मोक्षसंन्यासयोग

अर्जुन उवाच | संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् | त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ||

arjuna uvāca sannyāsasya mahā-bāho tattvam icchāmi veditum tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pṛthak keśi-niṣūdana

Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, O Hrishikesha, O slayer of Keshi — I wish to know the truth about renunciation (sannyasa) and abandonment (tyaga) separately.

श्रीभगवानुवाच | काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः | सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणाः ||

śrī-bhagavān uvāca kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ sannyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ prāhus tyāgaṁ vicakṣaṇāḥ

The Blessed Lord said: The sages understand sannyasa as the giving up of actions motivated by desire; the wise declare tyaga to be the abandonment of the fruits of all actions.

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः | यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ||

tyājyaṁ doṣavad ity eke karma prāhur manīṣiṇaḥ yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyam iti cāpare

Some learned men say that action should be abandoned as an evil; and others say that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned.

निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम | त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविधः सम्प्रकीर्तितः ||

niścayaṁ śṛṇu me tatra tyāge bharata-sattama tyāgo hi puruṣa-vyāghra tri-vidhaḥ samprakīrtitaḥ

Hear My definitive conclusion on this matter of tyaga, O best of the Bharatas; O tiger among men, tyaga is declared to be of three kinds.

यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् | यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ||

yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaṁ kāryam eva tat yajño dānaṁ tapaś caiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām

Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned; they must indeed be performed. Sacrifice, charity, and austerity are purifiers of the wise.

एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च | कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ||

etāny api tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni ca kartavyānīti me pārtha niścitaṁ matam uttamam

But even these actions should be performed, O Arjuna, after abandoning attachment and fruits — this is My definitive and supreme opinion.

नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते | मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः ||

niyatasya tu sannyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

Renunciation of obligatory duties is not proper; the abandonment of obligatory duty out of delusion is declared to be tamasic.

दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् | स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत् ||

duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśa-bhayāt tyajet sa kṛtvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet

One who abandons action just because it is painful or from fear of bodily trouble — such a one commits rajasic abandonment and does not gain the fruit of renunciation.

कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन | सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः ||

kāryam ity eva yat karma niyataṁ kriyate 'rjuna saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalaṁ caiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttiviko mataḥ

When obligatory action is performed simply because it must be done, having given up attachment and fruit — that abandonment is considered sattvic.

न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते | त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः ||

na dveṣṭy akuśalaṁ karma kuśale nānuṣajjate tyāgī sattva-samāviṣṭo medhāvī chinna-saṁśayaḥ

The true renunciant, filled with sattva, intelligent, with all doubts cut away, does not hate disagreeable action nor cling to agreeable action.

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः | यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ||

na hi deha-bhṛtā śakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇy aśeṣataḥ yas tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate

Indeed, it is not possible for an embodied being to abandon actions completely. But one who abandons the fruits of action — that one is called a renunciant.

अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम् | भवत्यत्यागिनां प्रेत्य न तु संन्यासिनां क्वचित् ||

aniṣṭam iṣṭaṁ miśraṁ ca tri-vidhaṁ karmaṇaḥ phalam bhavaty atyāgināṁ pretya na tu sannyāsināṁ kvacit

Threefold is the fruit of action for the non-renunciant after death — unwanted, wanted, and mixed; but for the renunciant, there is none whatsoever.

पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे | साङ्ख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ||

pañcaitāni mahā-bāho kāraṇāni nibodha me sāṅkhye kṛtānte proktāni siddhaye sarva-karmaṇām

Learn from Me, O mighty-armed, the five causes for the accomplishment of all actions as stated in Samkhya philosophy.

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् | विविधाश्च पृथक्चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम् ||

adhiṣṭhānaṁ tathā kartā karaṇaṁ ca pṛthag-vidham vividhāś ca pṛthak ceṣṭā daivaṁ caivātra pañcamam

The seat of action (body), the agent, the various instruments, the many kinds of efforts, and the Divine — these are the five factors.

शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः | न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः ||

śarīra-vāṅ-manobhir yat karma prārabhate naraḥ nyāyyaṁ vā viparītaṁ vā pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ

Whatever action a person performs with the body, speech, or mind — whether right or wrong — these five are its causes.

