Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

The Bhagavad Gita, the Lord’s song, is a dialogue between Lord Sri Krishna and Pandava Prince Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

The eighteenth chapter ‘Mokshasannyasa Yoga’, starts with Arjuna’s question about the difference between sannyasa (renunciation) and tyaga (abandonment). Shri Krishna then proceeds to explain what the two terms are in light of the three gunas – sattva, rajas and tamas and the way they influence one’s temperament. Important concepts like the varna system, svadharma and techniques of meditation are revisited throughout the chapter. In the end, Shri Krishna concludes by asking the seeker to “take refuge in Him” to progress in their spiritual journey. If the second chapter is a summary of the Bhagavad Gita in anticipation, the 18th Chapter is a report on the Bhagavad Gita in retrospect. The epic song that started with Sanjaya’s first word ‘dharma’, ends with his last word ‘mama’.

This album contains discourses by Swami Advayananda, recorded in September 2022, during the Vedanta Sadhaka Course held in Adi Sankara Nilayam.