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Relinquishment and Renunciation of Action

What exactly does the Gita ask us to give up, and what must we keep? Start here: renunciation drops desire-driven acts, relinquishment drops the claim on the fruit, and duty stays.

In brief

  • Arjuna asks for renunciation and relinquishment to be explained separately (18.1).
  • Renunciation gives up desire-driven acts; relinquishment gives up the fruit of every act (18.2).
  • Sacrifice, giving and self-discipline are not to be given up, and they are done without clinging (18.5).
  • A duty done because it ought to be done is the clear way; no embodied being can give up action entirely (18.9, 18.11).

What exactly are we asked to give up, and what must we keep? Near the end of the Gita Arjuna asks for the two words, renunciation and relinquishment, to be explained apart (Gita 18.1). The Lord answers that renunciation is giving up actions driven by desire, and relinquishment is giving up the fruit of every action (Gita 18.2).

Neither means dropping duty. Sacrifice, giving and self-discipline are not to be given up (Gita 18.5), and no embodied being can stop acting altogether (Gita 18.11). What goes is the clinging. The clear way of giving up is to do a duty because it ought to be done (Gita 18.9).

The two key words are renunciation and relinquishment. Giving up out of confusion or out of fear of discomfort is not what the Gita means.

This topic stands on The Path of Karma Yoga, after Renunciation or Karma Yoga? and before Freedom Through Action.

It can be read as a simple reading, a detailed reading or a deeper reading.

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Same topic, three depths. Pick the one that fits you today; you can switch any time.

Start with Simple →

Simple New to this topic. Plain words, one idea at a time. Life Feels Too Heavy: What to Give Up and What to Keep, According to the Gita Give up the grip on results and the wants that drive you; do not give up your duties (18.2, 18.11). 6 min · Read → In Depth Know the basics. Verse by verse, with reasons. What to Give Up and What Not To: Renunciation and Relinquishment, Gita 18.1–12 Renunciation is giving up actions driven by desire; relinquishment is giving up the fruit of every action (18.2). 13 min · Read → Deeper Want the text itself: Sanskrit terms, commentary, close reading. Gita 18.1–12: Two Words for Giving Up, and What the Lord Says to Keep Renunciation gives up actions done only to gain something; relinquishment gives up the claim on the fruit of every action (18.2). 16 min · Read → Quick summary Short on time. The whole topic in a few minutes. Relinquishment and Renunciation of Action: Quick Summary Arjuna asks to know renunciation and relinquishment separately (18.1). 10 min · Read →

Key shlokas

Concepts

Common misreadings

  • Giving up means giving up all work

Part of these learning paths

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