What this chapter is about
The Gita's final chapter brings together all the teachings in a grand synthesis. Krishna clarifies the nature of true renunciation, summarizes the teachings on the three gunas, and concludes with his most intimate teaching: surrender completely to him and he will deliver the devotee from all sin.
- Liberation
- Surrender
- Synthesis of all Teachings
- Final Instruction
- Grace
Verses
Chapter overview
The longest chapter, and Krishna's summing-up. It begins where Arjuna's confusion began: what does giving something up actually mean?
Not abandoning work, Krishna says. Abandoning the grip on what work produces. Acts of sacrifice, giving and self-discipline should never be dropped — they are what refine a person.
He then walks the three gunas through everything one last time: knowledge, action, the doer, the intellect, resolve, even happiness. The happiness that tastes like poison at first and nectar later is the clear kind. The kind that is nectar first and poison after is the restless kind.
Near the end he returns Arjuna's freedom to him. I have told you everything, he says. Reflect on it fully, and then do as you choose.
And then the last word, offered rather than demanded: let everything else go, come to me, do not grieve.
Arjuna answers in one line. My confusion is gone. I will do as you say.
Browse by what you feel
Questions about Chapter 18
What is the difference between sannyasa and tyaga?
Arjuna asks in 18.1, and 18.2 answers: sannyasa is the renunciation of actions driven by desire; tyaga is abandoning the fruits of all actions. 18.5–18.6 then insist that acts of sacrifice, giving and austerity should never be abandoned — they purify the wise — but should be performed with attachment and the desire for fruit given up.
Does the Gita ever say plainly that the doer is not the sole cause?
18.13–18.15 do. Five factors bring about every action: the body as the seat, the doer, the various instruments, the many kinds of effort, and destiny as the fifth. 18.16 adds that one who sees the self alone as the agent, because of an untrained understanding, does not see truly.
What does 18.37 say about the two kinds of happiness?
That the happiness which is like poison at first and like nectar afterwards, born of the clarity of one's own mind, is sattvic. 18.38 gives the reverse — the happiness that is nectar at first and poison in the end, born of the contact of the senses with their objects, is rajasic. The test is not how it feels now but which direction it runs.
Why does 18.47 repeat the teaching about one's own duty?
Because the chapter is a synthesis and returns to it as a conclusion. Better one's own duty though imperfect than another's duty well performed; one who does the work ordained by their own nature incurs no fault. 18.48 adds that no undertaking is free of defect, as fire is enveloped by smoke — so the imperfection is not a reason to switch.
What is Krishna's final instruction, and how does Arjuna answer?
18.63 hands the decision back: I have told you the knowledge more secret than all secrets; reflect on it fully, and then do as you choose. Then 18.66 is the last teaching — abandoning all duties, come to me alone for refuge; I shall free you from all sins, do not grieve. Arjuna answers in 18.73: my delusion is destroyed, memory is regained by your grace, I stand firm with doubt gone, and I will do as you say.