Conclusion — The Perfection of Renunciation

Theme and purpose

Conclusion, the perfection of renunciation: Kṛṣṇa explains – tyāga in three modes; five factors of action; knowledge, work, worker, intelligence, determination and happiness in three modes; and purification through prescribed duties of varṇāśrama. Then Kṛṣṇa describes Brahman platform, surrender to Supersoul and to Kṛṣṇa.

How this chapter connects

Sections and key teachings

1. 18.1–12 Freedom from bondage through Karma-yoga
   4 subsections

   • 18.1 Arjuna’s inquiry on sannyāsa and tyāga
   • 18.2–6 Kṛṣṇa defines sannyāsa and tyāga. He gives two opinions on tyāga and then His own opinion.
   • 18.7–9 Renunciation (tyāga) in three modes
   • 18.10–12 The wise and true renunciant; The result of not renouncing
2. 18.13–17 The five factors of action
   2 subsections

   • 18.13–15 Causes of all right and wrong actions – adhiṣṭhānaṁ (body), kartā (doer), karaṇam (senses), cestā (effort) and daivam (Supersoul)
   • 18.16–17 Doership and non-doership mentalities
3. 18.18–40 The modes control all activities and all beings
   7 subsections

   • 18.18–19 Three motivators and three constituents of action
   • 18.20–22 Knowledge (jñāna) in three modes
   • 18.23–25 Work (karma) in three modes
   • 18.26–28 Worker (karta) in three modes
   • 18.29–32 Intelligence or understanding (buddhi) in three modes
   • 18.33–35 Determination (dhṛti) in three modes
   • 18.36–40 Happiness (sukhaṁ) in three modes
4. 18.41–48 Purification through prescribed duties of Varṇāśrama
   2 subsections

   • 18.41–44 The four social orders (varṇas) and their qualities
   • 18.45–48 Importance of sticking to one’s prescribed duty
5. 18.49–55 Brahman platform (Confidential knowledge)
   2 subsections

   • 18.49–53 The perfect stage of sannyāsa and the process of attaiining Brahman
   • 18.54–55 From Brahma-bhūta stage to bhakti by which one can know Kṛṣṇa and attain His abode
6. 18.56–66 Pure Bhakti – Acting in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
   3 subsections

   • 18.56–60 Working and not working in Kṛṣṇa consciousness
   • 18.61–63 Surrendering to the Supersoul (More confidential knowledge)
   • 18.64–66 Surrendering to Lord Kṛṣṇa (Most confidential knowledge)
7. 18.67–78 The Conclusion
   3 subsections

   • 18.67–71 Glory of Studying and Teaching Bhagavad-gīta
   • 18.72–73 Realizations of Arjuna
   • 18.74–78 Realizations of Sañjaya

All verses

18.1–12

• 18.1
• 18.2
• 18.3
• 18.4
• 18.5
• 18.6
• 18.7
• 18.8
• 18.9
• 18.10
• 18.11
• 18.12

18.13–17

• 18.13–14
• 18.15
• 18.16
• 18.17

18.18–40

• 18.18
• 18.19
• 18.20
• 18.21
• 18.22
• 18.23
• 18.24
• 18.25
• 18.26
• 18.27
• 18.28
• 18.29
• 18.30
• 18.31
• 18.32
• 18.33
• 18.34
• 18.35
• 18.36–37
• 18.38
• 18.39
• 18.40

18.41–48

• 18.41
• 18.42
• 18.43
• 18.44
• 18.45
• 18.46
• 18.47
• 18.48

18.49–55

• 18.49
• 18.50
• 18.51–53
• 18.54
• 18.55

18.56–66

• 18.56
• 18.57
• 18.58
• 18.59
• 18.60
• 18.61
• 18.62
• 18.63
• 18.64
• 18.65
• 18.66

18.67–78

• 18.67
• 18.68
• 18.69
• 18.70
• 18.71
• 18.72
• 18.73
• 18.74
• 18.75
• 18.76
• 18.77
• 18.78