Introduction

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 is the final and most decisive chapter of the Gita. In this chapter, Arjuna seeks clarity on renunciation, duty, devotion, and the ultimate path to liberation. The giver of Gita knowledge explains different forms of renunciation, the influence of the three gunas, the nature of true devotion, and finally reveals the existence of a Supreme God who is higher than himself.

This chapter concludes the entire Gita by revealing that liberation is not attained by worldly duties, yogic practices, or worship limited to Brahm (Kaal), but only by taking refuge in the Supreme God (Param Akshar Brahm).

Chapter Eighteen

Summary

In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 1, Arjuna asks:

“O mighty-armed one! I wish to understand distinctly the essence and conclusion of renunciation (sannyas) and sacrifice (tyag).”

Knowledge of Actions to Be Renounced and Not Renounced

Verse 2

The giver of Gita knowledge explains what he has heard from others:

Some learned poets say that renunciation means giving up devotional acts performed for fulfillment of desires. Others, who consider themselves wise thinkers, say that renunciation means giving up the fruits of actions.

Verse 3

Some so-called scholars say that all actions are दोषयुक्त (defective) and should be renounced. Others say that actions such as sacrifice (yagya), charity (daan), and austerity (tap) should not be renounced.

Verse 4

“O tiger among men, Arjuna! Now listen to my conclusion about renunciation. Renunciation is said to be of three kinds.”

Verse 5

Duties such as religious rituals, charity, and austerity performed in the struggle of life are called austerity. These should not be renounced. They must be performed because sacrifice, charity, and austerity purify the soul of learned devotees.

Verse 6

These actions should be performed while renouncing attachment and desire for results. This is My firm and supreme conclusion.

Verse 7

Renunciation of prescribed (scriptural) duties is improper. Every action has some defect, just as fire has smoke. One does not abandon cooking because fire produces smoke. Likewise, prescribed duties cannot be abandoned even if they involve minor sin.

Example: A farmer ploughs his field. Many creatures die in the soil, yet farming cannot be abandoned because the intention is not violence but duty.

Sins are destroyed daily through devotion taken from a Complete Saint, just as clothes are cleaned daily with soap and water.

Renouncing duty due to ignorance and emotion is called tamasic renunciation.

Verse 8

Renunciation due to fear of hardship is called rajasic renunciation and never yields spiritual fruit.

Verse 9

Performing prescribed duty with detachment and without desire for reward is called sattvic renunciation.

Verse 10

One who neither hates unpleasant work nor becomes attached to pleasant work, but simply performs his duty — such a person is a sattvic renunciate.

Verse 11

No embodied being can renounce all actions completely. One who performs devotion without desire for reward is the true renunciate.

Verse 12

Those who perform actions without scriptural discipline must suffer good and bad results after death. But those who practice devotion according to scripture are freed from this suffering.

Five Causes of Action (Verses 13–15)

The giver of Gita knowledge (Kaal Brahm) explains Vedantic knowledge:

Five causes govern all actions:

1. The body (basis)
2. The doer
3. The instruments (senses)
4. The efforts
5. Divine destiny (past impressions)

Without a Satguru, the soul is like a boat without a boatman, drifting helplessly in the river of life.

The Ignorant and the Enlightened

Verse 16

One who thinks himself the sole doer without a Satguru is foolish.

Verse 17

A disciple of a Tatvadarshi Saint performs all actions as divine command and does not incur sin.

Like a soldier who fights under royal command — he is not guilty of killing.

Knowledge, Action, and the Doer (Verses 18–28)

Knowledge, action, and the doer are each of three kinds according to the three gunas.

• Sattvic Knowledge: Sees one imperishable God in all beings
• Rajasic Knowledge: Sees separateness
• Tamasic Knowledge: Rootless ignorance

Similarly:

• Sattvic Action: Scriptural, desireless devotion
• Rajasic Action: Performed for reward and display
• Tamasic Action: Blind imitation without understanding

The doer is also classified as sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic.

Intellect, Determination, and Happiness (Verses 29–39)

Intellect and determination are also of three kinds.

• Sattvic happiness: Begins as poison, ends as nectar (devotion)
• Rajasic happiness: Begins as nectar, ends as poison (sense pleasure)
• Tamasic happiness: Delusion from beginning to end

Influence of the Three Gunas (Verse 40)

All gods, humans, and demons are influenced by the three gunas flowing from Brahma (rajas), Vishnu (sattva), and Shiva (tamas).

Division of Duties (Verses 41–45)

Duties arise from natural qualities:

• Brahmin: Discipline, purity, forgiveness, knowledge
• Kshatriya: Courage, strength, leadership
• Vaishya: Farming, trade, cow protection
• Shudra: Service

Originally there was no caste. Duties were divided by capability.

By performing one’s natural duty and taking initiation from a Satguru, one attains divine power.

Worship of the Supreme God Beyond the Gita Speaker

Verse 46

The Gita speaker instructs Arjuna to worship another Supreme God, from whom all beings originate and by whom the universe is sustained.

Verse 47

Correct translation:

“Scripture-based devotion is superior to any self-made religious practice. Performing one's natural duties while practicing true devotion, one does not incur sin.”

Verse 48

All worldly duties contain some sin — like smoke in fire — yet cannot be abandoned. Through true devotion under a Complete Saint, sins do not bind.

Verse 49

The devotee who renounces evil and practices true devotion attains liberation beyond Kaal Brahm and reaches Satlok.

Attainment of the Supreme God (Verses 50–56)

A seeker purified by Tatvagyan:

• Becomes free from ego, desire, anger
• Practices meditation and devotion
• Becomes eligible for attaining the Supreme God

Through two-name and then Saar Naam initiation, the soul enters true devotion and attains Satlok.

Kaal Brahm and the Supreme God (Verses 57–62)

Kaal Brahm commands Arjuna to fight but finally instructs:

Verse 62 “O Bharat! Take refuge in that Supreme God. By His grace alone you will attain supreme peace and the eternal realm (Satlok).”

Conclusion of the Gita (Verses 63–66)

Verse 63

“I have revealed to you the most secret knowledge of the Gita. Reflect deeply and act as you choose.”

Verse 64

That Supreme God is also the worshipped deity of the Gita speaker.

Verse 66

“Take refuge in that Supreme God alone.”

Final Teaching

• The Gita speaker is Kaal Brahm, bound to birth and death (2:12, 4:5, 10:2).
• His mantra is Om (8:13) and leads only to Brahmlok, from which souls return.
• Supreme liberation is attained only by worship of Param Akshar Brahm.
• The true mantra is Om Tat Sat (17:23).
• The Supreme God resides in Satlok, from where souls never return.

Essence

The Bhagavad Gita’s deepest secret is that:

👉 The speaker of the Gita is not the Supreme God
👉 The Supreme God is beyond him
👉 Only the Supreme God grants eternal liberation