bhagavad-gitagitakrishnamoksha-sannyasa-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 18.7 — Niyatasya Tu Sannyasah

Bhagavad Gita 18.7 — Niyatasya Tu Sannyasah in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 During study of the Gita's teaching on action and renunciation·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 7

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In His final teaching on renunciation and abandonment (sannyasa and tyaga), Krishna clarifies that one should never give up one's prescribed, obligatory duties. To abandon such duty out of delusion is renunciation in the mode of ignorance (tamasic). This verse establishes that true renunciation is not the dropping of duty, but giving up attachment to results — a key to the Gita's teaching on right action.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 7 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the eighteenth chapter, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Krishna explains the true meaning of renunciation (sannyasa) and abandonment (tyaga) in response to Arjuna's question. Here He teaches that abandoning prescribed duty out of delusion is tamasic, establishing that genuine renunciation is the surrender of attachment, not of duty itself.

✦ As told in scripture

The wise teach that those who abandon duty out of delusion fall into darkness, while those who perform their duties selflessly, surrendering the fruits to the Lord, attain purity of heart and, in time, the highest liberation.

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The Mantra

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niyatasya tu sannyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

Meaning:But the renunciation of obligatory duty is not proper; abandoning it out of delusion is declared to be renunciation in the mode of ignorance (tamas).

Word-by-Word Meaning

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niyatasya🔊of prescribed; obligatory

tu🔊but

sannyāsaḥ🔊renunciation; giving up

karmaṇaḥ🔊of action; of duty

na upapadyate🔊is not proper; is not befitting

mohāt🔊out of delusion

tasya parityāgaḥ🔊the abandonment of it

tāmasaḥ🔊of the nature of tamas (ignorance)

parikīrtitaḥ🔊is declared; is said to be

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 18.7 — Niyatasya Tu Sannyasah

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Clarifies that one should never abandon one's rightful duty

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Distinguishes true renunciation from giving up out of delusion

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Warns against tamasic (ignorant) abandonment of obligations

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Reinforces the Gita's teaching of acting without attachment to results

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Guides the seeker toward responsible, selfless action

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Encourages fulfilling duty as part of the spiritual path

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 18.7 — Niyatasya Tu Sannyasah

Repetitions11times

Best TimeDuring study of the Gita's teaching on action and renunciation

Recite this verse while reflecting on the right understanding of renunciation. As you chant, take to heart that abandoning one's duty out of delusion is not true renunciation. Resolve instead to perform your obligations sincerely while giving up attachment to their results, which is the genuine renunciation the Gita upholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 18.7 — Niyatasya Tu Sannyasah written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Krishna teaches that one should never renounce one's prescribed, obligatory duties. Abandoning such duty out of delusion is renunciation in the mode of ignorance (tamasic), and is therefore improper.

'Niyata karma' means prescribed or obligatory duty — the actions one is rightly bound to perform according to one's nature and station. The Gita teaches that these should be carried out, not abandoned, even by one seeking spiritual liberation.

Tamasic renunciation is giving up one's duty out of delusion, confusion or a desire to avoid effort. Because it arises from ignorance rather than wisdom, the Gita declares it to be renunciation in the mode of darkness (tamas), and not true renunciation.

True renunciation (tyaga), as Krishna explains in this chapter, is performing one's duties while giving up attachment to their fruits. One acts fully and sincerely, but surrenders the results to the Lord, free from craving and ego.