Chapter 18, Verse 1 (Bhagavad Gita 18.1)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासस्य महाबाहो तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्। त्यागस्य च हृषीकेश पृथक्केशिनिषूदन
Transliteration
arjuna uvācha sannyāsasya mahā-bāho tattvam ichchhāmi veditum tyāgasya cha hṛiṣhīkeśha pṛithak keśhi-niṣhūdana
Word Meanings
arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; sanyāsasya—of renunciation of actions; mahā-bāho—mighty-armed one; tattvam—the truth; ichchhāmi—I wish; veditum—to understand; tyāgasya—of renunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actions; cha—and; hṛiṣhīkeśha—Krishna, the Lord of the senses; pṛithak—distinctively; keśhī-niṣhūdana—Krishna, the killer of the Keshi demon
Translation
Arjuna said: O mighty-armed Hrishikesa, O slayer of Kesi, I wish to understand the true nature of renunciation (sannyasa) and of abandonment (tyaga) distinctly.
Meaning & Commentary
In this opening verse of the final chapter, Arjuna seeks the ultimate clarity from Bhagwan Shri Krishna regarding the path of detachment. By addressing the Lord as Hrishikesa, the master of all senses, Arjuna acknowledges that true knowledge of renunciation can only be granted by the Supreme Divine. Shri Krishna is preparing to reveal that true detachment is not the mere physical abandonment of action, but the inward sacrifice of the fruits of action. This wisdom invites every seeker to purify their consciousness, offering all duties to the Lord of the Universe to achieve ultimate liberation. Through this dialogue, Shri Krishna reveals that the path to moksha is found in aligning one's will with His eternal, divine purpose.