The Yoga of Liberation Through Renunciation
Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Krishna provides His final instructions on renunciation, knowledge, action, and devotion.
In this summary chapter, Krishna reviews the concepts of renunciation, action, and the three modes. He concludes with his final, supreme instruction: abandon all varieties of religion and simply surrender unto him.
Key Takeaways
- Renunciation means giving up the fruit of action, not the action itself
- Better to do one's own duty imperfectly than another's perfectly
- Sarva-dharman parityajya: Abandon all other supports and surrender to Me alone
Chapter 18 - The Yoga of Liberation Through Renunciation
Common questions and insights about this chapter
Sannyasa means renouncing the fruits of action, while tyaga means giving up attachment to the fruits of action. True renunciation is internal—performing duty without attachment—not external abandonment of all action. One should never renounce obligatory duties.
Every action depends on five factors: the physical body (the seat of action), the doer (the ego), the various senses, the different kinds of efforts, and ultimately the divine will (daiva). Understanding this removes false pride of sole doership.
Krishna's ultimate teaching is to abandon all varieties of dharma and surrender completely unto Him alone. He promises to liberate from all sins. This is the essence of the Gita—complete loving surrender to the Supreme with full faith.
The most confidential knowledge is this: 'Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me, and offer obeisances to Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.' This is pure bhakti—the supreme path.
Those who study the Gita with faith and without envy will be liberated and attain the auspicious worlds of the virtuous. Even those who listen with faith, free from doubt, will be freed from suffering and attain the happy realms of those with pure conduct.
Chapter 18 Quiz
Progress through levels to deepen your wisdom