sutra refers to
karaëaà ceñöä Vedanta
Senses (Instruments Endeavour or
of action) efforts Sutra
Material cause Material cause

Person acting in KC
• Naturally not bound by
any activity, since acting
under direction of
Supersoul in heart
• Those in complete KC
of act io n are not ultimately

i v e ca uses responsible for their

F actions
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 15
daivaà
These five causes co-operatively Supersoul
perform every action (All our activities
depend on His
will/sanction)

t h R ight &
adhiñöhänaà Bo action
s kartä
o n g
Wr ed by
f or m Soul
per
Place of
(The Doer)
Speech
action (Body)

Body

Mind
Wrong actions Right actions

karaëaà ceñöä
Irreligious Senses
Religious
Endeavour or
Work done (Instruments of efforts Work done in
against action) terms of
principles of prescribed
scriptural scriptural
injunctions directions
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 16
Does not consider The Supreme
Lord as the Final doer Non-intelligent seer

It is not intelligent to consider

oneself as independent doer of one’s
actions

Me
Me
Me
Me
Me
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

One who does not foolishly think Text 17

himself as the sole cause, unattached to
fruits, is not bound by the actions
Intelligent seer
Not motivated by false ego

Intelligence is not entangled

t
How abou
Krsna
actions in
ness?
Conscious
is
Why some
acting in
Who is illusion?  Action in KC under
perfect at Supersoul’s direction is
ything
doing ever non-reactive
& never in  Analogy: Soldier killing
illusion? ‘Personal activity’ & under the command of a
‘Responsibility’ arise superior officer
from false ego &
One who knows the godlessness, or a lack of
instruments of work, Krsna Consciousness
himself as the worker &
Supreme Lord as the
supreme sanctioner
 Action is motivated by knower knowing
the known, in other words activity is
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

motivated by a person(knower)
perceiving a desirable object/goal. Text 18
Being thus inspired, action is carried out
by senses with effort (work), exerted by
3 Impetus (motivators) & 3
Karta (doer). constituents of action

s 3 co
p etu nsti
tuen
3 Im ts

jïänam karma
knowledge the work

jïeyam
object of
karaëaà
knowledge the senses

parijïätä karteti
the knower the doer

Any work done has

these elements
 k-
MaRSa°h
karma-saìgrahaù
"
Accumulation of work
Bg 18.18
Before one acts, there
is some impetus which
is called inspiration

Inspiration to work is
Work (Planning) Any solution arrived at
the same if it comes Subtle form of action before work is actualized
Inspiration from scripture or is a subtle form of work.
from instruction of Then work takes the
spiritual master form of action

ivity
act
a l
tu
feeling Impetus Ac
thinking
willing

The actual activity takes place

by the help of the senses,
including the mind, which is
the center of all the senses.
Action

First one has to undergo the

psychological process of thinking, feeling
& willing & that is called impetus
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 19
Knowledge, Action & Performer of
Action in 3 modes

jïänam jïeyam
object of
karaëaà
knowledge
knowledge
s
sna skip
Lord Kr , since jïänaà
ses
the sen to
e used
they ar t the
Knowledge
u
carry o
acti ns
o

parijïätä karteti Lord Krishna

the knower the doer will further
(18.20-33)
kartä describe
Performer of Knowledge,
action Action &
performer of
action in 3
karma modes.
Action
 Summary - Section - C

The Modes Control All the Activities.

Summary of Yoga Ladder (18.19-66)
19-40  One’s work according to the five
 18.19-40 Karma (Modes control all activities) factors is dictated by the three
 18.41-48 Sakama to Niskama Karma yoga
 18.49-55 Niskama thru Liberation, then modes of material nature
Devotional Service  This includes:
 18.56-60 Working in Pure Devotional Service
 One’s knowledge (19-22)
 18.61-63 More Confidential Knowledge :
Surrender to Supersoul  One’s action (23-26)
 18.64-66 Most Confidential Knowledge :  One’s performance of action (27-
Become a pure devotee of 28)
Lord Krishna
 One’s understandings (29-32)
 One’s determination(33-35)
 One’s happiness (36-39)
 All activities within the universe are
thus controlled by the three modes

Verse 18.19 to 18.40

 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 20
Knowledge in Goodness

That knowledge by which

that undivided spiritual
nature is seen in all the
living entities, though they Knowledge
are divided into in
innumerable forms Goodness

isio n
V
• Sees one spirit soul, although
they have different bodies in
terms of their previous work.
• Sees that living energy is
imperishable, although the
bodies are perishable.
• Sees that differences are
perceived in terms of the body,
because of many forms of
material existence in
conditional life.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 21
Knowledge in Passion

That knowledge by which

one sees in every different
body there is different type
of living entity.

Examples
• The concept that the material body
is the living entity and with the
destruction of the body,
consciousness is also destroyed
• Cause of different bodies – They
say bodies differ from one another
because of development of
different types of consciousness
• No separate soul – Body itself is
the soul. Consciousness is
temporary
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 22
Knowledge in Ignorance

That knowledge by which one

is attached to one type of work
as all in all, without
knowledge of the truth &
which is very meager

Examples
• Knowledge of common man
• Knowledge limited to body, because
not developed through authorities
or scriptural injunctions
• For him God is money &
knowledge implies satisfaction of
bodily demands
o No connection with Absolute
Truth
o Like knowledge of ordinary
animals

God is Money
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 23
Actions in Goodness

h i c h is: o rme
d
w r f
Acti
on •Pe
i t h out nt,
t e d by w
a c h me e or
a
l
•Regu ’s att
ou t lov
a t iv e wit d h
sastr out frui e
•With s hatr
e
desir

Srila Prabhupada closely equates the mode of goodness with

Krishna consciousness, in the purport
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 24
Actions in mode of Passion

• Action with great • Enacted from a

effort by one sense of false ego
seeking to gratify
his desires
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 25
Actions in mode of Ignorance

fo r med In
r
ti o n pe sion d is
reg
Ac n illu a rd
i
of
s
inj cript
un ura
cti
on l

c t i o ns in
A
ance
W
ith Ignor
or out
th con
e d ce
ist rn
re
s s fo r n for
to vio e r
o t h le c o nc a g e
er nce t
t
ho u e b o n
d
s i
W t ur
fu
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 26
Workers in mode of Goodness

 Performs his duty without

association with the modes of
material nature & without false
ego
 With great determination &
enthusiasm
 Without wavering in success or
failure

Srila Prabhupada closely equates workers in the mode of

goodness with Krishna consciousness, in the purport
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 27
Workers in mode of Passion

 Attached to work & fruits of work,

desiring to enjoy those fruits
 Who is greedy
 Always envious, impure & moved by joy
& sorrow
• e.g. Too much attached to a certain
kind of work or result because too
much attached for materialism or
hearth & home, wife & children
• Has no desire for higher elevation in life
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 28
Workers in mode of Ignorance

 Works against the injunctions of

scriptures
 Materialistic
 Obstinate
 Cheating & expert in insulting others
 Lazy, always morose &
procrastinating (Anything which can
be done in an hour, they drag on for
years)
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 29
3 kinds of Understanding & Determination

One who is not Krishna conscious

is forced to act by the modes of
material nature.

Lord will further explain

Understanding & Determination
in 3 modes.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 30

o o d n ess
i ng in g
r st an d e d one
Unde t to b
t o ugh e
n o w s wha t to be don is
ek no at
 On what ought red and wh
and to b e fea
hat is
 W o be feared and what is
not t b i nding
is f
at
 Wh ating? i n t e rms o
ns
liber rming actio ns is called
fo io
 Per ural direct
script i” n s l ead s to
rtt ti o
“prav ng such ac
o t doi
 N
n g le ment
ent a
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 31

a s s io n
d i ng in p
n d erstan t inguis
h
U t d i s
anno rreligion
ic h c
T h at wh ligion & i ould be

t w e en re n
h
that s ld not be
be ti o
e tw e en ac t ha t shou
 B
e & action
do n
done
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 32

o r an ce
d ing in ign gion &
rst an e re l i
Unde ligion
to b
e
n si d ers irr rreligion.
 Co ion to be i
relig s o u l t o be a n to
Exam
ple
s a g reat s mmon ma
r
C o n s id e an & a c o
 on m to be
comm at soul nt r ut h
e a g re
n t ru th&u
b
u th t o be u d arkness
T r

u t h f i l lu sion & irection
tr
t h e s pell o e wrong d
U n d er a y s in th
 lw
S t ri ve s a

 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 33
Determination in Goodness

 Determination which is
unbreakable
 Sustained with steadfastness
by yoga practice
 Controls the activities of the
mind, life & senses
avyabhicäriëyä
Means that persons who are
engaged in Krishna
consciousness are never
deviated by any other activity
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 34
Determination in Passion

One holds fast to fruitive results in

religion, economic development & sense
gratification
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 35
Determination in Ignorance
lamentation

fearfulness moroseness
Determination
which cannot
go beyond,

Dreaming illusion

g means too
Here dreamin ys dreaming
sl e e p & a lwa
much d
material worl
of lording over
atural
Drreeaming is n present
lways
Dreaming is a
ness, passion
either in good
& ignorance
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 36
Happiness in 3 modes will be described

How to get relief from such

Analogy
entanglement?
(repetitive so-called happiness)
 Only by association Chewing
of great souls Conditioned soul is the chewed
 When awakened to trying to enjoy
real Krishna material
consciousness happiness
again & again
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 37
Happiness in Goodness

Awakens one
Many rules Successful to
l
& regulation
s transcendenta self-r lizatio
ea n
It is like m in d realization is
to control
poison in the & senses m a y like nectar
beginning & appear bitter
nectar in the like poison
end
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 38

Happiness in Passion

Derived from contact of

senses with the sense
objects

It appears like
nectar at first but
poison at the end

Example…
omen meet
Young man & w
e to see,
& senses drive on
al
touch & have sexu
ne ct ar ) – at
intercourse (like
ay be
the end there m
ce,
separation, divor
(like poison)
lamentation etc.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 39 Blind to self

realization

It’s delusion from

beginning to end

Arises from sleep,

laziness, illusion
What is the Illusion?
No idea how to act & how
not to act

What is the
difference between
Happiness in passion
& Happiness in
ignorance?
In passion there might be
some kind of ephemeral
happiness in the beginning
& at the end distress, but
for one in ignorance there
is only distress both in the
beginning & at the end
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 40
No one is free from the 3 modes

No-one, either here

(ea h)) or amon
rtth
ar ong g
the demigods, is
freed from the
infl uen
flu enc of these
cee of
three mode dess
 Modes of Material Nature – Comparative Study
Ignorance
General Foolishness, madness,
Characteristics illusion, inertia, indolence
and sleep.
Destination After The hellish worlds and the
death animal kingdom.
Objects of Ghosts and spirits.
worship
Food Tasteless, stale, putrid,
decomposed, unclean.
Cooked more than three
hours before being eaten.
Remnants of the meals of
others. Meat, fish, eggs and
liquor.
Passion Goodness Pure
Goodness
Unlimited, Relative purity, Complete, unmotivated,
uncontrollable desires illumination, happiness unfailing devotion to the
and longings, intense and freedom from sinful Supreme Personality of
endeavor, greed, reactions. Conducive to Godhead. Absolute
bondage to material real knowledge. knowledge, purity,
fruitive activities and illumination, happiness
attachment to the fruits and freedom from sinful
of action. reactions.
The association of The heavenly planets. The eternal abode of the
fruitive workers on the Supreme Lord.
earthly planets.
Demons, powerful men The demigods and the The Supreme Personality
and self-proclaimed impersonal conception of Godhead.
imitation gods. of God.
Too bitter, sour, salty, Increases longevity, Frees one from past sinful
pungent, rich, dry or purifies one’s reactions and protects one
hot. Causes pain, existence, gives from future contamination.
distress and disease. strength, health, Invokes one’s dormant
happiness and Krsna consciousness.
satisfaction. Prepared by devotees
Nourishing, sweet, according to scriptural
juicy, fattening and injunctions and offered
palatable. Milk with devotion to the
products, grains, sugar, Supreme Lord. Remnants
fruit and vegetables. of the meal of a saintly
person or the spiritual
master.
 Modes of Material Nature – Comparative Study
Ignorance
Sacrifice Performed faithlessly, in
defiance of scriptural
injunctions, and with no
spiritual food distributed,
no hymns chanted and no
remuneration made to the
priests.
Austerity Performed foolishly by
means of obstinate self-
torture or to destroy or
injure others.
Charity Performed at an improper
time and place, to an
unworthy person like a
gambler or drunkard, or
contemptuously, without
respect.
Passion Goodness Pure Goodness
Performed proudly, Performed as a duty, according Performed according to scriptural
ostentatiously, for the to scriptural regulations, and injunctions, and under the guidance of the
sake of some material with no expectation of reward. spiritual master, to please the Supreme
end or benefit (such as Lord.
elevation to the
heavenly kingdom).
Performed Performed with faith and Performed with faith and with a desire to
ostentatiously to gain without desires for one’s satisfy the Supreme Personality of
respect, honor and material benefit. Godhead.
reverence. Brings only Bodily Austerities: cleanliness,
unstable, temporary simplicity, celibacy,
results. nonviolence, offering of respect
to the demigods, brahmanas,
spiritual master, and superiors
like the mother and father.
Austerities of Speech: speaking
beneficially, truthfully and
inoffensively and with reference
to Vedic authorities.
Mental Austerities: Serenity,
simplicity, gravity, self-control
and purity of thought,
detaching the mind from sense
gratification.
Performed to get Performed as a duty, at the Performed only to satisfy the Supreme
something in return, proper time and place, to a Lord.
with a desire for fruitive worthy person and with no
results, or in a grudging expectation of material returns.
mood.
 Modes of Material Nature – Comparative Study
Ignorance
Renunciation Consists of giving up one’s
prescribed duties because of
Bg. 18.30-32 illusion.
Knowledge Very meager. Unrelated to the
Absolute Truth. Breeds
Bg. 18.30-32 attachment to one kind of work
as all in all. Concerned only
with bodily comforts, eating,
sleeping, mating and
defending, and so resembles
the knowledge of animals.
Action Irresponsible, violent,
distressing to others.
Bg. 18.30-32 Performed in illusion, without
consideration of scriptural
injunctions or future bondage
and consequences. Results in
further foolishness.
Worker Disregards scriptural
injunctions. Materialistic,
Bg. 18.30-32 obstinate, cheating, lazy,
morose, procrastinating and
expert in insulting others.
Passion
Consists of giving up one’s
prescribed duties because of
fear or because they appear
troublesome.
Gives rise to speculative
doctrines and theories through
which one sees the body as the
self and consciousness as a
temporary by-product of the
body. Rules out the existence of
the eternal individual soul
within.
Performed under false egoism,
and with great effort, to satisfy
one’s desires to enjoy the fruits
of his work. Results in distress.
Attached to the fruits of his
work and intent on enjoying
them. Greedy, envious and
unclean. Entangled by
happiness when successful and
distress when unsuccessful.
Heedless of whether his work is
pure or impure.
Goodness Pure
Goodness
Consists of performing Consists of performing
one’s prescribed duties one’s prescribed duties in
because they ought to be Krsna consciousness and
done and abandoning employing the fruits of one’s
attachment to the fruits work for the satisfaction of
of one’s work. Krsna.
Gives rise to a vision of Enables one to see all living
one undivided spiritual beings as eternal,
force within the bodies of individual, spiritual
all living beings. servants of the supreme
living being, Krnsa.
Performed under Performed solely for the
scriptural regulations, as satisfaction of Krsna and
a matter of duty, without the spiritual master.
attachment, and without
love and hate, by one
who renounces the fruits
of his actions. Results in
purification.
Free from material Unconditionally serves
attachments, pride and Krsna and the spiritual
false ego. Enthusiastic, master under any and all
resolute and unswayed circumstances.
by success or failure.
 Modes of Material Nature – Comparative Study

