Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Introduction

Chapter 18 is the last chapter of Bhagavad Gita and in this chapter Krishna (Kaal inside the body of Krishna) summarises the gist of Bhagavad Gita. Kaal gives the most profound knowledge about the 'Yog of salvation' to Arjun. He explains to Arjun how salvation can be achieved by paying one's outstanding debt. Once the debt has been paid the soul can then migrate to the higher dimension i.e Satlok (Shaasvat Sthaan) or eternal place. To find out the information about the method to pay this outstanding debt, Kaal has already instructed Arjun to find a Tatvadarshi Saint in Gita 4:34 who would give him the mantra for salvation.

Gita Chapter 18 | Verse 1 to 3

Arjun asks separately about ‘Tyaag’ (relinquishment) Sanyas (renunciation of the world).

Gita Chapter 18 Verse 4

In Gita chapter 18 verse 4, God is saying about Tyaag first

Tyaag is of three types. The actions of charity (daan) – yagya – austerity (tap) should be performed. The meaning of (Tap) austerity is, to practice restraint, to be truthful like King Harishchandra. One should not relinquish these. Yagya and charity should be done without the desire for their fruits.

After Taking Initiation from a Complete Saint, One is Not Convicted of the Sins Committed unwillingly

The essence of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 5 to 28 is that in this world, all the actions cannot be relinquished.

• The rejected actions (theft, adultery, consumption of alcohol, smoking tobacco, meat etc., reproach, lie, untouchability, harsh words) are worthy of being relinquished.
• The actions which are performed for rearing the children can not be given up. In doing so, e.g. farming – in that also living beings are killed; to cook food – minute creatures get burnt in that too; to walk – in that also living beings are killed etc.; However its solution is to acquire a Complete Guru after which one does not incur sins for deeds done unwillingly.

Ichchha kar marae nahin, bin ichchha mar jaay |
Kahae Kabir taas ka, paap nahin lagaay ||

For example, if a driver holding valid license causes an accident, then he is not generally guilty because he is a qualified driver. The accident may have occurred for a reason rather than negligence. On the contrary, if a person is driving a vehicle without possessing a driving license and an accident occurs, then he is fully at fault. Similarly one who has taken naam-updesh (initiation), will not perform any disdained action. If they kill a living being in ignorance or by mistake unwillingly, they are not guilty.

• If yagya, charity etc auspicious actions are performed without any desire for fruits, then they destroy some of the sins of the worshipper. Therefore the five yagyas should definitely be performed as ordained. These are not worthy of being relinquished. 

Description of actions based on Gunas (qualities) and Nature | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Further in chapter 18, the types of actions have been described.

• Satvik – The actions performed naturally for the welfare of others are Satvik. Like, if flood hits an area, efforts for that are Satvik actions. If someone meets with an accident, to offer help to them is Satvik and beneficial.
• Rajas actions – for example, if a dog comes at your door. You first offered him food, and then hit it with a stick. This is a Rajasi action.
• Tamas action – a dog comes at someone’s door, he did not even offer it any food but hit with a stick. If someone’s animal, a buffalo or a camel or a cow or an ox behaves mischievously, to hit them repeatedly with a stick while being tied i.e. to beat mercilessly; to give excessive punishment to children on a small fault; to not return someone’s money after borrowing; if he comes to ask for it, then to abuse him and behave badly with him; when in need be soft spoken, and when purpose is accomplished to frown; this is Tamas action which is more harmful.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 29 to 45

In these verses God has described the nature of human beings’ instincts on the basis of gunas. That is

• How is the natural action of a person dominated with Satogun?
• How is the action of a Rajogun-dominated person?
• How is the action of a Tamogun-dominated person?

Besides, God has given information about the actions of all the four varnas / castes

• Kshatriya
• Vaishya
• Brahmin
• Shudra

The gist of these chapter 18 verses is that even if one acquires this knowledge then also there is no salvation. God is also saying this clearly that –

• all the living beings are performing actions out of their nature. It is useless to advise them.

Therefore those wise beings who want to attain God, for them Kaal God is giving a detailed account in the following Verses.

