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Gita for the Beginners: Part 18
Chapter XVIII

Chapter XVIII, the most elaborate last chapter consists of 78 verses. It summarizes the whole Gita for the benefit of Arjuna and the whole mankind. Again this chapter starts with Arjuna asking the difference between Sannyasa (Yoga of Renunciation) and Tyaga (Yoga of work without attachment), as if to revise and give finality to what he had already understood.

Jnana yogi and Advaita Vedantins believed that all kinds of actions are contrary to knowledge, and therefore, must be renounced. Thus, forest retreat (sannyasa) was given the higher honor and respect as the means to seek higher knowledge. To counter this pathological trend, Sri Krishna opened up new vistas for common people who live in the world and are householder devotees.

Sri Krishna partly agrees with the upholders of total renunciation when he says that sattvik acts of penance, gift, sacrifice, and austerities should not be given up. Selfless actions without consideration of the outcome are the best way to purify heart, intellect, and mind.

A question naturally comes to mind. All people are engaged in various activities. Some are well placed as priests in a temple/mosque/church, others hold power and position in factories, institutes, and offices, many labor hard in mills and industries in hot sun, still others have to do menial work of cleaning drainage, garbage and sewage disposal, etc. then it might come to our mind that some work is degrading while other is uplifting. Is it so? No, says the Lord! 'Better is one's duty, though devoid of merit, than the duty of another well executed. He, who performs the duty enjoined by his own nature, does not incur sin.' 18/47

"Arjuna, one should not abandon one's duty which attaches to him from his very birth, even though defective. All undertakings, indeed, are tainted with some blemish or the other, just as fire is clouded by smoke." 18/48

Thus, Lord indirectly prompts Arjuna (and us also) to fight war. And also says in the verse 59, "If, prompted y egoism, you think 'I will not fight', this determination of yours is vain; nature will compel you to fight." As the last parting gift, Sri Krishna reassures Arjuna, thus, "Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me and bow to Me; so shall you without doubt reach Me. This I truly promise to you; for you are dear to Me." 18/65 And further, "Surrendering all duties to Me, seek refuge in Me alone. I shall absolve you of all sins, grieve not." 18/66

An then as the last gesture of magnanimity, the Lord inquires, "Has this been heard by you with one-pointed mind, O son of Kunti? Has your delusion, born of ignorance, been destroyed?" 18/72 and truly, the illumine soul of Arjuna bursts forth with revealed truth, "O Krishna, my delusion is destroyed and, through Your Grace, I have gained knowledge and memory of my true Self. I stand freed from doubts; I shall, therefore, carry out your bidding." 18/73

Lastly, Sanjaya concludes the Gita by telling his opinion to the King Dhritarashtra, "Thus I heard the marvelous and thrilling conversation between Sri Krishna and the high souled Arjuna." (74) "O King, recollecting again and again, this wonderful and sacred dialogue, I rejoice over again and again." (76) "Wherever is Sri Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, and wherever is Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva Bow, assured are there prosperity, victory, glory, and righteousness; this my conviction." 18/78
Thus ends the Bhagavad Gita!
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