18/S.M.I.L.E

THE PERFECTION OF RENUNCIATION

Chapter Eighteen is a summary of the entire Bhagavad-gita. After systematically outlining various spiritual truths, Krishna offers His supreme advice: one should take up bhakti-yoga, the spiritual practice stressed in every chapter of this conversation, and develop their unique loving relationship with God. Thus, one is offered the opportunity of permanent happiness and fulfilment by the achievement of Krishna consciousness. This is considered the perfection of renunciation. In such consciousness, an individual can smile in the face of all situations and circumstances, confident that the smiling Krishna is his constant companion and best friend eternally.

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Summary of Karma-Yoga (1-18)

The Eighteenth chapter begins with Arjuna's most fundamental confusion. If working in this world seems to attract karmic reaction and implicates us in a web of worldly complexity, is it not safer that we give up work altogether? Krishna disagrees and reiterates that activity is not bad per se. The root of entanglement is the materialistic mentality with which we act, thinking ourselves the controller and enjoyer. There are five causes which bring success to any activity – the individual soul, the body, the senses, the endeavour, and ultimately the Supersoul. Since we are only one of the five we should never have an over-valued estimation of ourselves. By working in a spirit of detachment, offering the results of our work towards a spiritual goal, one can function in this world and simultaneously remain free from karmic entanglement.

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Modes of Nature (19-40)

In reality, most people are deeply engrossed in material pursuit and struggling in a network of karma. Krishna ascribes this to the influence of the modes of material nature, that entangle each person according to their individual mentality. He explains how the modes influence our knowledge, our actions, our understanding, our determination and ultimately our sense of happiness.

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Ideal Worker (41-55)

So what is the solution? On one hand we’re expected to be dutiful and detached workers, but in reality we have a psycho-physical nature influenced by the modes, which implicates us in worldly life. In this section, Krishna explains how one can engage their nature in different types of work. Four divisions are outlined – the brahmana (intelligent class), ksatriya (martial class), vaisya (mercantile class) and sudra (labourer class). One need not artificially imitate another's duty, but rather embrace what is natural and inborn. By engaging our nature and discharging work in a spirit of God consciousness, we purify ourselves of material propensities and live a happy and peaceful life.

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Love of God (56-66)

All the activities and practices recommended in the Bhagavad-Gita are ultimately aimed at achieving pure love of God. The highest realisation in transcendental knowledge is to re-establish one’s eternal loving relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Prabhupada wonderfully sums this up in his purport to 18.65: “The most confidential part of knowledge is that one should become a pure devotee of Krishna and always think of Him and act for Him. One should not become an official meditator. Life should be so moulded that one will always have the chance to think of Krishna. One should always act in such a way that all his daily activities are in connection with Krishna. He should arrange his life in such a way that throughout the twenty four hours he cannot help but think of Krishna. And the Lord’s promise is that anyone who is in such pure Krishna consciousness will certainly return to the abode of Krishna, where he will be engaged in the association of Krishna face to face.”

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End Result (67-78)

When one approaches the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad-gita with the proper consciousness, behaviour and application they become empowered to fully comprehend the deep and profound meanings. By hearing and studying this conversation with such favourable temperament, one perceives the spiritual dimension as a tangible reality and his life becomes exciting and wondrous at every step. Thus, to share this wisdom with society at large constitutes the greatest welfare work in the entire universe.

“TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED BY THE THINGS THAT YOU DIDN’T DO THAN BY THE ONES YOU DID DO. SO THROW OFF THE BOWLINES. SAIL AWAY FROM THE SAFE HARBOR. CATCH THE TRADE WINDS IN YOUR SAILS. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.” ~ MARK TWAIN.