Shloka 2
भीष्मविक्रमदर्शनं तथा क्रौञ्चारुणव्यूहविधानम् | Bhīṣma’s Ascendancy and the Organization of the Krauñcāruṇa Formation
श्रीभगवानुवाच काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संनन््यासं कवयो विदु: । सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणा:
śrībhagavān uvāca kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ saṁnyāsaṁ kavayo viduḥ | sarvakarmaphalatyāgaṁ prāhus tyāgaṁ vicakṣaṇāḥ ||
The Blessed Lord said: The wise understand renunciation (saṁnyāsa) as the laying aside of actions undertaken for personal desire. But the discerning declare true relinquishment (tyāga) to be the abandonment of the fruits of all actions. In ethical terms, the teaching shifts the focus from merely stopping certain deeds to purifying intention—acting as duty requires while releasing possessiveness over outcomes.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Two related ideals are distinguished: (1) saṁnyāsa—renunciation understood as giving up desire-driven (kāmya) actions; and (2) tyāga—true relinquishment understood as giving up attachment to the fruits of all actions. The ethical emphasis is on performing rightful duty without egoistic claim over outcomes.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s instruction setting, Krishna continues teaching Arjuna amid the impending battle, clarifying what ‘renunciation’ really means for one who must act. Rather than advocating mere withdrawal, he frames the disciplined inner stance—detachment from results—as the practical path while fulfilling one’s dharma.