BG 18.1 to 18.

 BG finished in 17 chapters, 18 th is a summary. SP says that Krsna says that in every chapter,
Krsna emphasizes that devotional service to SPG is the ultimate goal of life..

In the first six chapters, stress was given to devotional service: yoginäm api sarveñäà... . "Of all yogis or
transcendentalists, one who always thinks of Me within himself is best." In the next six chapters, pure
devotional service and its nature and activity were discussed. In the third six chapters, knowledge,
renunciation, the activities of material nature and transcendental nature, and devotional service were
described. It was concluded that all acts should be performed in conjunction with the Supreme Lord,
represented by the words om tat sat, which indicate Viñëu, the Supreme Person.

 Arjuna wants to distinguish between renunciation (tyaga) and renounced order of life (sanyas).
Krsna defines: The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned
men call the renounced order of life [sannyäsa]. And giving up the results (fruits) of all activities
is what the wise call renunciation [tyäga].
 Some learned men opine that all fruitive activities should be given up, while others say sacrifice,
charity, penance shouldn’t be discontinued
o Jatho mat, tatho path.
o Vedic topics can be a point of contention and debate, since they are meant for elevation
of consciousness of ALL kind of people – different shloks for different folks. For instance
animal killing in sacrifices
o tarko ‘pratiñöhaù çrutayo vibhinnä, näsäv åñir yasya mataà na bhinnam
dharmasya tattvaà nihitaà guhäyäà mahäjano yena gataù sa panthäù
Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from
others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are
variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are
understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an
unadulterated, self-realized person. Consequently, as the çästras confirm, one should
accept whatever progressive path the mahäjanas advocate.
o Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat pranitam – word of God is the ultimate & final, as after all,
Vedas are laws given by God Himself
 The three kinds of renunciation are based on the three modes of material nature.
 Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not to be given up; they must be performed. Indeed,
sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls.
o Not that in the mode of being a renounced person, even when there is a need or
opportunity for performing sacrifice or giving charity, I don’t do them
o Many purificatory ceremonies like vivaha yagya – not to be given up. All prescribed
sacrifices (or samskaras) are meant for achieving the supreme Lord
o Charity for the right cause not to be given up
o These three activities contain knowledge that purifies the heart and elevates one.
o Purify great souls
 Eg Arjuna postponed charity to next day
  King Rantidev
o The mood in which all 3 have to be done is described in next verse
 All these activities should be performed without attachment or any expectation of result. They
should be performed as a matter of duty.
o Give up sacrifices with expectation of material results
o Continue sacrifices that purify our existence & elevate us (chanting, charity, service to
deities…)
o A devotee of the Lord should accept any kind of work, sacrifice or charity which will
help him in the discharge of devotional service to the Lord.
o Ramanand Rai samvaad
o Activity without knowledge of good or bad – leads to sinful activity and degradation to
lower species of life
o Activity with some knowledge – I will sin (as I cant help it), but just do good things with
a mood that I will enjoy