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Chapter 18 • Verse 10
The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna describes the characteristics of one who practices proper relinquishment. 'Na dveṣṭi akuśalaṁ karma'—does not hate (na dveṣṭi) unfavorable action (akuśalaṁ karma). 'Kuśale nānuṣajjate'—nor is attached (na anuṣajjate) to favorable action (kuśale). The true relinquisher (tyāgī) doesn't avoid difficult actions out of aversion, nor clings to pleasant actions out of attachment. They're balanced: not avoiding difficulty, not clinging to pleasure. 'Sattva-samāviṣṭaḥ'—filled with sattva. 'Medhāvī'—intelligent. 'Chinna-saṁśayaḥ'—one whose doubts are cut, free from uncertainty. These are the qualities of proper relinquishment: balanced, wise, clear. You don't hate what's difficult, you don't cling to what's pleasant—you perform duty with equanimity, filled with sattva and free from doubt.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
This verse describes the characteristics of one who practices proper relinquishment. Such a person does not hate unfavorable action (na dveṣṭi akuśalaṁ karma) nor is attached to favorable action (kuśale nānuṣajjate). They are filled with sattva (sattva-samāviṣṭaḥ), intelligent (medhāvī), and free from doubt (chinna-saṁśayaḥ). This is the balanced state: neither avoiding difficulty nor clinging to pleasure, but performing duty with equanimity. You don't hate what's difficult, you don't cling to what's pleasant—you maintain balance. This is the mark of true relinquishment: equanimity, wisdom, clarity. When you achieve this balance, you're free from both aversion and attachment, performing duty with understanding and freedom.
Personal Reflection
Are you avoiding difficult actions or clinging to pleasant ones? Have you been maintaining balance or swinging between aversion and attachment? What would change if you practiced equanimity—not hating difficulty, not clinging to pleasure?
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