Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga: / Verse 2

Arjuna’s question is very profound, paramount in the discussion of spirituality. So, Krishna wants to give an authoritative clarification on the subject. Hence he sets forth the views current on the subject of renunciation and relinquishment, before expressing his own judgement in the matter.

Sannyasa (renunciation) is covetable, no doubt, but only of actions motivated by desires. Activity is a compulsion of Nature, with its three gunas – sattva, rajas and tamas – always at play. None can escape their hold. Hence sannyasa can only be of the desire-motivated actions.

Others, equally given to deliberating on the subject, hold that renunciation should only be of the results, because it is our clinging to the results that creates bondage, and actions as such cannot be renounced.

The views do not end here. Some wise people argue that all actions are equally evil-ridden and hence deserve to be renounced outright. Actions, they hold, have no power to bestow real benefit, elevation or fulfilment!

But, this view is corrected by others who are also equally wise and illumined. They feel any such blanket renunciation of actions is neither feasible within the orbit of Nature, nor harmonious with oneself and the society around.

So, we must distinguish between secular, demeaning actions and divine, ennobling ones. Thus yajna (sacrifice), daana (charity) and tapas (austerity, practice of regulations and restraints) are not to be renounced at all. Instead, one should be given to them more and more every time. All these are yet others’ views! Krishna’s interpretation follows.