Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 3 (BG 18.3) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

18.3 त्याज्यम् should be abandoned? दोषवत् (full of) as an evil? इति thus? एके some? कर्म action? प्राहुः declare? मनीषिणः philosophers? यज्ञदानतपःकर्म acts of sacrifice? gift and austerity? न not? त्याज्यम् should be relinished? इति thus? च and? अपरे others.Commentary Some philosophers who follow the doctrine of the Sankhyas declare that all actions,should be abandoned as evil? even by those who are fit for Karma Yoga.Doshavat As an evil All Karmas should be abandoned as involving evil because they cause bondage or that they should be relinished like passion and other such evil tendencies.Others declare that the acts of sacrifice? gifts and austerities should not be given up by those who are fit for Karma Yoga. These are the opinions of some? who are of great understanding.Now listen to Me. I will settle this matter and will tell thee how renunciation should be practised.The subject of the discourse here is about the Karma Yogins only and not about those persons who have gone beyond the path of Karma. It is with reference to the Karma Yogins that these conflicting opinions are held and not with reference to the Jnana Yogins or the Sannyasins who have risen above all worldly concerns.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

In the previous verse, it was definitively stated that renunciation is the means and sannyasa is the goal. The followers of the Samkhya philosophy hold the view that all actions are to be renounced because they are inherently flawed. According to their understanding, all actions generate desires that veil the atman. Therefore, one must completely abandon all actions. However, certain commentators of Samkhya philosophy say that only those actions motivated by desire and self-interest should be renounced—not all actions are to be abandoned. The wise seekers of truth teach that practitioners should renounce actions performed for selfish desires and forbidden actions, while fulfilling their obligatory duties. It is through the practice of righteous actions that human character is formed. According to these commentators, sacrifice, charity, and austerity are not to be renounced. Students of the Bhagavad Gita should understand that Lord Sri Krishna instructs Arjuna to renounce only flawed actions. His call to humanity is that one should worship the Divine through action itself. This is spiritual practice. The Lord's determination is that the ignorant should perform actions. Regarding the aforementioned alternatives, He speaks thus: