Chapter 18, Verse 10
न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते | त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो मेधावी छिन्नसंशय: ॥10॥
na dveṣṭy-akuśalaṁ karma kuśale nānuṣajjate | tyāgī sattva-samāviṣṭo medhāvī chinna-saṁśayaḥ ||10||
"The person of renunciation, pervaded by the quality of goodness, being intelligent and with doubts dispelled, neither hates unpleasant work nor is attached to pleasant work."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.10 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.10 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse describes the psychology of a 'Sattvic Tyagi' (a renunciant in the mode of goodness). Such an individual does not operate based on personal likes (raga) or dislikes (dvesha). They are 'medhāvī' (wise) because they understand that the nature of the work—whether pleasant or unpleasant—does not affect the soul. Their doubts ('chinna-saṁśayaḥ') regarding the necessity of duty have been severed. Like a master navigator on a ship, they don't complain about the stormy weather (akuśalaṁ karma) nor do they get intoxicated by the calm seas (kuśale karma); they simply perform their duty to reach the destination. This equanimity is rooted in being 'sattva-samāviṣṭo' (established in purity and clarity).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 18.10?
The person of renunciation, pervaded by the quality of goodness, being intelligent and with doubts dispelled, neither hates unpleasant work nor is attached to pleasant work.