Bhagavad Gita BG 18.3
Chapter 18, Verse 3 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः । यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ॥
tyajyam dosha-vad ity eke karma prahur manishinah yajna-dana-tapah-karma na tyajyam iti ca apare
Meaning
Some sages (manishinah) declare that action should be abandoned as an evil (dosha-vat). Others say that acts of sacrifice (yajna), giving (dana), and austerity (tapas) should not be abandoned.
Understanding
Krishna maps the existing debate on renunciation. Two well-established philosophical positions: (1) Eke manishinah (certain sages) hold that all karma should be abandoned as dosha-vat (evil-like, tainted — because all karma generates binding impressions and perpetuates samsara). This is the radical renunciate position: action is the problem, so stop acting. (2) Apare (others) counter: yajna-dana-tapah — the three pillars of sacred life — must not be abandoned. Even these 'wise sages' disagree. Krishna is about to give the definitive resolution that transcends this apparent contradiction. His answer: neither extreme is complete — what should be abandoned is the fruit, not the action itself.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| त्याज्यम् | tyajyam | should be abandoned, is to be relinquished |
| दोषवत् | dosha-vat | like an evil/defect, as if it were tainted (dosha = fault, vat = like) |
| मनीषिणः | manishinah | sages, the wise, thoughtful reflectors |
| यज्ञदानतपःकर्म | yajna-dana-tapah-karma | acts of sacrifice, giving, and austerity |
| अपरे | apare | others (other sages, of a different school) |
| त्याज्यम् | tyājyam | to be abandoned |
| दोष-वत् | doṣa-vat | as faulty, as evil |
| इति | iti | thus |
| एके | eke | some |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| प्राहुः | prāhuḥ | declare |
| मनीषिणः | manīṣiṇaḥ | the thoughtful |
| यज्ञ | yajña | sacrifice |
| दान | dāna | charity |
| तपः | tapaḥ | austerity |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| न | na tyājyam | should not be abandoned |
| इति | iti ca | and thus |