Ignorance Passion Goodness Pure

Goodness
Understanding Considers irreligion Misguided, perverse Intelligently Always perfectly
to be religion, and and imperfect. discriminates, under considers Krsna
Bg. 18.30-32 religion to b Cannot distinguish scriptural direction, through personal
irreligion. Strives between religion and between what is to be realization, confirmed
always in the wrong irreligion, truth and done and not to be by the scriptures and
direction. untruth and what done, what is to be the spiritual master.
should and should feared and not to be
not be done. feared, and what is
liberating and what
is binding.
Determination Cannot go beyond Fixed upon securing Practically Fully engaged in Krsna
daydreaming, the fruits of religion, unbreakable. consciousness and
Bg. 18.33-35
fearfulness, economic Sustained with never deviated by
lamentation, development and steadfastness by anything else.
morseness and sense gratification. yoga, which controls
illusion. the activities of the
mind, life and senses.
Happiness Blind to self- Derived from contact Compared to poison Derived from service
realization, delusion of the senses with in the beginning but rendered by a purified
Bg. 18.37-39
from beginning to their objects. Seems nectar at the end soul to the Supreme
end. Comes about like nectar at first but because it involves Personality of Godhead
from sleep, laziness poison at the end. control of the mind in an eternal loving
and illusion. Epitomized by sexual and senses but relationship. Ever-
enjoyment. awakens one to self- increasing ecstasy.
realization. Unparalleled by any
mundane experience or
emotion.

Summary of Yoga Ladder (18.19-66)
 18.19-40 Karma (Modes control all activities)
 18.41-48 Sakama to Niskama Karma yoga
 18.49-55 Niskama thru Liberation, then
Devotional Service
 18.56-60 Working in Pure Devotional Service
 18.61-63 More Confidential Knowledge :
Surrender to Supersoul
 18.64-66 Most Confidential Knowledge :
Become a pure devotee of
Lord Krishna
Summary - Section - D
Freedom from Reaction by Occupational
Work.
41-48 All work is controlled by the modes, yet
one can become free from the reactions
of work by acting as brahmana, ksatriya,
vaisya or sudra in Niskama karma yoga,
while worshipping the Lord through that
work. This work, even if faultily done, is
better than accepting another's
occupation. Prescribed duties are never
affected by sinful reaction.
Verse 18.41 to 18.48
Brähmaëas Kñatriyas Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 41
Distinguished by
qualities

Brähmaëas,
kñatriyas, vaiçyas &
çüdras are
distinguished by the
qualities born of their
own natures in
accordance with the
material modes

Vaiçyas çüdras
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 42
Qualities of Brähmaëas çamaù
peacefulness
ästikyam
religiousness damaù
self-control
How Varrn nasrama
lp s th e L iv in g entities?
system h
sy e

n a s r a m a s y s tem, one acts vijïänam

In the Var h e r ited modes of wisdom
to h is in tapaù
according r eg u lated service
o e s s o in austerity
nature, but d p r o g r e ss es in dutiful,
so n e
to the Lord. A e is elevated thro
ugh
w o rk , h
detached is q ualified to giv
e
, un ti l h e
the modes s iv e ly cultivate
& e x c lu
up work
knowledge. jïänam
çaucam
knowledge
purity

ärjavam kñäntiù
honesty tolerance
 Conclusion ~

çauryam
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 43 Heroism
Qualities of Kñatriya

tejaù
Power

éçvara bhävaù
Leadership dhåtiù
Determination

dänam
yuddhe cäpy apaläyanam
Generosity
Courage in battle

däkñyam
Resourcefulness
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 44
Qualities of vaiçya & çüdra

Qualities of vaiçya Qualities of çüdra

s
g

es
in

in
rm

ce
Bu
Fa

i
ec w

rv
on
ot Co

se
ti

kåñi väëijyam

&
r
Pr

bo
go

La
rakñya paricaryä
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 45
How to achieve
Perfection?

Anyone can
become perfect
by following the
duties of his work

Krishna
indicating
Arjuna to
fight &
attain
perfection
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 46
Performing Action for Lord’s pleasure

Attaining Perfection

sva-karmaëä tam abhyarcya

siddhià vindati mänavaù

One can attain perfection,

by doing all the duties of
his respective varna, for
the “Lord’s pleasure”

How one’s work,

although within the
modes of material nature,
can be practically turned
into bhakti through
niskama-karma yoga

What is the
position of
Supreme
Lord?
Supreme Lord is the
beginning (source) of all
living entities
References
Bg. 15.7 – Living
entities as fragmental
parts & parcels
Vedanta-sutra –
“janmady asya yatah…”
Bg. Chapter 7 – Lord
is all pervading by His
external & internal
energies
especially with His
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation
Text 46 contd…
Performing Action for Lord’s pleasure
Discussion in the purport
What is the
position of
What is the Supreme
result of
Lord?
knowing the
Lord as the
source?
 Supreme Lord Himself takes
charge of delivering such a
devotee (Ref Bg 12.7)
This leads to “Worship  Whatever occupation one
of him”. Worship may be engaged, if he serves
the Lord, he will achieve the
Supreme Lord with His
highest perfection
energies
How does But what about external energy?
Vaishnava’s  His external energy is a perverted reflection of internal
energy
worships?  The external energy is a background, but the Supreme Lord
by the expansion as Paramatma is situated everywhere, in
all the demigods, human beings, animals etc.
 Therefore recommendation given: Perform your duty to
Worships Lord render service unto Him – Senses to be engaged in service of
Hrsikesa, the master of the senses
internal energy
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 47
Performing Action for Lord’s pleasure

