Abhinav Khare deep dives into the last and eighteenth chapter of the Bhagvad Geeta where Krishna explains the concept of renunciation while differentiating it with relinquishing
In this last and final chapter, Krishna explains the concept of renunciation to Arjun. He also differentiates between renunciation and relinquishing. Renunciation is letting go of desire and relinquishing is letting go of the fruits of action. Krishna explains the concepts of knowledge, action and agent through a person’s respective gunas. Sattvic knowledge tells us that a beings are undivided despite of being divided. Rajasic knowledge speaks of separate and disconnected individuals. Tamasic knowledge doesn’t speak about the truth of things. Sattiv action is the action with pure intentions, rajasic is about satisfying ones desires and tamasic action is delusional. This chapter ends with Krishna emphasising how a person of Yoga must be devoted to him. He tells Arjun to not worry and focus all his energy towards Krishna. Poet Sanjay concludes Geeta by saying that where The Lord of Yoga and Arjun the Archer are present, their lies the virtues and spiritual wealth.
Favourite Shlok
यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: |
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम || - Shlok 78
Wherever there is Lord Krishna, who is the God of all Yog and whenever there is Arjun, who is the Supreme Archer, there will be fathomless opulence, victory, prosperity and righteousness. Poet Sanjay is absolutely certain about this.
Analysis
The final chapter culminates all the teachings of Krishna. Owing to the request of Arjun, Krishna distinguished renunciation and relinquishing to him. He also tells Arjun that acts done with good intentions like worshipping should be done without any expectations or attachments. Krishna intends to teach Arjun the difference between the three gunas so that he can be motivated to do the right action without being led by his gunas. His core teaching has always been doing the right action or karma yoga without being attached to the results. This is extremely relevant to Arjun as before going to the battlefield, he gets paralyzed with attachment. However, Krishna’s truth and teachings reach Arjun’s heart and he becomes ready to enter the battlefield. The final message that Krishna gives is for all of us. It is to consider this dialogue as a spiritual teaching as he believes that through scriptures, we can love him the most.
About Abhinav Khare:
Abhinav Khare is the CEO of Asianet News Network and also the host of a daily show named Deep Dive with AK. He has a lifetime collection of books and gadgets and has already pinged more than hundred cities around the globe.
He is a tech entrepreneur, who is passionate about policy, technology, economy and philosophy from ancient India. He earned an MS Engineering from the ETH Zurich and an MBA Finance from the London Business School.
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