234. Shedding Attachment

After elaborating on the four schools of thought about renunciation, Krishna says, “Now hear My conclusion on the subject of renunciation which is threefold” (18.4). The subsequent verses clarify that renunciation is of three types viz. Satva, Rajo and Tamo renunciation.

Krishna further says, “Actions based upon yajna (sacrifice), daan (charity), and tapah (penance) should never be abandoned; they must certainly be performed. Indeed, acts of yajna, daan and tapah sanctify even the wise (18.5). These activities must be performed without attachment and expectation of rewards. This is My definite and supreme verdict” (18.6). Performing karma without the expectation of karma-phal is another core teaching of the Bhagavad Gita.

At the level of ignorance, one keeps collecting material things, gathering power, fame and influence. Renunciation is the next stage. One might treat it as a barter like donating to get fame or to attain punya (virtue) etc. Renunciation might also happen when one goes through despondency like Arjuna’s idea of renouncing the Kurukshetra battle. As all of us go through such dilemmas, a lot is said in the Bhagavad Gita about tyaga and sannyas.

Krishna spoke about renunciation on many occasions. He said that one cannot attain siddhi (perfection) by mere renunciation (3.4); one should always be a nitya-sannyasi (perpetual renunciant), i.e. one who neither hates nor desires; is free from the pairs of opposites (dwandwa-atheeth) and is easily liberated from all entanglements (5.3); he is a sannyasi and yogi who does his bounden duty without depending on the fruits of action (karma-phal) but not the one without action (6.1).

These teachings are again reflected here when he said that actions like yajna, daan and tapah should be performed without attachment. He is referring to the shedding of mental attachments with physical possessions.