Better to engage in one’s

Lord own occupation, even
Krishna’s though imperfectly, than
to accept another’s
advice occupation & perform it
perfectly

Duties prescribed
according to one’s own
Result nature are never
affected by sinful
reaction
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 47 contd…

Performing Action for Lord’s pleasure

What is the
basis of
prescribing Conclusion
occupational This is based on different modes of nature
duties for different .
varnas? Ref .9
.3
Bg

sion
Abominable nature is due to contamination by modes of

c us occupational duties, below are the examples

 Everyone should be
Dis the
What are the •Brahamana – Has to kill animals in sacrifices
engaged according
in ort
examples of •Ksatriya – Has to be violent to kill his enemies or tell lies for
p
to the particular
Pur
abominable diplomacy
natures? •Vaishya – However pious they may be, sometimes he has to hide mode of nature he
his profit to stay in business or sometimes black-marketing has acquired
•Sudra – Serving a bad master  Decide to work
only to serve the
How to avoid • No work (Any of the four varnas) is abominable, if Supreme cause of
abominable performed in the service of the Supreme Lord the Supreme Lord
nature & purify • Example of action for the satisfaction of the Lord –
all the defects? Arjuna fighting on the battlefield and there is no fear of
degradation in such action
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 48
Sticking to ones occupational
Applicable to all Varna’s
duty at any cost
How can one  Results of work are purified when they are
become perfect connected with devotional service
 One becomes perfect in seeing the self
in self
Analogy
within & that is self-realization
realization?
given by
Lord Lord
Krishna’s Krishna
advice
 Every endeavor is covered by some Every endeavor is covered by some
fault, just as fire is covered by
One must
fault, just as fire is covered by smoke
smoke
stick to his  Smoke does not make fire impure
occupational  e.g. In winter time when one takes a
duty at any stone from the fire, sometimes
smoke disturbs the eyes but still one
cost, even if makes use of the fire anyway
one’s own  Therefore do not give up the duty
duty appears due to unpleasant disturbances
 Be determined to serve the Lord by
difficult or occupational duty
defective
 Summary - Section - E

Summary of Yoga Ladder (18.19-66) Confidential knowledge : From reaction-

free work through jnana-yoga to brahman
 18.19-40
Karma (Modes control all activities)
 18.41-48
Sakama to Niskama Karma yoga platform & pure devotional service
 18.49-55
Niskama thru Liberation, then
Devotional Service 49-55  One practicing niskama karma yoga,
 18.56-60 Working in Pure Devotional Service detached work, attains goodness and
 18.61-63 More Confidential Knowledge : the knowledge that he is not his body
Surrender to Supersoul
 18.64-66 Most Confidential Knowledge :  He finally attains the Brahman
Become a pure devotee of platform
Lord Krishna
 By serving Krishna on this platform,
with devotion, one reaches the
kingdom of God

Verse 18.49 to 18.55

 a
Karm a Who can engage in
From to Jnan
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Jnana Yoga?
a Text 49
Yog Yoga
One who is self-controlled &
completely unattached, can Who can engage in Jnana Yoga?
engage in Jnana-yoga
(Practicing renunciation)

Discussion in the Purport

Result
One can attain highest
perfect stage of freedom
from reaction
t
Wha a
t
abou on
pers in
ng
acti ?
KC

KC person is a real KC mentality gives real

Sannyasi
•Real renunciation means to
think oneself part and
parcel of the Supreme Lord
•Therefore one has no
rights to enjoy the results of
his work
•Results must be enjoyed by
the Supreme Lord
satisfaction because
•Acting only for the Supreme
•Not attached to anything
material & accustomed to not
taking pleasure in anything
beyond the transcendental
happiness of serving the Lord
•Automatically gets freedom from
all reaction without accepting
renounced order
•Ref. Bg. 3.17 and Yoga-rudha
stage
 Conclusion ~ Lord Krishna is now going to
summarize, how one can
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 50 achieve Supreme perfectional

stage, Brahman (18.51-53)
How can one attain Brahman
platform?

Supreme
perfectional
stage
Brahman
Platform
Stage of
highest
knowledge
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 51-53
How to achieve supreme perfection –
Brahma-bhuta platform & Peacefulness?

Living in a
Controlling the
secluded place
mind with
determination

Eats little &

Purified by controls his body,
intelligence mind & power of
speech

False ego,
False strength,
Freedom from all False pride,
Giving up sense bad qualities born Lust, Anger &
objects of material acceptance of
material things
conceptions & False
proprietorship

Always in trance &

Freedom from detached – Thus
attachment & one achieves
hatred Supreme peace
A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of
desires—that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is
ever being filled but is always still. (Bg 2.70)
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 54
Brahma-Bhütaù platform

à
brahm
a-bhü - b hakti
On ta ù mad te parämure
tran e who i a sp
scen s labh ttain unto
ea ce u
situa dentally n , on l servi
ted e
Th tiona e
is o
dev M

na çocati na käìkñati samaù sarveñu

prasanna-ätmä
Never laments or bhüteñu
Fully joyful Equally disposed
desires to have
towards every living
anything
entity
 ‘Brahma-bhuta’ Pure devotional service
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

means becoming includes ‘Brahma-bhuta’ stage

one with the  Without being one with the
Text 54 contd…
What are the
ImpersAbsolute
o onalist
Supreme (in desire), one cannot
differences render service unto Him Brahma-Bhütaù platform
between t
Personalis
 In the Absolute conception
ultimate there is no difference between
realizations? ‘Brahma-bhuta’
means to become served and servitor, yet the
engaged in pure distinction is there in a higher
devotional service spiritual sense
(PDS)
What is the
attitude of
pure devote
e towards o
• Since God is full, a living-entity in God’s service t he r
Joyful also becomes full in himself
• He is just like a river cleansed of all dirty water  Idea of becoming possiittionss?
?
• Has no thought other than Krishna one with the Suprem e
Brahman & annihilatin
g one’s individuality
– Hellish
l  Idea of attaining
e devotiona
Purre Never • Does not lament for any material loss or gain heavenly kingdom –
r vic e Phantasmagoria
se
fulfils
laments or • b/c he is fully satisfied in the service of Lord  Senses are like se
rpents whose teeth are
No desire for material enjoyment b/c he knows
all crit er ia desires his own constitution as fragmental part & broken
of  The highest pers
parcel & an eternal servant of the Lord onality in this materia
r ah m a - b h ta’
uta universe is no more sig l
‘B
‘B nificant than an ant
stage  For a devotee the
entire world is as good
Equally Vaikuntha or spiritual as
• Does not see someone as higher or lower sky
disposed
towards every • Higher and lower positions are ephemeral
living entity • Stone and gold are of equal value
 ha
How one achieves suc
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

e?
Brahma-Bhütaù stag Text 54 contd…

t h e m e rc y o f L o d Chaitanya,
rrd Brahma-Bhütaù platform
By ti on a l rvice
serv
p u re d e vo
v o
who preached
 Pure Bhakti-yoga is
the only way

