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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Questions & crisisChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
17.2818.2

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.1

Arjuna asks about renunciation

सन्न्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् ।

त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन ॥ १ ॥

arjuna uvāca

sannyāsasya mahā-bāho

tattvam icchāmi veditum

tyāgasya ca hṛṣīkeśa

pṛthak keśi-niṣūdana

Translation

Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, I wish to understand the purpose of renunciation [tyāga] and of the renounced order of life [sannyāsa], O killer of the Keśī demon, master of the senses.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Understanding Renunciation

  1. 1Arjuna asks Kṛṣṇa to explain the purpose of renunciation (tyāga) and the renounced order of life (sannyāsa).
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that Chapter Eighteen summarizes the teachings: devotional service to the Supreme Lord is life’s ultimate goal.
  3. 3Like Arjuna, seek Kṛṣṇa’s help to clear doubts and find peace of mind.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 18, The Perfection of Renunciation: arjuna asks about renunciation.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Honest questions open the way to wisdom.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: saṁśaya, viṣāda.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.1 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to questions & crisis?

Practice

Write down the real question behind your current dilemma.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 18 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 1.28Compassion entangled with attachmentBG 1.46The bow falls

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 18.1 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.