Some wise people say all action should be abandoned as flawed. Others say sacrifice, giving, and disciplined effort should not be abandoned.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 18.3
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 ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
त्याज्यम्to be abandonedदोषवत्as flawedइतिthusएकेsomeकर्मactionप्राहुःsayमनीषिणःthe wiseयज्ञदानतपःकर्मsacrifice-giving-austerity-actionsनnotत्याज्यम्to be abandonedइतिthusचandअपरेothers
Read literallyto be abandoned · as flawed · thus · some · action · say · the wise · sacrifice-giving-austerity-actions · not · to be abandoned · thus · and · others
Understanding the verse
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It separates blind rejection from wise release, so you can keep what purifies action and drop what binds it.
Some teachers say action itself should be dropped because it seems flawed. Others say sacrifice, charity, and disciplined effort should never be dropped.
02
On the battlefield
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.
03
In your life
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.”
Explore related themes: yajna(32 verses), tapas(22 verses), tyaga(14 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.3 mean?
Some teachers say action itself should be dropped because it seems flawed. Others say sacrifice, charity, and disciplined effort should never be dropped.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.3?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 18.3?
Verse 3 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 18.3 matter today?
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.
It separates blind rejection from wise release, so you can keep what purifies action and drop what binds it.
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.
“Not all renunciation is the same. The real question is what should be released and what must continue.”
Explore related themes: yajna (32 verses), tapas (22 verses), tyaga (14 verses)