To und is
erstan Text
d e n ter H
Krishna d 55 An
abode

>a¢-ya MaaMai>aJaaNaaiTa YaavaNYaêaiSMa TatvTa" )

TaTaae Maa& TatvTaae jaTva ivXaTae TadNaNTarMa( ))

One can understand Me as I am, as

the Supreme Personality of And when one is in full consciousness
Godhead, only by of Me by such devotion, he can enter
devotional service (Bhakti) into the kingdom of God.
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 55 contd…

Discussion in the Purport

 How one’s devotional service begins

after achieving brahma bhuta
stage?
 By hearing from the Lord
 What is the effect of hearing?
 Brahma-bhuta stage develops
 Material contamination
decreases
 One can understand the Supreme
• Krishna and His plenary portions Lord
cannot be understood – By mental
speculation or by nondevotees
What is the • Erudite scholarship or mental
eliiggibility to
el speculation or university degrees fail What is
One who is fully
understand to reveal Absolute Truth eligibility to
enter lord’s conversant with the
Absolute • Only way to know Krishna
abode? science of Krishna
Truth? • Pure devotional service
• Under the guidance of a pure
devotee
• Without devotional service, Absolute
Truth is always hidden – Ref. Bg. 7.25
 Çrépäda Çaìkaräcärya proponent of
Mäyäväda philosophy Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 55 contd…

Discussion in the Purport

 Becoming Brahman does not mean
losing identity
 Devotional service means God,
devotee, the process of devotional
Refutation service
of  Such knowledge is never vanquished
Mayavada even after liberation; same distinction
is maintained
 Liberation involves getting free from
material concept of life, but the
individuality continues

 Viçate means "Enters into Me"

 It implies to enter into the abode of the
Lord in one’s individuality, to render
service
 Analogy : Green bird enters a green tree,
Significance not to become one, but to enjoy the fruits
of viçate of the tree
 Analogy : Impersonalists give the
example of a river flowing into the ocean
Other
• Ref. Vedanta Sutra 4.1.12
and happiness of merging, but
references of personalists keep his personal
• SB defines “Real devotional liberation” as
“Devotional individuality like an aquatic in the ocean
reinstatement of living entity in one’s own
service
constitution position as fragmental part &
continues after
parcel, & eternal servant of the Lord.
liberation”
 Summary - Section - F

Summary of Yoga Ladder (18.19-66) Working in Pure Devotional Service

 18.19-40
Karma (Modes control all activities)
 18.41-48
Sakama to Niskama Karma yoga 56-60  One on the platform of
 18.49-55
Niskama thru Liberation, then
Devotional Service devotion should work under
 18.56-60 Working in Pure Devotional Service the order of Lord, fully
 18.61-63 More Confidential Knowledge :
Surrender to Supersoul depending on Him and being
 18.64-66 Most Confidential Knowledge :
Become a pure devotee of
fully conscious of Him
Lord Krishna
 One will thus be free from
the control of the modes of
material nature

Verse 18.56 to 18.60

 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 56
Lord’s protection

I personally protect My devotee

from all reactions & lead him
directly to My Supreme abode

Though engaged in all kinds of activities,

My pure devotee is always
under My protection.

er na l abode
c he s the et e
He re a grac
by My

• No time limitation for a pure devotee Significance of How does this

What is the • Always, 24 hours engaged in the mad-vyapäçrayaù protection comes?
nature or service of the Lord
Means under the A pure devotee acts under
quality of • Nature of the abode – Unchangeable
protection of the Lord the direction of Supreme
service? eternal, imperishable and full of
Lord or His representative
knowledge
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 57
Devotee’s mood of dependence

Devotee’s mood of dependence

uc h al
I s on e
ac n a I oti e, b
n
tiv ll v c
j it i de rvi lly us
de ust es se fu scio e
up pen Work n M
on d always co of
M
e under My
protection
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 57 contd…

Devotee’s mood of dependence

What Significanc
should be e of
the mood mat-paraù
of servant?

• Act fully under the One has no goal in life

direction of Supreme save & except acting in
Lord Kåñëa consciousness
• No individual just to satisfy Kåñëa
independence
• Unaffected by profit &
loss – Acts only on
behalf of the master
• Discharges his duty How peop
le
faithfully misuse
“Concept
of
devotiona
l
How to service”?
exhibit that • Doing something whimsical & offering
mood the results to Krishna
towards • One must act only according to order
Krishna in
• Act according to Bhagavad-
gita (Krishna’s direction) to Krishna which comes through
His absence?
• Act under guidance of disciplic succession
Krishna’s representative • Prime duty of life – Spiritual master’s
order
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 58
s Lord Krishna’s Mercy
co n sciou
e
u b ecom k as per
If yo e (wor ill pass
of M , you w les o
f otherwise, you will be bound
. 57 ) b st a c
18 the o fe by My (lost in the material world)
a l l
over tioned li
i
cond grace

Discussion in the Purport

 KC is free from all anxieties
• Not unduly anxious about executing the duties of his
existence
• Krishna becomes his friend and looks after his
comfort
 KC person is liberated & free to act
• Because everything is prompted by Krishna from
within & confirmed by spiritual master
• Otherwise conditioned soul is always under strict
 Discuss
ion in t
 What he Pur
port
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation
is
is the Ex
na ture? ample of acting
Text 59 • Arjun
a
accordin
g to
 Why as a ksat
refusal t riya has
Acting under Krishna or Illusion o fi natural d
• Becau g ht was u u
se he wa nder fals ty to fight
s fe a r i ng e e
relatives
h e w that by k go?
 What o illing his
is the for uld incur sinful
Arjuna is Kshatriy a & His
iya • Forge getfu r eacti
arma. ts the rel lness of conditio ons
duty is to fight for dh consider a t io n ned soul?
Even if He avoi dss to fight, the
oid s himsel ship with SPOG
fight. f a s th e m &
m
mood
deess will force Him to a s te r o f h
If you do not act according is action
s.
to My direction & not fight,
then you will be falsely
directed by your nature, you
will have to be engaged in
warfare.

