Bhagavad Gita 18.10 — The True Relinquisher: Free from Aversion, Attachment, and Doubt
न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते ।
त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः ॥ १८.१० ॥
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The relinquisher, pervaded by sattva (purity), wise, and free from doubts, neither hates disagreeable action nor is attached to agreeable action.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| dveṣhṭi | hates |
| akuśhalam | disagreeable, unpleasant |
| karma | action |
| kuśhale | in agreeable, in pleasant (action) |
| na | nor |
| anuṣhajjate | is attached |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tyāgī | the relinquisher |
| sattvasamāviṣhṭaḥ | pervaded by sattva, established in purity |
| medhāvī | wise, intelligent |
| chhinnasaṁśhayaḥ | one whose doubts are cut off |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not | tyāgī | the relinquisher |
| dveṣhṭi | hates | sattvasamāviṣhṭaḥ | pervaded by sattva, established in purity |
| akuśhalam | disagreeable, unpleasant | medhāvī | wise, intelligent |
| karma | action | chhinnasaṁśhayaḥ | one whose doubts are cut off |
| kuśhale | in agreeable, in pleasant (action) | ||
| na | nor | ||
| anuṣhajjate | is attached | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the inner qualities of the person who has truly attained <em>sāttvic</em> renunciation. Such a person does not hate an unpleasant action and is not attached to a pleasant one, because their mind is steady, clear, and free from doubt.
Essence
The portrait of the true renouncer
Lord Krishna now moves from the definition of renunciation to the person who lives it. Several qualities appear together in this single verse.
Sattva-samāviṣṭaḥ (pervaded by sattva): Such a person is filled with clarity, calm, and balance. Their decisions are made from understanding and not from impulse.
Medhāvī (the wise, the intelligent): This points to a mind that sees things as they are. It is not mere cleverness, but discernment about what truly matters.
Chinna-saṁśayaḥ (one whose doubts are cut): Inner conflict has been resolved. The person no longer wavers between competing ideas of what to do, because the understanding of duty has become settled.
Na dveṣṭi akuśalaṁ karma (does not hate an unpleasant action): A difficult or distasteful duty does not provoke aversion. It is simply done.
Kuśale nānuṣajjate (is not attached to a pleasant one): An agreeable or rewarding task does not create clinging either.
Freedom from likes and dislikes
Most of our choices are quietly governed by rāga (attraction) and dveṣa (aversion). We take what we like and avoid what we dislike. The person described here is not ruled by this pull. They respond to what the situation requires. That is real inner freedom.
Importantly, this is not coldness. It is steadiness. Such a person can feel joy in a pleasant task and still not depend on it.
Message for Everyday Life (Beyond Liking and Disliking)
Much of our daily stress arises from resisting the tasks we dislike and clinging to the ones we enjoy.
Try this: Pick one task you habitually postpone because you dislike it and do it with full attention, without commentary. Then notice how a pleasant task also tends to tempt us into overindulgence. Observing both tendencies weakens their hold.
Clear mind, clear action: When doubt is resolved and attachment is loosened, action becomes simple and calm.
The portrait of the true renouncer
Lord Krishna now moves from the definition of renunciation to the person who lives it. Several qualities appear together in this single verse.
Sattva-samāviṣṭaḥ (pervaded by sattva): Such a person is filled with clarity, calm, and balance. Their decisions are made from understanding and not from impulse.
Medhāvī (the wise, the intelligent): This points to a mind that sees things as they are. It is not mere cleverness, but discernment about what truly matters.
Chinna-saṁśayaḥ (one whose doubts are cut): Inner conflict has been resolved. The person no longer wavers between competing ideas of what to do, because the understanding of duty has become settled.
Na dveṣṭi akuśalaṁ karma (does not hate an unpleasant action): A difficult or distasteful duty does not provoke aversion. It is simply done.
Kuśale nānuṣajjate (is not attached to a pleasant one): An agreeable or rewarding task does not create clinging either.
Freedom from likes and dislikes
Most of our choices are quietly governed by rāga (attraction) and dveṣa (aversion). We take what we like and avoid what we dislike. The person described here is not ruled by this pull. They respond to what the situation requires. That is real inner freedom.
Importantly, this is not coldness. It is steadiness. Such a person can feel joy in a pleasant task and still not depend on it.
Message for Everyday Life (Beyond Liking and Disliking)
Much of our daily stress arises from resisting the tasks we dislike and clinging to the ones we enjoy.
Try this: Pick one task you habitually postpone because you dislike it and do it with full attention, without commentary. Then notice how a pleasant task also tends to tempt us into overindulgence. Observing both tendencies weakens their hold.
Clear mind, clear action: When doubt is resolved and attachment is loosened, action becomes simple and calm.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the inner steadiness of the one established in <em>sāttvic</em> renunciation. In the next verse, He addresses a practical point: since no embodied being can stop acting altogether, what exactly does true renunciation require?
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Neither run from the unpleasant nor cling to the pleasant.
Freedom from preference is freedom from turmoil.
Doubt dissolves when the mind is clean.
Do the disliked task as calmly as the liked one.
Equal-mindedness is a quiet kind of power.
Likes and dislikes are poor guides to duty.
A steady heart makes any work light.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 'akuśhalam karma' (disagreeable action) and 'kuśhale' (in agreeable action)?
Why is this person called 'sattvasamāviṣhṭaḥ' (pervaded by purity and clarity)?
What does 'chhinnasaṁśhayaḥ' (one whose doubts are cut off) mean?
Does this mean the true relinquisher never feels any preference?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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