Chapter 18 · Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 4
मोक्ष संन्यास योग
॥ श्लोक ॥
निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम | त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः सम्प्रकीर्तितः ||१८-४||
Transliteration
niścayaṃ śṛṇu me tatra tyāge bharatasattama . tyāgo hi puruṣavyāghra trividhaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ ||18-4||
English Translation
O the most excellent among the descendants of Bharata, hear from Me the firm conclusion regarding that tyaga. For, O greatest among men, tyaga has been clearly declared to be of three kinds.
Detailed Commentary
Listen with certainty, O Arjuna, best of the Bharata lineage. Now, regarding *Sannyāsa* and *Tyāga*, I shall first declare My perspective on *Tyāga* (renunciation); listen to it. O best among men, *Tyāga* is said to be of three kinds: *Sāttvika*, *Rājasa*, and *Tāmasa*. Indeed, in the Lord's view, *Sāttvika Tyāga* alone is true renunciation. However, *Rājasa* and *Tāmasa Tyāga* are also described so that the superiority of *Sāttvika Tyāga* may become evident. To manifest the excellence of anything, examination or comparison is essential. The purpose of describing three kinds of *Tyāga* is also that the *sādhaka* should embrace *Sāttvika Tyāga* and relinquish *Rājasa* and *Tāmasa Tyāga*.
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