Conclusion
Unhesitatingly
execute the
order of SPOG
& that will
keep one safe
under all
circumstances
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

… you will be compelled to follow

Text 60 orders of lower nature

Acting under Krishna or Illusion

If you do not
follow My
orders

Results
Anyone who voluntarily
engages himself
under the direction of th
e Supreme Lord
becomes glorious
Anyone who refuses to ac
t so – He gets
compelled to act by the
modes
 Summary - Section - G

Summary of Yoga Ladder (18.19-66)

18.19-40 Karma (Modes control all activities)

 18.41-48 Sakama to Niskama Karma yoga
More Confidential Knowledge :
 18.49-55 Niskama thru Liberation, then Surrender to Supersoul
Devotional Service
 18.56-60 Working in Pure Devotional Service
 18.61-63 More Confidential Knowledge :
61-63  More confidential knowledge
Surrender to Supersoul than the knowledge that one
 18.64-66 Most Confidential Knowledge :
Become a pure devotee of is spirit soul is knowledge
Lord Krishna that one should surrender to
the Supersoul

Verse 18.61 to 18.63

 Supersoul is controlling the illusion &
rotating everyone through births & deaths
Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

on the wheel of samsara

Text 61
Supreme Lord is the master &
director

éçvaraù sarva-bhütänäà
håd-deçe 'rjuna tiñöh

bhrämayan sarva-bhütäni
yanträrüòhäni mäyayä
Arjuna’s
Supreme Lord limited discretion
as the master & director  Arjuna is not the supreme knower
 SPOG is directing us according to
 He is situated in
our past deeds
everyone’s heart  Living entitiy in one body has to
 Directing the wanderings
work under the spell of modes
of all living entities, who  Analogy : Person seated in a high
are seated on a machine speed motor car goes faster than
(made of material energy) one in a slower car, though the
drivers may be the same

Conclusion
Our duty is to surrender because living entity is not
independent and always under the Lord’s control
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation
Discussion in the Purport
Text 62  What is solution to relief of all
Surrender unto Him utterly miseries & achieving supreme
abode?
 Surrender unto the Supreme
Godhead situated in everyone’s
heart
 Transcendental world – Ref.
Vedic literatures
 “Paramam padam” – Specifically
refers to the eternal abode /
rd is
Supreme Lo spiritual sky / Vaikuntha
the master &  Surrender to Supersoul implies
director surrender to Krishna
 Supporting Ref. Bg. 15.15,
fore, Bg. 10.12-13
There unto
d er
surren tterly
Hi m u

Result of
By His grace you will Surrendering
attain transcendental
peace & the supreme By His grace you
& eternal abode will attain
transcendental
peace & the
supreme & His
eternal abode
 Conclusion ~
The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 63 Discussion in the Purport

Krishna gives choice to Arjuna Lord Krishna explains more
As you like, you may act confidential knowledge (Bg
18.61–62), Surrender unto
Supersoul. Lord further tells
Arjuna to deliberate on this fully
& do what Arjuna wishes to do.

yathecchasi tathä kuru

 Krishna gives the
choice
 Indicates that God
does not interfere
with the little
independence of the
living entity
What is
How to elevate the best way to
one’s living condition? accept Lord’s instruction?
 Before surrendering one is
 Best advice given to free to deliberate on this
Arjuna in interest of subject as far as the
all living entities – intelligence goes
Surrender unto the  Such instructions also
Supersoul in the heart come through the spiritual
master
 Summary - Section - H

Summary of Yoga Ladder (18.19-66) Most Confidential Knowledge :

 18.19-40 Karma (Modes control all activities) Become a pure devotee of Lord
18.41-48 Sakama to Niskama Karma yoga

 18.49-55 Niskama thru Liberation, then
Krishna
Devotional Service
 18.56-60 Working in Pure Devotional Service 64-66  Always think of Krishna,
 18.61-63 More Confidential Knowledge : become Krishna’s devotee,
Surrender to Supersoul
 18.64-66 Most Confidential Knowledge : worship Krishna, offer all
Become a pure devotee of
Lord Krishna
homage unto Krishna & thus
come to Krishna.
 Surrender to Krishna, do not
fear sinful reactions

Verse 18.64 to 18.66

 The Most
Confidential
Knowledge

g 1 8 .6 4-66
B
 What is
the most
confidential
guhyatama
e v e a l the knowledge?
a w il l r c tion Most confidential
is hn t ru
Kr
re me ins Just surrender unto
sup the SPOG (Kåñëa)
guhyatara
More confidential
guhyä Knowledge of
Supersoul
Confidential
Knowledge of
Brahman

Why “man-manäù” is repeated twice?

“bhüyaù” means again (It is repeated in
two verses i.e. Bg. 9.34 and Bg. 18.65), to
stress the essence of the teachings of
Bhagavad-gita
Who can understand this essence?
Only by one who is actually very dear to
Krishna and not by a common man
This knowledge is not only for Arjuna
but for all living entities
 18.65

man-manä bhava mäm evaiñyasi

mad-bhakto satyaà te
mad-yäjé mäà pratijäne priyo
namaskuru 'si me
Always think of Thus you will come
Me, become My to Me without fail.
devotee, worship I promise you this
Me and offer your because you are My
homage unto Me. very dear friend.
 Discussion in the Purport

. 1 8.65
Bg
e c o me official the lord
D o n o t b Promise of
meditator o is in s uch pure Krish
na
e w h
y ou r li fe a n d all daily acts Anyo n
il l certainly return
 Mold u sn es s w
Lord’s advice in relation to K
rishna consc io
Krishna
to Arjuna e devotee of to the abode of f
 Become a pur e association o
To engage in th
Krishna face
k in g and working fo
r Krishna face to
 A lw a ys th in
Him

is
Why th is n we
How ca ame
dge
knowle obtain
th e s
to ion as
spoken perfect ?
?
Arjuna Arjuna

ho follows
Anyone w
f Arjuna
the path o
e is a e a dear
Because H can becom
rishna
riend to
dear ffr friend to K
the
Krishna and obtain
ection
same perf
 Bg. 18.65

Which form of the

Lord should be
focused?
 Devotee should
concentrate mind upon
Krishna as per Brahma
Samhita’s description –
that constitutes the most
confidential part of
knowledge
 Not even divert one’s
attention to other forms
of the Lord like Vishnu,
Narayana, Rama etc.
SavRDaMaaRNPairTYaJYa MaaMaek&-
Xar<a& v]Ja )
Ah& Tva& SavRPaaPae>Yaae
Abandon all varieties of religion and just
Maae+aiYaZYaaiMa Maadeliver
surrender unto Me. I shall éuc" ))you
66 ))
from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
 Abandon all varieties of religion
18.66 & just surrender unto Me
 Bg ussion in the
Disccu
18.66 Purport y
a nsb
a me all
ri sh andon n"?
n
K o
s one a h at g "Ab religi
y W yi n f e
h
sa
na f Kris
hn
s a t ie s o cribed ledg
Kr i s
ko ply ie es ow
8 .65 ly thin ne sim imes, var has d of kn ligion
In 1 simp s. If o t all t ties.
Lo rd kinds of re ds to le
d e a u s n
ul
ous cesse mme simp
m a d
sho all ti rishn to his

r i
a t fK en ys va pro e reco t and
ks o l happ s a n d
thi n
w il
r i shn
a a
o w h
l l tha
wha
t
. 66
K
d all N up a
8 n e r
c e in 1 u tie s
a
y giv ende
urr
l
Hen : h
d
ose ion c lusiv
e
s
a t p tlig e x
th
G i ve u s of re y is to l

r i etie ly dut Him on wil
va r on unto eacti
Ou ender erial r o not
r t D
sur us ma you –
r
Th touch or fea
not sitate
he
 Surrender only to
the Supreme
Personality of
Godhead, Lord Sri
Kåñëa. Not to
anyone else except
Him. Not even to
demigods like Lord
Brahma or Lord
Shiva
How surrender will save oneself?
Lord personally promises to protect from
all kinds of sinful reaction
No need of strenuous effort to free
oneself from sinful reaction
Just “process of surrender” will
automatically free one from all reactions;
although Bg. 7.28 demands freedom from
all sin to understand Krishna
 References
How a devotee must practice Haribhakti vilasa 11.676
the process of Saranagati? (Padma Purana)