In Verse 45, God is saying that now hear about the way men, who are devoted to their own auspicious acts, attain the fruits (based on whatever act of bhakti they are doing). Hear about the actions, by doing which, one attains supreme spiritual success / siddhi (attains God) i.e. based on his own acts of bhakti, whatever bhakti he does, attains accomplishment accordingly. Hear about the acts of bhakti by which one attains supreme siddhi (attainment of Supreme God).

Evidence of going in Supreme God's refuge | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Gita 18.46

In 18.46, it is made clear that if a person wants to become completely free from birth and death, he should go into the refuge of that Supreme God (Purna Brahm, Param Akshar Brahm i.e. NiHakshar ) and taking naam (initiation) from a Complete Guru should do worship throughout his life. And a devotee, who does worship of Supreme God with (ananya mann) undivided attention (the meaning of undivided attention is - chiefly of only one Supreme God), he, while doing recitation of Satnaam of the same God in his final moments, endowed with the 'abhyas yog', leaving the body, goes to Him alone and becomes completely free from the cycle of birth and death.

Seeing the False Dazzle of Others’ Inferior Worship, One Should not Give Up One’s Correct Way of Worship

Gita 18.47

In Gita 18.47, it is stated that compared to others’ worship, which appears to be properly organised, is dazzling, but is contrary to scriptures and devoid of qualities, one’s scripture-based acts of worship are superior. One does not incur any sin while doing it (while doing those virtuous acts of worship).

The Actions which are not to be relinquished | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Verse 48 - 58

Gita 18.48 — Even if the good deeds like, yagya, charity, sumiran are faulty (because in every yagya minute creatures are burnt; in charity when prasaad is cooked, creatures are killed in fire. For charity, flour is the main thing. In production of wheat, millet, paddy, living beings are killed), they should not be relinquished because like the smoke in fire all the actions are faulty. (Like, consider good actions to be a piece of dry wood and gas, and evil acts to be a wet piece of wood in which there is more smoke.)

Gita 18.49 — (soul’s) victory over evil habits with a mind diverted completely (sarvatr) from vices (asakt buddhiH) equipped with evil actions (Sannyaasen), away from the race for worldly enjoyments (vigatsprh), after destruction of all the sins, the complete salvation i.e. spiritual success is achieved. After attaining that eternal salvation, one becomes happy forever.

On Acquiring Complete Knowledge, the Worshippers, Who are Acquainted with My Capability (Power), by Doing Worship According to the Scriptures / Opinion Become Completely Liberated

Gita 18.50 — The accomplishment which he attains, which is the highest accomplishment of the knowledge of Brahm, oh Son of Kunti, hear about its attainment from me in brief.

Gita 18.54 — It is said that a happy soul who is similar to God in character neither worries nor desires, with equanimity towards all the living beings by doing (Matavlambi) scripture-based worship attains the supreme knowledge (acquires the most superior view of worship i.e. he gets the right path of worship.)

In Gita 18.55, it is said that through this opinion of worship he understands me in essence, the way I am and whatever I am {which means, only Kaal form is Kshar (perishable) God and there are two other Gods above him – Akshar Purush (ParBrahm) and another Supreme God, Param Akshar Brahm i.e. Purna Brahm (NiHakshar), who is the Master of the lineage, and who entering into the three loks, sustains and maintains everyone, as is clearly mentioned in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1 to 6 and 16 to 18.} consequently, becoming completely familiar with my power (capability) and action – the essence of this is that the view that the Supreme God is someone else and by doing His bhakti with undeviating mind and by the natural good deeds (worship of Satnaam and Saarnaam), one can escape from Kaal’s trap. Then, he has no birth and death. Knowing this he soon enters into that opinion (view) i.e. makes his mind to attain the Supreme God. 

The meaning of Gita 18 Verse 56 is that fully relying on that opinion (that the Supreme God is someone else; one should only do His worship with undeviating mind, by which one goes to that abode (Satlok), having gone where a worshipper does not attain birth and death again.), always performing all the auspicious deeds i.e. by following the path of worship directed by Guruji, by the grace of that opinion (Mat’ Prasaadaat’) attains the Primeval Eternal State i.e. the state permanently devoid of birth-death i.e. attains the eternal salvation.

The definition of ‘Mat’ (opinion) is clearly given in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Verse 1 and 2. In this, it has been mentioned that the body is Kshetr and he who knows it in essence is Kshetragya i.e. is learned. The knower of Kshetr (body) is a Pandit (kshetragya).

