Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 8 Meaning
He who abandons action out of fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of renunciation by performing such Rajasic renunciation.
BG 18.8
दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्।स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत्
duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśha-bhayāt tyajet sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet
Meaning in English
He who abandons action out of fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of renunciation by performing such Rajasic renunciation.
हिंदी अर्थ (Hindi Meaning)
जो कुछ कर्म है, वह दुःखरूप ही है -- ऐसा समझकर कोई शारीरिक क्लेशके भयसे उसका त्याग कर दे, तो वह राजस त्याग करके भी त्यागके फलको नहीं पाता।
Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom for modern life. As part of The Yoga of Liberation (Moksha Sanyasa Yoga), it teaches about Liberation and Surrender.
The essence of this teaching encourages us to focus on our actions and duties rather than anxiety about outcomes. In today's fast-paced world, this timeless wisdom offers a path to inner peace.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
When to Apply This Verse
- •When feeling anxious about results at work or exams
- •Before starting a new project or challenge
- •When perfectionism causes stress
Related Verses
BG 18.11
Indeed, it is not possible for an embodied being to completely abandon actions; however, he who relinquishes the rewards of actions is truly called a man of renunciation.
BG 18.14
The body, the doer, the various senses, the different functions of various kinds, and the presiding deity—the fifth.
BG 2.13
Just as the embodied soul passes through childhood, youth, and old age in this body, so too does it pass into another body; the steadfast one does not grieve over this.
Build a daily reading habit with Nitya
Get the Free App