Gita 18.7
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते | मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः ||७||
niyatasya tu sannyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate | mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||7||
In essence: Abandoning one's prescribed duties is never justified—renouncing obligatory action from delusion is declared tamasic, the lowest form of tyaga.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "What exactly are 'niyata-karmas'—prescribed duties?"
Guru: "They are actions required by your situation—your natural capacities (svabhava), your life-stage (ashrama), your relationships, your role in society. For Arjuna, fighting in a just war as a kshatriya is niyata-karma. For a parent, nurturing children. For a teacher, educating students. These are not chosen preferences but arising obligations. To recognize them requires clarity, not preference."
Sadhak: "But what if prescribed duties feel oppressive or wrong?"
Guru: "Then examine carefully: Is the feeling from moha (confusion) or viveka (discrimination)? Tamasic resistance says 'I don't feel like it, it's too hard.' Sattvic discrimination might say 'This role has ended' or 'This apparent duty violates a higher dharma.' The distinction is crucial. Moha makes everything seem pointless; viveka sees clearly what is and isn't truly obligatory."
Sadhak: "Isn't the spiritual path about abandoning worldly duties?"
Guru: "A common misunderstanding. True sannyasa may involve changing external duties—a householder becoming a renunciate—but this is not abandoning niyata-karma. The renunciate's niyata-karma simply changes (meditation, teaching, austerity). Abandoning ALL duty from confusion is not sannyasa but spiritual laziness. Each stage has its prescribed duties; wisdom knows what truly applies now."
Sadhak: "How do I know if my renunciation is tamasic?"
Guru: "Check the quality of consciousness. Tamasic tyaga comes with confusion, heaviness, vagueness about why. There's often depression, apathy, or escapism masked as 'detachment.' If abandoning a duty brings dullness rather than clarity, reluctance rather than peace, it's likely tamasic. Sattvic renunciation brings clarity and lightness, even if the action was difficult."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Review your genuine obligations today—not everything on your to-do list, but what is truly niyata (required by your situation, role, nature). Ask: 'Am I facing any of these with tamasic resistance—heaviness, confusion, wanting to escape?' Name the moha if present. Clarity begins with honest recognition.
When impulse to avoid duty arises, pause: 'Is this viveka (wise discrimination) or moha (confused avoidance)?' Moha feels heavy, vague, wants to escape. Viveka feels clear, specific, knows what to do next even if difficult. If moha, do the duty anyway—action clarifies where avoidance maintains fog.
Reflect: 'Where did I avoid prescribed duty today? What was the quality of that avoidance?' No harsh judgment—just seeing. If tamasic patterns are recognized, tomorrow offers opportunity. The recognition itself is sattvic, already lifting you from tamas.