arjuna uvaca: sannyasasya maha-baho tattvamicchhami veditum tyagasya ca hrishikesa prithak keshi-nisudana
Arjuna asks Krishna to explain the difference between sannyasa (renunciation of action) and tyaga (renunciation of the fruits of action). This opening question sets the stage for the final chapter's comprehensive teaching on liberation.
- •Arjuna sincerely seeks clarity on two distinct paths of renunciation
- •The distinction between sannyasa and tyaga is philosophically significant
- •Genuine inquiry is the gateway to spiritual wisdom
yad ahankaram asritya na yotsya iti manyase mithyaisa vyavasayas te prakritis tvam niyoksyati
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.
- •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
kac cid etac chrutam partha tvayaikagresa cetasa kac cid ajnana-sammohah pranastas te dhananjaya
O Arjuna, have you heard this with single-pointed mind? Has your delusion born of ignorance been dispelled, O Dhananjaya? Krishna checks directly whether his teaching has pierced through to Arjuna's core and dissolved his confusion.
- •One-pointed attention is required to fully receive transformative spiritual teaching
- •Krishna's direct question holds Arjuna personally accountable for his understanding
- •The dispelling of ajna-sammohah — delusion born of ignorance — is the goal of the entire teaching