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दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्।स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत्।।18.8।।

duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśha-bhayāt tyajet sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet

Sanskrit Chant Recitation
Chapter 18, Verse 8
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Scripture Translation Room

Sanskrit to English Translation

Translator:
He who abandons action out of fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of renunciation by performing such Rajasic renunciation.

A Reading - Rantideb

Why: one who abandons action from fear of physical discomfort, thinking it painful, performing renunciation of the passionate kind, does not gain the fruit of renunciation, naming a second specific error, avoiding something difficult purely to escape discomfort while calling it renunciation.

In life: avoiding a genuinely difficult but necessary task purely because it's uncomfortable, while telling yourself you're being wise or restrained about it, is a specific, recognizable form of self-deception worth catching.

Teaching: the next time you're avoiding a difficult but necessary task and telling yourself it's a wise choice to step back, check honestly whether the actual driver is simply discomfort avoidance dressed up as wisdom.

duḥkhamtroublesome
itias
evaindeed
yatwhich
karmaduties
kāyabodily
kleśhadiscomfort
bhayātout of fear
tyajetgiving up
saḥthey
kṛitvāhaving done
rājasamin the mode of passion
tyāgamrenunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actions
nanever
evacertainly
tyāgarenunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actions
phalamresult
labhetattain

Deep Classical Commentary (Bhashya)

Author:
18.8 दुःखम् (it is) painful? इति thus? एव even? यत् which? कर्म action? कायक्लेशभयात् from fear of bodily trouble? त्यजेत् abandons? सः he? कृत्वा performing? राजसम् Rajasic? त्यागम् abandonment? न not? एव even? त्यागफलम् the fruit of abandonment? लभेत् obtains.Commentary Phalam Fruit or reward Moksha or emancipation which is the reward of renunciation of all actions accompanied with wisdom.Determination and persistence are reired for the performance of religious duties and actions. One may begin action but may relinish it before it is completed on account of some difficulties or physical suffering. What then is Sattvic renunciation The Lord says --