Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18, Verse 8

दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत्।स कृत्वा राजसं त्यागं नैव त्यागफलं लभेत्।।18.8।।

duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśha-bhayāt tyajet sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet

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Word Meanings

duḥkham—troublesome
iti—as
eva—indeed
yat—which
karma—duties
kāya—bodily
kleśha—discomfort
bhayāt—out of fear
tyajet—giving up
saḥ—they
kṛitvā—having done
rājasam—in the mode of passion
tyāgam—renunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actions
na—never
eva—certainly
tyāga—renunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actions
phalam—result
labhet—attain
•••

Translation

He who abandons action out of fear of bodily trouble (because it is painful), does not obtain the merit of renunciation by performing such Rajasic renunciation.

•••

Commentary

18.8 दुःखम् (it is) painful? इति thus? एव even? यत् which? कर्म action? कायक्लेशभयात् from fear of bodily trouble? त्यजेत् abandons? सः he? कृत्वा performing? राजसम् Rajasic? त्यागम् abandonment? न not? एव even? त्यागफलम् the fruit of abandonment? लभेत् obtains.Commentary Phalam Fruit or reward Moksha or emancipation which is the reward of renunciation of all actions accompanied with wisdom.Determination

and persistence are reired for the performance of religious duties and actions. One may begin action but may relinish it before it is completed on account of some difficulties or physical suffering. What then is Sattvic renunciation The Lord says --

8 of 78 verses