ìkalpaù kärpaaëëyye
änukülyassyyaa sa
pt such
Simply acce Think lowly, hum
ciples that ble &
religious prin to
meek (Humility)
are favorable
rv ice
devotional se

ülyasya varjanam
ätiikkü
prät
ätmaa--n
niikkñepa
t) anything Full Self-Surrende
Avoid (Rejec to Sacrificing everyt
r,
unfavorable hing
rv ice for Lord
devotional se

goptåtve varaëaà
o
viçvässo tathä
rakñiñyatéti To have firm faith
that
f Krishna’s Krishna is our on
Confidence o all maintainer. No ne
ly
protection in thinking how to
ed of
st ance s keep
circum body & soul toge
ther.
 mä çucaù
c a ù m e a n s “do not fear or
mä çucaù m ä çu
do not fear hesitate” w
rplexed as to ho
 One may be pe
all kinds of
one can give up
and simply
religious forms h
rr e nde r un to Krishna, but suc
su
worry is useless

Maa
éuc"
 More Most
dg e
Confidential knowledge Confidential knowledge ential knowle
Confiden
Knowledge Knowledge Devotion all service to
na
of Brahman of Paramatma Bha
Bh agava van, Sr Srii Krishna
na
(18.54) (18.61) (18. 8.665-6 -66)
 The process (18.65)
 Supreme Lord in everyone’s
 Always think of Me
heart
Brahma Bhuta Platform
 Body is a machine or a  Become My devotee
vehicle  Worship Me
Joyful, never laments or  Living entity is seated in a  Offer homage unto
desires to have anything, machine Me
equally disposed to all  Paramatma directs the  Essence of all religion:
living entities and attains wanderings
Surrender unto Krishna
 Surrender to Him
pure devotional service (1
(188.6
.66 6))
 Thus attin transcendental
peace in this life  He will deliver one from
 Attain eternal abode in the all sinful reactions
next life (18 6))
(18..666
 Summary - Section - I

Preaching & Studying The

Bhagavad-Gétä
67-71  One who explains this
knowledge of Bhagavad Gita
Preaching & Studying The Bhagavad-Gétä to austere, nonenvious
devotees, pure devotional
service is guaranteed
 Those who study Bhagavad-
gita, worship Krishna with
their intelligence, and faithful
& nonenvious hearers
become free from sinful
action

Verse 18.67 to 18.71

Bg 18.67
Do not teach
Bhagavad-gita to one
who is:
Not austere
Not devoted to
Krishna’s service
Envious of Krishna
 Bg 18.67
ort
i n t he Purp Various
io n
Discuss categories of
persons who
cannot
understand
Gita?
 Professional commentators – who Why Because He is the
are envious & explain Bhagavad- different Supreme & nothing
gita to make a business people envy is above or equal to
 Those who are sensuous Krishna? Him
 Even if not sensuous but are
strictly following the Vedic
scriptural disciplines, but if he is
not a devotee, he cannot Envious, faithless &
Who should
understand Krishna those without
 Even if one poses himself as a
not try to
comment on understanding of
devotee, but not engaged in KC
Bhagavad- Krishna from
activities, he cannot understand
gita? authority of a pure
Krishna
devotee
 Bg
18.
Ben
68
e
d
teac iction f
her/ o
prea r the
cher

gets pure
devotional
service
Caution
One who Amongst whom is this
sion is
teaches to Bhagavad-gétä discus
d
Krishna’s generally recommende
devotees Only amongst devotees
and retu
rns to Not for philosophical
Krishna speculators
 Benediction
for the
teacher/pre
acher

No on
e is a m
servan or
t to M e dear
he ( o n e, than
e who
this su e
preme xplains
the de secret
votees to
there ), n o
ever b r will
more d e one
e ar
 Benediction Bg 18.70 for the student

One who studies this sacred conversion of

ours, worships Me by his intelligence
 Bg Benediction for the student
18.71

If one hears with faith & without envy

 He becomes free from sinful reaction
 He attains to the auspicious planets
where the pious dwells

Discussion in the Purport

 Although everyone is not a devotee
still many men are non-envious
 They have faith in Him as Supreme
Why a devotee
Personality of Godhead
holds open classes,  Result - Hearing from a bona-fide
if 18.67 recommends
devotee will free them from sinful
that one should not
reactions and they will attain to the
preach to the
planets of righteous persons
envious?  Even a person who does not try to be
a pure devotee attains the results of
righteous activities

 It refers to the performance of great

Significance sacrifices like ‘Asvamedha-yajna’
 Those righteous in performing
of puëya-
devotional service but not pure, can
karmaëäm attain the planetary system of Pole-
Star, Dhruvaloka
 What should we do with the
Knowledge given in Bhagavad-
gétä?
Distribute it
 Then pure devotional service is
guaranteed
 One will go to Krishna
Study it
 This is worship with one’s
intelligence
Hear it with faith and without envy. It
results in:
 Freedom from sinful reactions
 Attain to the auspicious planets
where the pious dwell.
Summary - Section - K

Arjuna is firmly fixed

72-73 After hearing the

Bhagavad-gita,
Arjuna is fixed and
determined to act
according to Krsna's
instructions.

Verse 18.72 to 18.73

 Krishna asks if, Bhagavad-gita has freed
Bg Arjuna from Ignorance & Illusion
18.72

Discussion in the Purport

 Why Krishna asks this question
as spiritual master?
 As spiritual master it was His
duty to know, if Arjuna
understood Bhagavad-gita in
proper perspective
 What is the expected result of
hearing?
 As per Krishna’s expectations,
Ignorance & illusion must be
dispelled
 Bhagavad-gita is not an ordinary
book – So what is expected?
 Any person fortunate to hear
from a bona-fide representative
is sure to become liberated &
get out of the darkness of
ignorance
 ns
Arjuna's Realizattiioo  I am now firm and free fr
om doubt
our
ared to act according to Y
Bg 3  Pr ep
w g one
.7 on is n o instructions
18 tvat-prasädät My illu si
emo ry

a in ed my m
By Your Mercy  Reg
 Discussion in the
Purport (18.73)

Arjuna represents
living entity
 Constitutional position of living entity
 Has to act according to the order of the Supreme Lord
 Meant for self-discipline
 Eternal servant of the Supreme Lord
 Cause of conditioning by material nature
 Forgetfulness of the SPOG
 What is the constitution of the living entity - Service
 Normal condition – Serves the Supreme Lord
 Illusory condition – Serves the external energy &
bound by lust & desires
What is the Illusion?
 Bound by lust and desire, one thinks himself to be the master
of this world and serves the external energy
 The last snare of Maya; the proposition that he is no longer a
conditioned soul but he is God
 Our refutation:
refutation If he would be God, how could he be in
doubt
 What it means to be free from illusion?
 Voluntary surrender
 Agrees to act in Krishna consciousness
 Significance of mohaù Discus
sion i
(Illusion) n the
Purpo
rt
 Refers to that which is
opposed to knowledge Bg
18.
 Real knowledge is 73
"living entity is the
servant of God"

Why a conditioned soul

acts under illusion?
Because lacking knowledge W ha
t
of Krishna’s position as cons is Krish
Supreme proprietor, enjoyer, To a ciousn na
controlled and friend of ct es
everyone & full of all six Kris accordi s?
hna n
opulences ’s o r g t o
der

What is the role of Bhagavad-gita?

w to One understands Krishna factually
Ho ome
rc  e.g. Arjuna understood Him not only as a
ove sion? friend but also as SPOG
illu Understands Krishna’s plan
 By mercy of Lord &  e.g. Arjuna understood Krishna’s plan to
His pure devotee reduce the unnecessary population
Summary - Section - L

Sanjaya's Predictions
74-78 Sanjaya ecstatically
thinks of the
wondrous form of
Krsna and predicts
victory for Arjuna,
the supreme archer,
and Krsna, the
master of all mystics.

