Chapter 18 · Verse 8

Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender

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

Word Meanings

duḥkham iti eva yat karma kāya kleśha bhayāt tyajet saḥ kṛitvā rājasam tyāgam na eva tyāga phalam labhet

Translation

One who abandons prescribed duties merely because they are troublesome, out of fear of bodily discomfort, performs renunciation in the mode of passion and never gains the true fruit of renunciation.

Commentary

दुःखम् (it is) painful? इति thus? एव even? यत् which? कर्म action? कायक्लेशभयात् from fear of bodily trouble? त्यजेत् abandons? सः he? कृत्वा performing? राजसम् Rajasic? त्यागम् abandonment? न not? एव even? त्यागफलम् the fruit of abandonment? लभेत् obtains.Commentary Phalam Fruit or reward Moksha or emancipation which is the reward of renunciation of all actions accompanied with wisdom.Determination and persistence are reired for the performance of religious duties and actions. One may begin action but may relinish it before it is completed on account of some difficulties or physical suffering. What then is Sattvic renunciation The Lord says --