Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.9 कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन
श्लोक 18.9
कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन ।
सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः ॥
kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṃ kriyate'rjuna |
saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalaṃ caiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे अर्जुन! जब नियत कर्म केवल यह मानकर किया जाता है कि यह करना कर्तव्य है, और आसक्ति तथा फल दोनों छोड़ दिए जाते हैं, तो वह सात्त्विक त्याग माना जाता है।
Meaning in English
When a prescribed duty is done simply because it ought to be done, O Arjuna, giving up attachment and the fruit, that relinquishment is considered sattvic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.9 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कार्यम् | kāryam | ought to be done |
| इति एव | iti eva | simply because |
| यत् | yat | which |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| नियतम् | niyatam | prescribed, obligatory |
| क्रियते | kriyate | is done |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
| सङ्गम् | saṅgam | attachment |
| त्यक्त्वा | tyaktvā | having given up |
| फलम् | phalam | fruit |
| च एव | ca eva | and also |
| सः | saḥ | that |
| त्यागः | tyāgaḥ | relinquishment |
| सात्त्विकः | sāttvikaḥ | sattvic, of clarity |
| मतः | mataḥ | is regarded |
Explanation
When an obligatory duty is done simply because it ought to be done, giving up both attachment and desire for its fruit, that relinquishment is sattvic. Here the action itself continues; what is relinquished is the clinging and the craving. This is renunciation in its clearest form.
With this verse Krishna completes the triad and shows what he means by true tyaga: inner, not outer. Shankara says this sattvic relinquishment purifies the mind and leads gradually to knowledge. Ramanuja reads it as karma-yoga done as worship of the Lord. Gandhi often cited the phrase kāryam ity eva, because it ought to be done, as the simplest summary of selfless action.
भावार्थ
हे अर्जुन, जो नियत कर्म केवल कर्तव्य समझकर, आसक्ति और फल की इच्छा छोड़कर किया जाता है, वही सात्त्विक त्याग माना गया है।
Living it today
Do some things just because they are right to do. That simple motive removes a lot of anxiety.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.9?
When an obligatory duty is done simply because it ought to be done, giving up both attachment and desire for its fruit, that relinquishment is sattvic. Here the action itself continues; what is relinquished is the clinging and the craving. This is renunciation in its clearest form.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.9?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.9 in daily life?
Do some things just because they are right to do. That simple motive removes a lot of anxiety.
Reflected on verse 18.9?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.