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः | पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः ||

tatraivam sati kartāram ātmānaṁ kevalaṁ tu yaḥ paśyaty akṛta-buddhitvān na sa paśyati dur-matiḥ

Given this, one who sees the pure Self as the sole agent — that one, with unrefined understanding, sees not truly; that is a person of wrong vision.

यस्य नाहङ्कृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते | हत्वापि स इमाँल्लोकान्न हन्ति न निबध्यते ||

yasya nāhaṅkṛto bhāvo buddhir yasya na lipyate hatvāpi sa imāṁl lokān na hanti na nibadhyate

One who has no ego-sense of doership and whose intellect is not tainted — even if that one slays all these worlds, slays not and is not bound.

ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना | करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसंग्रहः ||

jñānaṁ jñeyaṁ parijñātā tri-vidhā karma-codanā karaṇaṁ karma karteti tri-vidhaḥ karma-saṁgrahaḥ

Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower — these three are the triple impulse to action; the instrument, the action, and the agent — these three constitute the basis of action.

ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः | प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ||

jñānaṁ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ proc yate guṇa-saṅkhyāne yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api

Knowledge, action, and the agent are declared in the Samkhya doctrine to be threefold according to the distinction of the gunas. Hear these distinctions duly.

सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते | अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम् ||

sarva-bhūteṣu yenaikaṁ bhāvam avyayam īkṣate avibhaktaṁ vibhakteṣu taj jñānaṁ viddhi sāttvikaṁ

Know that knowledge to be sattvic by which one sees the one imperishable Being in all beings — undivided in the divided.

पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् | वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् ||

pṛthaktvena tu yaj jñānaṁ nānā-bhāvān pṛthag-vidhān vetti sarveṣu bhūteṣu taj jñānaṁ viddhi rājasam

But that knowledge which sees in all beings various entities of distinct kinds as different from one another — know that to be rajasic.

यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् | अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||

yat tu kṛtsnavad ekasmin kārye saktam ahaitukam atattvārthavad alpaṁ ca tat tāmasam udāhṛtam

But that which is attached to one single effect as if it were everything, without rational basis, and without grasp of the truth — that is declared tamasic.

नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम् | अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते ||

niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣataḥ kṛtam aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikaṁ ucyate

Action that is ordained, performed without attachment, without love or hatred, by one who seeks no fruit — that is declared sattvic.

यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः | क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ||

yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṅkāreṇa vā punaḥ kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ tad rājasam udāhṛtam

Action performed by one who craves desires, or with egotism, or with great effort — that is declared rajasic.

अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् | मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ||

anubandhaṁ kṣayaṁ hiṁsām anapekṣya ca pauruṣam mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam ucyate

Action undertaken out of delusion, without consideration of consequences, loss, or harm, and without regard for human capacity — that is declared tamasic.

मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः | सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योर्निर्विकारः कर्ता सात्त्विक उच्यते ||

mukta-saṅgo 'nahaṁ-vādī dhṛty-utsāha-samanvitaḥ siddhy-asiddhyor nirvikāraḥ kartā sāttvikaḥ ucyate

An agent who is free from attachment, free from ego-talk, endowed with fortitude and enthusiasm, and who is unaffected by success and failure — that one is called sattvic.

रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः | हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः ||

rāgī karma-phala-prepsur lubdho hiṁsātmako 'śuciḥ harṣa-śokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

The rajasic agent is passionate, desirous of the fruits of action, greedy, violent, impure, and subject to joy and sorrow.

अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः | विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते ||

ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko 'lasaḥ viṣādī dīrgha-sūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate

The tamasic agent is undisciplined, crude, stubborn, deceitful, malicious, lazy, despondent, and a procrastinator.

बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु | प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय ||

buddher bhedaṁ dhṛteś caiva guṇatas tri-vidhaṁ śṛṇu proc yamānam aśeṣeṇa pṛthaktvena dhanañjaya

Now hear, O Arjuna, the threefold distinction of intellect and of steadfastness according to the gunas, set forth fully and separately.

प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये | बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ||

pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye bandhaṁ mokṣaṁ ca yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī

That intellect which knows the paths of engagement and withdrawal, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, what is to be feared and what is not to be feared, what binds and what liberates — that intellect is sattvic.

यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च | अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ राजसी ||

yayā dharmam adharmaṁ ca kāryaṁ cākāryam eva ca ayathāvat prajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī

That intellect which wrongly understands dharma and adharma, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done — O Arjuna, that intellect is rajasic.

अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसावृता | सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धिः सा पार्थ तामसी ||

adharmaṁ dharmam iti yā manyate tamasāvṛtā sarvārthān viparītāṁś ca buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī

That intellect enveloped in darkness which regards adharma as dharma and sees all things perverted — O Arjuna, that is tamasic intellect.

धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः | योगेनाव्यभिचारिण्या धृतिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ||

dhṛtyā yayā dhārayate manaḥ-prāṇendriya-kriyāḥ yogenāvyabhicāriṇyā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī

The steadfastness by which, through yoga, one holds steady the functions of the mind, the vital force, and the senses — that steadfastness, O Arjuna, is sattvic.

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन | प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ||

yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛtyā dhārayate 'rjuna prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī

But the steadfastness by which one holds fast, through attachment, to dharma, pleasure, and wealth, desiring their fruit — that steadfastness, O Arjuna, is rajasic.

यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च | न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी ||

yayā svapnaṁ bhayaṁ śokaṁ viṣādaṁ madam eva ca na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī

That steadfastness by which a dull-witted person does not abandon sleep, fear, grief, despondency, and pride — O Arjuna, that steadfastness is tamasic.

सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं शृणु मे भरतर्षभ | अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दुःखान्तं च निगच्छति ||

sukhaṁ tv idānīṁ tri-vidhaṁ śṛṇu me bharatarṣabha abhyāsād ramate yatra duḥkhāntaṁ ca nigacchati

Now hear from Me, O best of the Bharatas, the threefold distinction of happiness — that happiness in which one rejoices through practice and by which one comes to the end of suffering.

यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् | तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम् ||

yat tad agre viṣam iva pariṇāme 'mṛtopamam tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam

That which is like poison at first but like nectar at the end — that happiness is called sattvic, born of the serenity of the Self-knowing intellect.

विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् | परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ||

viṣayendriya-saṁyogād yat tad agre 'mṛtopamam pariṇāme viṣam iva tat sukhaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam

That happiness which arises from the contact of the senses with their objects — like nectar at first but like poison at the end — that is declared to be rajasic.

यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः | निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||

yad agre cānubandhe ca sukhaṁ mohanam ātmanaḥ nidrālasya-pramādotthaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛtam

That happiness which deludes the Self from beginning to end, arising from sleep, sloth, and negligence — that is declared to be tamasic.

न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः | सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ||

na tad asti pṛthivyāṁ vā divi deveṣu vā punaḥ sattvaṁ prakṛti-jair muktaṁ yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ

There is no being on earth, or among the gods in heaven, that is free from these three gunas born of Prakriti.

ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप | कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ||

brāhmaṇa-kṣatriya-viśāṁ śūdrāṇāṁ ca parantapa karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāva-prabhavair guṇaiḥ

The duties of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are distributed according to the gunas arising from their own nature.

शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च | ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ||

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam

Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, uprightness, knowledge, wisdom, and belief in a supreme principle — these are the natural duties of a Brahmana.

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् | दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ||

śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam

Valor, splendor, steadfastness, skill, not fleeing in battle, generosity, and lordliness in governance — these are the natural duties of a Kshatriya.

कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् | परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम् ||

kṛṣi-gaurakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam

Agriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade are the natural duties of a Vaishya; and service is the natural duty of a Shudra.

स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः | स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु ||

sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ sva-karma-nirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tac chṛṇu

Each person, devoted to their own duty, attains perfection. Hear how one finds perfection by being devoted to one's own work.

यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् | स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ||

yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānāṁ yena sarvam idaṁ tatam sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya siddhiṁ vindati mānavaḥ

From whom all beings have their source and by whom all this is pervaded — by worshipping Him through one's own work, one attains perfection.

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् | स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ||

śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt svabhāva-niyataṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam

Better is one's own dharma, though imperfectly performed, than the dharma of another well performed. One who does the duty prescribed by one's own nature incurs no sin.

सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् | सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ||

saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣam api na tyajet sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ

One should not abandon the duty born with oneself, O Arjuna, even if it is faulty; for all undertakings are covered by defects as fire is by smoke.

असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः | नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां संन्यासेनाधिगच्छति ||

asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra jitātmā vigata-spṛhaḥ aiṣkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ sannyāsenādhigacchati

One whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who has conquered the self, from whom desires have departed — through renunciation, one attains the supreme state of freedom from action.

सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे | समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा ||

siddhiṁ prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣṭhā jñānasya yā parā

Learn from Me briefly, O Arjuna, how one who has attained perfection reaches Brahman — that which is the supreme culmination of knowledge.

बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च | शब्दादीन् विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च ||

buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto dhṛtyātmānaṁ niyamya ca śabdādīn viṣayāṁs tyaktvā rāga-dveṣau vyudasya ca

Endowed with purified intellect, controlling the self by will, abandoning sound and other sense objects, laying aside love and hatred —

विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः | ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः ||

vivikta-sevī laghv-āśī yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ dhyāna-yoga-paro nityaṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāśritaḥ

Dwelling in solitude, eating lightly, with speech, body, and mind restrained, ever engaged in meditation yoga, taking refuge in dispassion —

अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् | विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||

ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ parigraham vimucya nirmamaḥ śānto brahma-bhūyāya kalpate

Having released ego, force, arrogance, desire, anger, and possessiveness — free from the sense of 'mine,' peaceful — one becomes fit to realize Brahman.

ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति | समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु मद्भक्तिं लभते पराम् ||

brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām

Become one with Brahman, with a serene Self — one neither grieves nor desires; equal to all beings, one attains the highest devotion to Me.

भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः | ततो मां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ||

bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśate tad-anantaram

Through devotion one truly knows what and who I am in My essence; then, having known Me in truth, one enters into Me immediately.

सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः | मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् ||

sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśrayaḥ mat-prasādād avāpnoti śāśvataṁ padam avyayam

Taking refuge in Me, performing all actions always — by My grace, one attains the eternal, imperishable abode.

चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः | बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ||

cetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ buddhi-yogam upāśritya mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava

Mentally renouncing all actions in Me, making Me the highest goal, taking refuge in the yoga of intelligence — fix your consciousness on Me always.

मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि | अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि ||

mac-cittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣyasi atha cet tvam ahaṅkārān na śroṣyasi vinaṅkṣyasi

With your consciousness in Me, you shall cross over all difficulties by My grace. But if from ego you do not listen — you shall perish.

यदहङ्कारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे | मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति ||

yad ahaṅkāram āśritya na yotsya iti manyase mithyaiṣa vyavasāyas te prakṛtis tvāṁ niyokṣyati

If, resorting to ego, you think 'I will not fight' — this resolve of yours is vain; your own nature will compel you.

स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा | कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् ||

svabhāva-jena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā kartuṁ necchasi yan mohāt kariṣyasy avaśo 'pi tat

O Arjuna, bound by your own action born of your own nature, what through delusion you do not wish to do — you shall do even against your will.

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति | भ्रामयन् सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया ||

īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā

The Lord dwells in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, causing all beings to revolve by His maya, as if mounted on a machine.

तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत | तत्प्रसादात्परां शान्तिं स्थानं प्राप्स्यसि शाश्वतम् ||

tam eva śaraṇaṁ gaccha sarva-bhāvena bhārata tat-prasādāt parāṁ śāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śāśvatam

Take refuge in Him alone with all your being, O Arjuna. By His grace you shall attain supreme peace and the eternal abode.

इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया | विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ||

iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa yathecchasi tathā kuru

Thus has knowledge more secret than all secrets been declared to you by Me. Reflecting on this fully, do as you wish.

सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः शृणु मे परमं वचः | इष्टोऽसि मे दृढमिति ततो वक्ष्यामि ते हितम् ||

sarva-guhyatamaṁ bhūyaḥ śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ iṣṭo 'si me dṛḍham iti tato vakṣyāmi te hitam

Hear once more My supreme word, the most secret of all — because you are dearly beloved to Me, I shall speak for your benefit.

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु | मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ||

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo 'si me

Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, bow to Me — you shall come to Me alone; I truly promise you, for you are dear to Me.

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज | अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ||

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

Abandoning all dharmas, take refuge in Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins; grieve not.

इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन | न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ||

idaṁ te nātapaskāya nābhaktāya kadācana na cāśuśrūṣave vācyaṁ na ca māṁ yo 'bhyasūyati

This is never to be spoken to one who is without austerity, without devotion, without a desire to listen, or to one who finds fault with Me.