Kaal says that this body is Kshetr and I am Kshetragya. He who comes to know the body (Kshetr) and the Kshetragya (me) in essence, he is very well informed. This is my Mat (opinion/view). Likewise, it is said that ‘Santmat Satsang’, which means exposition based on the views expressed by the saints. Then further in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Verse 12 to 18, there is a clear description that he who comes to know that worthy of being known Parmatm tatv, who is omnipresent and who sustains everyone, is farthest to farther (in Satlok, at a distance of 16 sankh kos from the Nether world); like, the sun even when present in the sky is visible in eyes and its warmth is also felt, similarly, even when residing in Satlok, the one who resides nearest to near in everyone’s heart is that same Purna Parmatma (Param Akshar Brahm), he acquires the (mad’bhavay) matavlambi (the nature of following these views) i.e. gets dyed with the same colour. He is then not attracted to the benefits given by Brahm and the gods-goddesses. Like, on acquiring a big reservoir of water (pond), the faith in the smaller pond automatically lessens (Gita 2.46). In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 from 19 to the last Verse 34, the opinion (view) regarding knowing that same Parmatma has been given correctly by Kaal God.

In Chapter 18 Verses 57, 58, God is saying that relinquishing all the actions by mind, and taking shelter of the method / prescription (Yog) of knowledge, based on my opinion constantly focus your mind on my views / thoughts. If you will not listen to them carefully with your mind focussed on me, then you will become destroyed.

God Braham (Kaal) telling the actual knowledge of the Supreme God to Arjuna | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Verse 59 - 63

Then in Gita 18 Verse 59, 60, God is saying that Arjun, controlling the mind and senses, becoming free from love-hatred, perform action. You, out of self-conceit, are saying, “I will not fight.” Even to not fight is also not in your hands. You, overpowered by your nature (because of being a Kshatriya) will also definitely fight.

When Arjun becomes very distressed and thinks, what is this? Die and kill! Then Kaal in order to console him in between tells the truth.

In Verse 61, 62, God has said that, that Eternal God (Purna Brahm), who is situated in the heart of all the living beings, cause all the living beings to wander in the body-like machine on the basis of their actions, by His power. O Arjun, take refuge in that Supreme God in every respect. By the grace of that Supreme God (Purna Brahm) you will attain supreme peace i.e. will become completely liberated from birth and death, and will go to the Eternal Supreme Abode (the Supreme Lok, Satlok).

In Verse 63, God is saying that I have imparted this most confidential of the confidential knowledge of Gita to you. You are very dear to me. Now do whatever you like. If you want to remain in my refuge then abandoning the worship of the lower gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu, Tamgun-Shiv Ji and other gods) do my worship with undeviating mind by the recitation of ‘Om’’ mantra (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 12 to 15, Gita 8.13). But my worship is also inferior / bad (The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 18). Therefore, if you have to go in the refuge of that Supreme God, then find a Tattavdarshi Saint. I do not know the method of doing worship of that Supreme God (Gita 4.34).

Brahm’s (Kaal’s) Revered God is Also Supreme God (Purna Brahm) | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Verse 64 - 65

In 18.64, God is saying that now again hear my invaluable words, the most confidential knowledge of all confidential knowledge. Therefore I shall again say these beneficient words to you. In reality, my revered God is also this Supreme God (Purna Brahm) only.

In 18.65 – With one mind and by Matavlambi way of worship, prostrate before me (in form of a Guru) (but remain dependent on me), thus you will attain me only. I truly promise this to you. You are very dear to me.

Brahm’s (Kaal’s) Advice to Arjun to Go in the Refuge of One Purna Brahm | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 verse 66

In 18.66, God (Kaal) is saying that you relinquishing all my religious practices in me, go in the refuge of one Purna Brahm. I will liberate you from all the sins. Do not worry.

