At the start of the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna faced a crippling ethical dilemma: Should he work or should he renounce work? 

Krishna explains that neither work nor renunciation of work are monolithic categories, though they seem so when analyzed based on one’s external actions. But when analyzed based on one’s internal consciousness, these two categories need to be classified further into four. Let’s see how. 

Working selfishly: When one works for one’s self-centered desires, as Duryodhana was while scheming for the Kuru kingdom, one gets karmically entangled (03.16). Arjuna was equating all work with selfish work (01.38-39). 

Renouncing artificially: When one is unable to succeed in the world, one may get frustrated and adopt the renounced order. Because one has given up worldly duties without having become free from worldly desires, one’s renunciation is at best superficial and unproductive (18.08) — or at worst hypocritical and counterproductive (03.06).    

Renouncing naturally: When one learns to see everything in the world equally, being neither attached nor averse (06.07-09), one single-mindedly seeks spiritual growth (06.10). In that state of consciousness, one is ready to renounce the world and thereby grow spiritually. Arjuna was equating all renunciation with such natural renunciation. 

Working selflessly: When one works in a mood of service and sacrifice (03.09), for a higher cause than one’s personal gains, then one is not karmically implicated. The highest such cause is harmonizing with the Lord because he knows what is best for everyone and wants the best for everyone — he is everyone’s supreme benefactor (05.29). This is the level at which Arjuna chooses to act after hearing the full Gita (18.73). 

One-sentence summary:

Whereas Arjuna thinks that his choices are only two — work or renunciation — Krishna explains how Arjuna’s choices are four: working selfishly, renouncing artificially, renouncing naturally and working selflessly. 

Think it over: 

  • What was the wrong basis of Arjuna’s understanding of his choices? 
  • What are the two categories within renunciation?
  • What are the two categories within work? 

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18.73: Arjuna said: My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.

How Krishna expands Arjuna’s understanding of his choices

To know more about this verse, please click on the image