Verse 18.5 : Moksha Sanyasa Yoga "Liberation and Renunciation"
Verse 5 of 78
“
The Translation
“Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity must never be abandoned; they must be performed. For sacrifice, charity, and austerity are the purifiers of even the wise.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna delivers His final verdict on the debate of action. In ancient India, some ascetics believed that once a person attained spiritual knowledge, they could drop all ethical duties and rituals. Krishna firmly rejects this view, establishing that certain actions are essential for maintaining cosmic and personal order.
Practical Application
1
Commit to daily habits of self-discipline, charity, and service as essential practices for keeping your mind clean and healthy.
Reflections & Notes
Saved to browser
Self-Reflection Prompts
- Why do even highly spiritually advanced people need to continue practicing charity and self-discipline? How does this protect them from pride?
- In what ways do selfless deeds act as a 'soap' for our inner character, cleaning away selfishness?
Have you finished this lesson?
Mark this verse as studied to track your progress and see your learning journey on the dashboard.
18.5
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्
Shankara comments that for those seekers who are still on the path of purification (Karma Yogis), these three actions are indispensable because they remove mental impurities. However, for a fully realized sage (Jnani) who has attained complete identity with Brahman, these actions drop away naturally as they have no ego to purify.