Liberation Through Renunciation — Moksha Upadesha Yoga
Chapter 18 of Bhagavad Gita by Vyasa
Arjuna said: I fain would learn, O mighty-armed! the truth Of Sannyasa, great Hrishikesa! and Of Tyaga, Keshava! and what divides The one from the other, Slayer of Keshi!
Krishna said: The poets teach that Sannyasa is the giving Up of all acts which spring from desire; The wise define Tyaga, Renouncement, as Foregoing fruit of every act. Some hold All action is defect, and should be left; Others that acts of sacrifice and gift And penance must not cease. Now hear from Me The truth of Renouncement, O best of men! Three-fold it is, O tiger of the breed Of Bharata!
Worship, gift, and penance — these Should never be abandoned; they must still Be wrought; for sacrifice, gift, and self-torment Are purifiers of the wise. Yet even these Should be performed surrendering all attachment And fruit of them. This, O son of Pritha, Is My best and dearest judgment, My last word. Renouncement of a duty is not meet! To shun it through delusion is of Tamas; Who turneth from a task in fear of pain, His renouncement is Rajasic, and wins No merit. He who doeth the appointed work Saying, "It is my duty!" — casting off All fruit — renounceth with the quality Of Sattva, wisely, with no doubt at heart.