य इमं परमं गुह्यं मद्भक्तेष्वभिधास्यति | भक्तिं मयि परां कृत्वा मामेवैष्यत्यसंशयः ||

ya imaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati bhaktiṁ mayi parāṁ kṛtvā mām evaiṣyaty asaṁśayaḥ

One who shall teach this supreme secret to My devotees, having performed the highest devotion to Me, shall undoubtedly come to Me.

न च तस्मान्मनुष्येषु कश्चिन्मे प्रियकृत्तमः | भविता न च मे तस्मादन्यः प्रियतरो भुवि ||

na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ bhavitā na ca me tasmād anyaḥ priya-taro bhuvi

Among all humans there is none who does more dearly for Me than that person, nor shall there be any other more dear to Me on earth.

अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः | ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ||

adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṁvādam āvayoḥ jñāna-yajñena tenāham iṣṭaḥ syām iti me matiḥ

And whoever shall study this sacred dialogue of ours — by that person I shall be worshipped through the sacrifice of knowledge; this is My belief.

श्रद्धावाननसूयश्च शृणुयादपि यो नरः | सोऽपि मुक्तः शुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम् ||

śraddhāvān anasūyaś ca śṛṇuyād api yo naraḥ so 'pi muktaḥ śubhāṁl lokān prāpnuyāt puṇya-karmaṇām

Even the person who only listens to it with faith and without envy — that one too shall be freed and attain the auspicious realms of the virtuous.

कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा | कच्चिदज्ञानसम्मोहः प्रनष्टस्ते धनञ्जय ||

kaccid etac chrutaṁ pārtha tvayaikāgreṇa cetasā kaccid ajñāna-sammohaḥ pranaṣṭas te dhanañjaya

Has this been heard by you, O Arjuna, with a focused mind? Has the delusion born of ignorance been destroyed, O Dhananjaya?

अर्जुन उवाच | नष्टो मोहः स्मृतिर्लब्धा त्वत्प्रसादान्मयाच्युत | स्थितोऽस्मि गतसन्देहः करिष्ये वचनं तव ||

arjuna uvāca naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtir labdhā tvat-prasādān mayācyuta sthito 'smi gata-sandehaḥ kariṣye vacanaṁ tava

Arjuna said: Destroyed is my delusion, and I have regained my memory through Your grace, O Achyuta. I am firm; my doubts are gone. I shall act according to Your word.

सञ्जय उवाच | इत्यहं वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः | संवादमिममश्रौषमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् ||

sañjaya uvāca ity ahaṁ vāsudevasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ saṁvādam imam aśrauṣam adbhutaṁ roma-harṣaṇam

Sanjaya said: Thus have I heard this wonderful, thrilling dialogue between Vasudeva (Krishna) and the great-souled Arjuna.

व्यासप्रसादाच्छ्रुतवानेतद्गुह्यमहं परम् | योगं योगेश्वरात्कृष्णात्साक्षात्कथयतः स्वयम् ||

vyāsa-prasādāc chrutavān etad guhyam ahaṁ param yogaṁ yogeśvarāt kṛṣṇāt sākṣāt kathayataḥ svayam

By the grace of Vyasa, I have heard this supreme, most secret yoga directly from Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, speaking it Himself.

राजन्संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य संवादमिममद्भुतम् | केशवार्जुनयोः पुण्यं हृष्यामि च मुहुर्मुहुः ||

rājan saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya saṁvādam imam adbhutam keśavārjunayoḥ puṇyaṁ hṛṣyāmi ca muhur muhuḥ

O King, remembering again and again this sacred and wonderful dialogue between Keshava and Arjuna, I rejoice again and again.

तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः | विस्मयो मे महान् राजन् हृष्यामि च पुनः पुनः ||

tac ca saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya rūpam aty-adbhutaṁ hareḥ vismayo me mahān rājan hṛṣyāmi ca punaḥ punaḥ

And remembering again and again that most wonderful form of Hari (Krishna), great is my amazement, O King, and I rejoice again and again.

यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः | तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ||

yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama

Wherever there is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, and wherever there is Arjuna, the archer — there will be prosperity, victory, happiness, and firm righteousness; this is my conviction.