Important Reality – Essence of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

The meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 61 to 66 is that Kaal (Brahm / Kshar Purush) is saying that the Supreme God (the other Purushottam / Eternal God – Param Akshar Brahm), who is situated in the hearts of all the living beings, He only causes the living beings to wander like a machine based on their deeds i.e. based on their actions, causes them to revolve in heaven – hell – birth – death and in the 84 lakh births of various life forms. A person, who is not in the refuge of that Supreme God (Purna Brahm / SatPurush), and worships Kshar Purush (Brahm / Kaal), the three gunas (Rajgun-Brahma, Satgun-Vishnu and Tamgun-Shiv) and the gods-goddesses, or does not worship at all, whatever deeds he does, based on them, that omnipresent God (SatPurush) only gives the fruits. For example, devotee Prahlada was a worshipper of Vishnu, so for his protection, that Supreme God only came in Narsinh form, killed Hiranyakashipu and later, showing Vishnu form satisfied devotee Prahlada. Of whoever a devotee is a worshipper, that Supreme God only protects that devotee, and to maintain the faith of that devotee, He comes acquiring the form of his deity. Those who do worship or who do not, Dharmraj keeps the account of all of them. On the basis of the deeds, he gives them fruits as directed by the Supreme God.

He who goes in the refuge of that Supreme God (Purna Brahm) by means of a Purna Guru, that devotee (yogi) is relieved from birth-death and the births of 84 lakh life forms and goes to Satlok (the true lok, Sachchkhand, the Eternal Place) and becomes completely liberated.

God Kaal (Kshar Purush) can also give some temporary liberation (relief). For that Kshar Brahm says that abandoning the worship of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv and gods goddesses, by doing unadulterous (with undeviated mind) worship of only me (Brahm) after making a guru, you will attain me (Kaal). Then he will grant the fourth liberation (will place one in Great Heaven in Brahmlok) to that worshipper. Then on finishing his earnings (merits) he will come to an end at the time of Kaal’s (Kshar Brahm) mahapralay (Great Destruction), and then when Kaal (Kshar Purush) will do the creation, in that those worshippers with fourth salvation will certainly go to birth-death and in the births of 84 lakh life forms. Because it is the constitution of Kshar Brahm that whatever action a living being will perform, he will have to experience the results of all those (good and bad) actions. This is a hard and fast rule (opinion). For good actions, heaven and great heaven; for bad actions, hell, and for mixture of good and bad deeds, 84 lakh births of various life forms. This is the result of the worship of Kaal (Kshar Brahm) God. Therefore Kaal (Kshar Purush) has clearly said in Gita 7.18 that those who are striving to attain God those human beings, noble souls, are completely knowledgeable (are knower of my scriptures), but they are properly fixed in my (Kaal’s) anuttam (bad/inferior) gati (salvation) only i.e. because of not being aware of attaining that Supreme God, they are fully dependent on me (Kaal) only. Because of which they remain deprived of the complete peace (complete salvation). Therefore Kshar Brahm (Kaal) is clearly saying in 18.62 that go in the refuge of that Supreme God, as a result of which you will attain supreme peace (complete salvation) and the eternal place (Satlok). Then, in Gita 18.63 to 66, he says that Arjun, now you decide whether you want to come in my refuge or want to go in the refuge of that Supreme God. I have imparted this knowledge, the most confidential of all secrets, of that God to you, and listen to my most confidential invaluable words; you are very dear to me. Therefore I am telling you that you go in the refuge of that One (Purna Brahm) Supreme God. He only (Purna Brahm only) is my revered God (deity). If you want to remain in my refuge then you will attain me i.e. will go to Great Heaven; I truly promise this to you. If you will remain in my refuge then you will certainly have to fight. Here, there will be constant struggle. Attaining me will also be possible only when you will do worship according to my rules (opinion). If you will simultaneously keep worshipping Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv, gods-goddesses, pitras and ghosts, then also you will not attain me because this is adulterous worship, which is not based on one God. Further, in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 66, Kaal has said that if you want to obtain benefits from that Supreme God, then relinquishing all my religious practices in me, go in the refuge of that One Supreme God (Purna Brahm). Then I will liberate you from all the sins. You do not worry.

Arjuna remained in the refuge of God Brahm (Kaal), even then did not get liberated from sins | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Important: – In Gita 18.73, Arjun says that I will remain in your refuge only i.e. will act according to your orders. I will fight. Therefore Kaal God could not liberate Arjun from sins because that ignorant / foolish Arjun remained in Kaal’s refuge.

But what could poor Arjun do? First of all, Kaal scared him so much that he started trembling, and then Kaal God did not describe the path of attaining that Supreme God. He told Arjun about Om’ mantra and performance of yagyas, which is not for attaining that Supreme God, rather, is for remaining in Kaal’s trap only. Therefore, Arjun did not get liberated from sins.

