Gita Bhashya -Sankara 708

Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya

(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)

CHAPTER -18

Prev.png

I desire to know, understand, severally, as differentiated from each other, O mighty-armed, the truth, the essential nature, samnyāsa, of that which is connoted by the term 'samnyasa', as also of tyāga, of that which is connoted by the term 'tyāga',

O Hrsīkeśa, O slayer of Keśin! I desire to know, understand, severally, as differentiated from each other, O mighty-armed, the truth, the essential nature, of samnyāsa, of that which is connoted by the term 'samnyasa', as also of tyāga, of that which is connoted by the term 'tyāga', O Hrsikeśa, O slayer of Keśin! Keśin was an asura in the dis­ guise of a horse. He was slain by the Lord, Vasudeva[1]; and the Lord is accordingly addressed by Arjuna by the appellation, 'slayer of Keśin'.

The words 'samnyasa' and 'tyaga' have been mentioned here and there in the preceding chapters; but their connotations have not been ascertained[2]. Therefore, with a view to conclusively defining them, the Lord addresses Arjuna, who enquired (about the matter).

Next.png

References and Context

  1. Vide V.P. V. 26.
  2. Clearly distinguishing their signification. (Ā)