अर्जुन उवाच | संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् | त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ||
arjuna uvāca sannyāsasya mahā-bāho tattvam icchāmi veditum tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa pṛthak keśi-niṣūdana
Translation
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.
Interpretation
Arjuna opens the final chapter with a question that is the culmination of the entire Gita: what is the difference between sannyasa (formal renunciation of all action) and tyaga (abandonment of the fruits of action while continuing to act)? This distinction is central to the Gita's teaching. The Gita does not advocate withdrawal from life but the inner freedom of offering all action to the Divine. Arjuna wants precision on this most important point, and Krishna's answer will constitute the Gita's final and fullest teaching.