Arjuna did not get liberated from sins | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

There is evidence that after being victorious in the battle of Mahabharata, King Yudhishthira started getting nightmares. Then God Krishna advised them to perform a yagya. He said, “Your sins committed in the battle are distressing you.” Whereas Arjun used to regard him as the unborn-eternal and the great god of all the living beings. For evidence, refer to The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Verse 12 to 14. Because Arjun had seen his Kaal (Viraat) form with his own eyes. It is not at all possible for Arjun to not consider Kaal (Brahm) to be the Great God of all the living beings, the unborn and the eternal.

Then God Krishna himself in order to end the sins committed in the battle had advised Pandavas to go to Himalaya and practice penance unto the last breath and end their life there to get rid of sins committed in the battle. As a result the bodies of the four Pandavs became numb in the snow of the Himalayas and were destroyed, and also of Draupadi and Kunti. Yudhishthir’s only toe decayed. This happended because Yudhishthira had lied that Ashwatthama (son of Dronacharya) died whereas Ashwatthama had not died. God Krishna had made him tell that lie. Then the four Pandavs (Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahdev), Draupadi and Kunti etc were also put in hell; its evidence is in Mahabharata Page no. 1683, and even Yudhishthir was deceitfully put in hell for some time.

Then who can be free from sins? The readers may please contemplate and taking naam from the representative Complete Saint of Supreme God Kabir get liberated from Kaal’s lok.

As is clear in 18.64 and Gita 15.4 and Gita 8.21 that God (Brahm) is himself saying that O Arjun, my venerable God (deity) is also that Supreme God (Purna Brahm) only and I (Kaal) am also in His refuge and that eternal place (Satlok) is also my (Kaal’s) actual residence (place) i.e. my supreme abode is also that only. Because Brahm (Kaal Purush) has also been expelled from there (Satlok) only.

Those who listen and also who deliver the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita are in Kaal's web | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18

Gita 18 Verse 67 to 73

In Gita Chapter 18 Verse 67 to 71, it is written that Arjun, my this knowledge of Bhagavad Gita should not be told to who lacks devotion and even he who instructs this knowledge to those devotees who listen with devotion will come to me (will enter Kaal’s mouth) only. Because I (Kaal) only will be their revered God (deity). Because by reading religious scriptures and books (granth), yagya of knowledge is performed. After experiencing its fruit in heaven for some time, the cycle of 84 lakh births and hell will always be maintained.

In Gita 18.72, Kaal God is saying, have you heard this The Bhagavad Gita with one-pointed attention? Oh Dhananjay! Has your attachment, born of ignorance, been destroyed? It means that Arjun, have you acquired the knowledge and has your attachment from this world moved away or not? What have you understood i.e what have you decided?

In Gita 18.73, Arjun is saying that, by your grace, my attachment has become destroyed, and I have become enlightened. I stand free from doubts and I will do whatever you say. Arjun (helpless and seeing no other way out, thought that in any case , I have to die; if I will not fight, then this Kaal will kill me. If he will display that form once again then I will instantly die of fear. It is also possible that we might win the battle, then atleast we will rule the kingdom) said, “God, I have understood. I am in your refuge, and I will carry out your orders i.e. I will fight.”

Here one thing has to be particularly thought that Arjun is saying that I am in your refuge. I will do whatever you say. Kaal God is saying in Gita 18.65 that you remain in my refuge. Respectfully prostrate before me. Have your mind focussed in me then you will attain me. I truly promise you. You do not worry. Then there is evidence in Mahabharat that the five Pandavs were put in hell; Yudhishthirs for a short period of time. When Yudhishthir donated his merits, then other pandavas were released from hell. Then what happened to the words, God had said in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 65?

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 74 to 78

In Gita Chapter 18 Verse 74 to 78, Sanjay is giving Dhritarashtra a heart attack, he is saying that whosoever’s side is Shri Krishna, they (Pandavs) undoubtedly be victorious. He placed a mountain on Dhritarashtra’s chest in advance. How anxious Dhritarashtra must have been on hearing The Bhagavad Gita, let alone being peaceful because Shri Krishna was on Pandav’s side and consequently, Dhritarashtra‘s sons defeat was certain.

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