Chapter 18 - Verse 2

A few sages understand by ‘samnyasa’ the abandonment of kamya-karmani, of works (such as the Asvamedha, Horse-sacrifice) accompanied with a desire for fruits. The learned declare that ‘tyaga’ means abandonment of the fruits of all the works that are performed,—nitya and naimittika, ordinary and extra-ordinary duties,—i.e., of the fruits that may accrue to the performer.

The abandonment of interested works and the abandonment of fruits (of works) being intended to be expressed (by the two words) the meaning of the words ‘samnyasa’ and ‘tyaga’ is in any way one and the same so far as the general idea is concerned, namely, abandonment. They are not quite so distinct in meaning as the words ‘jar’ and ‘cloth’*.

To explain the two words as meaning two altogether distinct things would be in contravention to the accepted usage. As explained here, the two words convey the same general idea with some distinction. —A.

(Objection) :—The nitya and naimittika works ordinary and exta-ordinary duties, are said to produce no fruits. How is it that the abandoning of their fruits is here spoken of? It is like speaking of the abandoning of a barren woman’s son.

(Answer) :—No such objection may be raised here, since, in the opinion of the Lord, ordinary and occasional duties produce their own fruits, as He will show in xviii. 12, where, indeed, while teaching that samnyasins alone (those alone who have renounced all desire for the fruits of works) have no connection whatever with those fruits, the Lord teaches also that those who are not samnyasins will have to reap the fruits of the ordinary works which they are bound to perform.