In Bhagavad Gita 18.10, Krishna says the wise relinquisher, filled with sattva and free from doubt, neither hates unpleasant work nor clings to pleasant work.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म
कुशले नानुषज्जते
त्यागी सत्त्वसमाविष्टो
मेधावी छिन्नसंशयः ॥ १८-१० ॥
na dveṣṭyakuśalaṃ karma
kuśale nānuṣajjate
tyāgī sattvasamāviṣṭo
medhāvī chinnasaṃśayaḥ
English transliteration na dveshtyakushalam karma
kushale naanushajjate
tyaagee sattvasamaavishto
medhaavee chhinnasamshayah ॥ 18.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The wise relinquisher, pervaded by sattva, whose doubts are dispelled, does not hate disagreeable action nor cling to agreeable action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| द्वेष्टि dveṣṭi | hates |
| अकुशलम् akuśalam | disagreeable |
| कर्म karma | action |
| कुशले kuśale | to agreeable |
| न na | not |
| अनुषज्जते anuṣajjate | clings |
| त्यागी tyāgī | the relinquisher |
| सत्त्वसमाविष्टः sattvasamāviṣṭaḥ | pervaded by sattva sattva (sattva) + samāviṣṭaḥ (pervaded) |
| मेधावी medhāvī | wise |
| छिन्नसंशयः chinnasaṃśayaḥ | whose doubts are dispelled chinna (cut) + saṃśayaḥ (doubts) |
Word-wise Chanting
- na dveṣ–ṭya–ku–śa–laṃ kar–ma 8 syllables na dvesh-tya-ku-sha-lam kar-ma
- ku–śa–le nā–nu–ṣaj–ja–te | 8 syllables ku-sha-le naa-nu-shaj-ja-te
- tyā–gī sat–tva–sa–mā–viṣ–ṭo 8 syllables tyaa-gee sat-tva-sa-maa-vish-to
- me–dhā–vī chin–na–saṃ–śa–yaḥ || 18-10 8 syllables me-dhaa-vee chhin-na-sam-sha-yah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 10
Context
Krishna describes the true relinquisher (18.10–18.12).
Meaning
The tyāgī does not dveṣṭi, dislike, unpleasant work, nor anuṣajjate, cling to pleasant work. Filled with sattva, wise and free of doubt, they do whatever is needed with equal willingness.
Freedom from likes and dislikes in work is a sign of inner maturity. Every task becomes an offering.
In Practice
Do one task you dislike today with the same willingness as one you enjoy.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.