टीका

Commentary

Krishna now describes the second type — renunciation in the mode of passion (rajas). A person who gives up prescribed duties simply because they find them troublesome or fear physical hardship is performing rajasic renunciation. Such abandonment of duty brings no spiritual benefit.

The key characteristic of rajasic renunciation is that it is motivated by self-interest. The person is not seeking truth or liberation — they are seeking comfort. They look at their prescribed duties and think, “This is too hard,” or “This will cause me suffering,” and so they abandon the duty. But the spiritual path was never meant to be easy. Growth requires effort, and purification often involves discomfort.

A person in Krishna consciousness continues their duties even when difficult, because they understand the work is being done as service to the Lord. If someone rises early for spiritual practice but finds it uncomfortable, the rajasic response would be to abandon the practice. But no genuine progress comes from such abandonment.

The fruit of true renunciation is inner freedom, peace, and ultimately liberation. This fruit can only be obtained through sattvic renunciation — performing one’s duty while giving up attachment to results. Rajasic renunciation, being motivated by the desire to avoid pain, never delivers this higher fruit.