Chapter 18 - Thy Looking-glass

This chapter of 78slokas, known asmoksha sanyaasa yoga, Realization through Abnegation, describes such aspects of human behaviour based on the three natures - virtue, passion and delusion - and the path of selfless action. And in the end, the relevance of, and the reverence to, the Gita is described.

One can note that s12 breaks the continuity between s11 and s13 with hyperbolic averments, and s56 combines what is stated in the preceding and the succeedingslokas, and thus both are seemingly interpolations.

S41- s48 that describe the allotted duties of man on the basis of his caste are clearly interpolations. In essence, the discourse till s 40 is about the human nature and how it affects man. As can be seen, the duties on caste lines detailed in the said interpolations have no continuity of argument. As in earlier chapters, the text acquires continuity if only these verses are bypassed.

S61 avers that the Supreme dwells in humans and deludes them all by hismaya. This is contrary to what is stated in s14, ch.5, ‘It’s his nature, but not Spirit / Makes man act by wants induced’. Thus, s61 clearly is an interpolation as it contravenes the neutrality of the Supreme Spirit in the affairs of man affirmed throughout by Lord Krishna.

1

Thus spoke Arjuna:

Pray Thee tell, for my grasp

All about sanyaas, path forsake

And self-denial that’s tyaaga.

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2

Thus spoke the Lord:

Lack inclination, it’s sanyaas

Sans wants work what makes tyaaga.

3

Fault some sages effort per se

Others give nod to deeds noble.

4

Make thee privy of three ways

By which, men all give up well.

5

Effort, gift ’n austerity

Take men all on road forsake.

6

Forsake I this vouchsafe when

Acts man with no axe to grind.

7

Avoid obligation, it’s no abnegation

Boils it down to, give up of delusion.

8

Forgo made easy passionate opt

Desist from duties that strain them.

9

Indulge virtuous in their work

With no thought of its outcome.

10

With no illusion but diligence

Carries renunciant his duties

Agreeable or otherwise too.

11

Needs one work to sustain life

Relinquients avoid, overloads all.

13

Factors five all deeds engulf

Know them well to free thyself.

14

Prone are acts to these aspects -

Body to sustain, ego that goads

Senses thy lure, life to guard

Faith in deities that tends thee.

15

Be well or so be ill

In word, thought ’n deed as well

Sourced are acts in these aspects.

16

Ignoramus in vain ascribe

Acts of theirs to Spirit in them.

17

It’s for thee to realize now

That by killing these Kauravs

Slay thee none of them thyself.




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