Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.8 दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्
श्लोक 18.8
दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् ।
स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् ॥
duḥkhamityeva yatkarma kāyakleśabhayāttyajet |
sa kṛtvā rājasaṃ tyāgaṃ naiva tyāgaphalaṃ labhet ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो कर्म को दुःखदायी मानकर, शरीर के कष्ट के डर से छोड़ देता है, वह राजसी त्याग करता है और उसे त्याग का सच्चा फल नहीं मिलता।
Meaning in English
One who gives up a duty because it is troublesome, out of fear of bodily strain, performs rajasic relinquishment and does not gain the fruit of true relinquishment.
Bhagavad Gita 18.8 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| दुःखम् | duḥkham | painful |
| इति एव | iti eva | merely thinking it |
| यत् | yat | which |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| कायक्लेशभयात् | kāya-kleśa-bhayāt | from fear of bodily strain |
| त्यजेत् | tyajet | one abandons |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| कृत्वा | kṛtvā | having done |
| राजसम् | rājasam | rajasic |
| त्यागम् | tyāgam | relinquishment |
| न एव | na eva | not at all |
| त्यागफलम् | tyāga-phalam | the fruit of relinquishment |
| लभेत् | labhet | obtains |
Explanation
When someone gives up a duty simply because it is unpleasant, out of fear of bodily hardship or trouble, that is rajasic relinquishment. Such a person does not gain the real fruit of renunciation, which is inner peace and freedom, because the motive was comfort, not clarity.
Here the second kind of tyaga is described. Rajas is the guna of restless desire, and in this case the desire is to avoid discomfort. Shankara and Ramanuja both say the fruit missed is liberation or the knowledge that tyaga is meant to bring. Modern commentators see a sharp psychological point: dropping a hard task can be dressed up as detachment when it is really self-indulgence.
भावार्थ
जो व्यक्ति कर्म को केवल दुःखदायी मानकर शरीर के कष्ट के भय से छोड़ देता है, वह राजस त्याग करता है और उसे त्याग का वास्तविक फल नहीं मिलता।
Living it today
Notice when you call avoidance detachment. If you are dropping something just because it is hard, be honest about that.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.8?
When someone gives up a duty simply because it is unpleasant, out of fear of bodily hardship or trouble, that is rajasic relinquishment. Such a person does not gain the real fruit of renunciation, which is inner peace and freedom, because the motive was comfort, not clarity.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.8?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.8 in daily life?
Notice when you call avoidance detachment. If you are dropping something just because it is hard, be honest about that.
Reflected on verse 18.8?
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