Chapter 18 • Verse 59

Moksha Sanyasa Yoga

The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation

Sanskrit Verse

yad ahankaram asritya na yotsya iti manyase mithyaisa vyavasayas te prakritis tvam niyoksyati

Translation & Meaning

If, taking refuge in ego, you think 'I will not fight,' this resolve of yours is false. Your nature will compel you. The ego's decision to withdraw from duty is ultimately overridden by one's own deeper svabhava.

Key Teachings

  • •Ego-based resolve to avoid duty is false and will be overridden by one's nature
  • •Svabhava — one's intrinsic nature — is more powerful than the ego's temporary decisions
  • •This verse confronts the delusion behind Arjuna's initial refusal to fight

Topics

egosvabhavanaturedutyarjuna
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