UdyamGita

Mokṣha Sanyāsa Yoga

Chapter 18 - Verse 3,4,5,6

त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिण: |
यज्ञदानतप:कर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे || 3||
निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम |
त्यागो हि पुरुषव्याघ्र त्रिविध: सम्प्रकीर्तित: || 4||
यज्ञदानतप:कर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् |
यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् || 5||
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च |
कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् || 6||

Translation

The wise declare that engaging in desire ridden activities should be
relinquished as they entangle a soul. Others say that one should never
abandon activities such as ritual sacrifice, charity, and penance.

O Superior among the Bharatas! Listen to My ruling on the issue of
relinquishment. O Superior among Men! Relinquishment is of three types.

One should never abandon performing prescribed ritual sacrifices,
austerity, and charity. These help purify a person.

O Partha! One should detach oneself from ego in actions and
perform them without expectations. This is My definite opinion.

Unfiltered First Take

Many times, looking at the hardships, seniors and well wishers may suggest that the entrepreneur quit entrepreneurship and take up a safe and comfortable job. But those who have seen the whole spectrum that entrepreneurship offers recommend that he should not stop his work, even if it demands sacrifices and hard work without immediate benefits.

But there are ways in which these hardships can be managed. Coming out of it is not a solution. In fact, these ups and downs are a part of entrepreneurship, and these hardships help fine tune the business, processes, and products, and also mold the entrepreneur into a fine businessman.

The trick here is that whatever tasks he is doing should be done without attachment and without expectation of particular rewards as per the plan. This helps him take decisions objectively and logically. This also helps him maintain a stable mental state, and there will be no disappointments or heartbreaks. When the mental state is strong, one can deal with any adversities.

UdyamGita Interpretation

Arjun hears conflicting advice—much like a founder surrounded by advisors.

Some voices say, “All action is flawed; step away.” Others insist, “Certain actions must never stop.”

Krishna resolves this confusion decisively. He does not glorify withdrawal, nor does he endorse blind hustle. He clarifies that renunciation is not one-size-fits-all—it has three types, and wisdom lies in choosing the right kind.

Certain actions—sacrifice, charity, and disciplined effort—are not obstacles. They are purifiers, even for the wise. What must be renounced is not the action itself, but attachment and expectation of rewards.

Business Insight

Every entrepreneur hears this at some point:

“Why suffer so much? Quit. Take a safe job. Life will be easier.”

These suggestions often come from genuine concern—but limited perspective. Those who have truly seen the full spectrum of entrepreneurship know this truth:

Hardship is not a signal to stop—it is a signal to refine.

Sacrifice, long hours, delayed rewards, and uncertainty are not flaws in the entrepreneurial path. They are features. They sharpen products, streamline processes, strengthen judgment, and mature the founder.

Quitting does not remove pain—it only postpones growth.

The real solution is not escape, but a different inner operating system.

Leadership Lesson

Krishna’s prescription is strikingly practical:

Continue the work—but remove attachment to outcomes.

When leaders obsess over specific results as per plan, they lose objectivity. Decisions become emotional. Failures feel personal. Stress compounds.

But when work is done without clinging to rewards:

Decisions become logical, not reactive
Feedback is processed without defensiveness
Mental stability replaces emotional turbulence

A strong mental state is the founder’s greatest asset. From that strength, any adversity becomes manageable.

This is not detachment from responsibility—it is detachment from fragile expectations.

Key Takeaways

Not all actions should be renounced—some must be continued despite hardship
Entrepreneurial sacrifices are purifying, not punishing
Ups and downs are not signs of failure; they are tools of refinement
Attachment to specific outcomes clouds judgment
Strong mental detachment creates resilient, objective leaders

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