Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Verse 3

Bhagavad Gita 18.3

Renunciation is not simple refusal; some actions must remain.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः ।
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
श्रीभगवान् बोले कई विद्वान् काम्यकर्मोंके त्यागको संन्यास कहते हैं और कई विद्वान् सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंके फलके त्यागको त्याग कहते हैं । कई विद्वान् कहते हैं कि कर्मोंको दोषकी तरह छोड़ देना चाहिये और कई विद्वान् कहते हैं कि यज्ञ, दान और तपरूप कर्मोंका त्याग नहीं करना चाहिये ॥
English
Some wise people say all action should be abandoned as flawed. Others say sacrifice, giving, and disciplined effort should not be abandoned.

What this verse means

Some teachers say action itself should be dropped because it seems flawed. Others say sacrifice, charity, and disciplined effort should never be dropped.

Context & commentary

On the battlefield, Arjuna has asked the final question: what is renunciation, and what is true letting go? Krishna now shows that even wise people disagree. Some reject action itself; others preserve sacrifice, giving, and discipline.

Why this verse still matters

You’re about to quit a commitment because it feels messy and imperfect. Part of you wants to drop everything; part of you knows some responsibilities still matter.

The takeaway

Not all renunciation is the same. The real question is what should be released and what must continue.

Word-by-word translation

त्याज्यम् (to be abandoned) / दोषवत् (as flawed) / इति (thus) / एके (some) / कर्म (action) / प्राहुः (say) / मनीषिणः (the wise) / यज्ञदानतपःकर्म (sacrifice-giving-austerity-actions) / न (not) / त्याज्यम् (to be abandoned) / इति (thus) / च (and) / अपरे (others)

Explore related themes: yajna (32 verses), tapas (22 verses), tyaga (14 verses)

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