Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Bhakti & surrenderChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.4818.50

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.49

Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhakti

असक्तबुद्धि: सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृह: ।

नैष्कर्म्यसिद्धिं परमां सन्न्यासेनाधिगच्छति ॥ ४९ ॥

asakta-buddhiḥ sarvatra

jitātmā vigata-spṛhaḥ

naiṣkarmya-siddhiṁ paramāṁ

sannyāsenādhigacchati

Translation

One who is self-controlled and unattached and who disregards all material enjoyments can obtain, by practice of renunciation, the highest perfect stage of freedom from reaction.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Real Renunciation

  1. 1Through renunciation, a self-controlled person who is unattached to material enjoyment can reach complete freedom from reactions to work.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that real renunciation means knowing we are part of the Supreme Lord and that our work’s results are for His enjoyment.
  3. 3Work for Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure, finding satisfaction in serving Him rather than in material enjoyment.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 18, The Perfection of Renunciation: purification, realization and knowing krishna by bhakti.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.49 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.50Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhaktiBG 18.51Purification, realization and knowing Krishna by bhaktiBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 18.49 — 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.