Verse 18.74 to 18.78

 Bg s so Discussion in the Purport
a
18.74 t w
Wha ul about
er f
wond essage?
t he m
Sanjaya relates hi
s aking about
experie
rienncce
e of the wh  SPOG was spe
olle
ho e energies to the
conversation Himself and His
n g e n ti ty , A rj una (a great
li vi
ord)
devotee of the L
o rt a n t c o n ver sation between
 Imp n
had never take
two great souls e
d would not tak
place before an
place again
e
t o mak
y
H o w fe h a p p
l i ?
our cessful
c
& su

w in th e foo ts teps of Arjuna

 Foll o
rishna
to understand K
 Sanjaya
Bg
 One has to understand Krishna not directly,
acknowledges the
t he
What is
but through the medium of spiritual master
mercy of Vyasa,
18.75 by whose mercy import
im
of  Spiritual master is the transparent via
se?
medium and experience is still direct
he could hear the this ver
master of  Many mystics & yogis are there all over the
mysticism, Krishna
as
Krishna of
world, but Krishna is master of all yoga systems
 Topmost yogi according to Krishna’s
t er
the mas sm instruction: one who surrenders unto Krishna
i ci
all myst (Bg. 6.47)

 Because he comes in the disciplic succession

v a is
Vyasade & Sanjaya is the direct disciple of Vyasa
ide
-fid
as bona
 Vyasa is a disciple of Narada Muni who is a
a
as Arjun
direct disciple of Krishna

 Because He is a direct disciple of

njaya
Why Sa Vyasa
e &
could se  Also senses are purified, by the
ishna
hear Kr grace of Vyasa
?
directly
Without disciplic succession one
ciplliic cannot hear Krishna & his
Why dis
on isis knowledge (especially regarding
successi Bhagavad-gita) is always imperfect
must?

 Spiritual master is the

representative of Vyasadeva
h o i s Spiritual  Therefore birthday of spiritual
W
Master? master is celebrated as Vyasa-puja
 Bg
6
18.7
s
fi nd y
c al l s & t e v er
e a
j a
r
ya asure b e ring
San ng ple remem
illi y i ta
thr ent b vad-g
a
m o m B ha g Discussion
in the Purport

 Transcendental position of spiritual life

 Understanding of Bhagavad-gita is so
transcendental that anyone who
becomes conversant with the topics of
Bhagavad-gita becomes righteous and
cannot forget such talks
 How one develops such understanding?
 This comes from hearing from the
right source and leads to full Krishna
consciousness
 Result of Krishna consciousness
 One becomes increasingly enlightened
 Enjoys life with a thrill, not only for
some time, but at every moment
 . 77 Sanjaya remembers
18 the wonderful form of
Bg Lord Kåñëa

Remembering the
wonderful form of
Krishna he becomes
struck with wonder
more & more & rejoices
again & again

 It appears that
Sanjaya also saw the
universal form
 Some great devotees
could also see the
Universal Form when
it was shown to
Arjuna
 And Vyasdeva is one
of them who disclosed
this to Sanjaya
 Bg 18.78
Krishna exhibits opulence of
“Renunciation” on battlefield
by accepting the post of
 What was predicted about Maharaja
charioteer for Arjuna
Yudhisthira’s life?
 Because Krishna & Arjuna were on the
side of Yudhisthira, his victory was
certain
 After victory, his kingdom would
flourish more and more because not only
was he righteous and pious but also a
strict moralist; never spoke a lie to
anyone in his life
 Argument: Krishna inciting Arjuna to fight
is immoral
 Response: Bhagavad-gita is the
supreme instruction on morality: i.e. Bg.
9.34 (One must become a devotee of
Krishna)
 Essence of all religion (Bg. 18.66):
Surrender unto Him
 All other processes may be purifying
& may lead to this process, but the
last instruction of “surrender” is the
last word in all morality & all
religion
 Essence of the teachings of
8.78
Bhagavad-gétä & Chapter 18
Bg 1 d
c on t
…

e
u l ativ ing
g
o f re accord
h
Pat ciples ders & of
 r
prin ocial o urses
o
to s rent c y be
e a o
diff ion m l path f e r unt t
g a l d s
reli identi onese u rren is mo
f S a
con ealize hical  r i s hn n tia l
r p K

To hiloso & e o n fide
p n
by ulatio is mor c
c
spe itation l
a
med identi
f
co n
 Actual truth is the SPOG, and living entities
& material nature are His two energies
 Five principle subject matters have been
discussed: Isvara, Jiva, Prakriti, Kala and
Karma;
 Isvara, Jiva, Prakriti & Kala appear to
be different superficially, but nothing is
different from the Supreme (Isvara)
 This is according to Lord Caitanya’s
philosophy: “Inconceivable oneness &
difference”
 Living entities are the marginal energy of
Krishna & have a particle of independence
 By proper use of that independence one
attains his normal condition in the
pleasure giving potency
Section Verse Description
A 18.1 to 18.12 Acting with detachment is true Renunciation and brings
freedom from reaction.
B 18.13 to 18.18 The conclusion of sankhya and vedanta: Actions directed by
the supersoul bring freedom from reaction.
C 18.19 to 18.40 The entanglement of the three modes.
D 18.41 to 18.48 Worshiping the lord through one's occupational work is true
renunciation and brings freedom from reactions.
E 18.49 to 18.55 From jnana-yoga to pure devotional service.
F 18.56 to 18.60 Working in pure devotional service
G 18.61 to 18.63 Surrender to the Supersoul
H 18.64 to 18.66 The MOST CONFIDENTIAL KNOWLEDGE of all :
BECOME A PURE DEVOTEE OF KRSNA
I 18.67 to 18.71 Preaching and studying the Bhagavad-Gita
J 18.72 to 18.73 Arjuna is firmly fixed
K 18.74 to 18.78 Sanjaya's predictions
 Based on the teachings of
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada

~Founder Acharya~
International Society for
Krishna Consciousness
 Based on the teachings of
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada

~Founder Acharya~
International Society for
Krishna Consciousness
 Bhagavad Gita -18

Conclusion ~
The Perfection
of
Renunciation

Compiled by Amritananda das, Seattle email : amritanandadas@yahoo.com