duḥkham ity eva yat karma kāya-kleśha-bhayāt tyajet
sa kṛitvā rājasaṁ tyāgaṁ naiva tyāga-phalaṁ labhet
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
This verse explains that if someone stops doing their important tasks just because they find them difficult or are afraid, they are not truly renouncing anything; they are merely giving in to their fears and desires. For example, suppose someone has a job that requires hard work, and they feel it's too tough or that they might fail. Instead of facing those challenges, they quit, thinking they are doing something noble by giving up. However, this type of decision comes from a place of fear and passion, not from a calm and wise understanding of what needs to be done.
The verse suggests that true renunciation—giving up the desire for rewards from work—doesn't happen when you step away from hard tasks out of fear or discomfort. Instead, it happens when you do your duties without attachment to the fruits of your actions.
To relate this to daily life, think about a student who might skip studying because they feel overwhelmed by the content or fear they won't get high grades. If they give up studying for that reason, they are not really practicing good habits or learning the subject; instead, they are just avoiding challenges out of fear. However, if they approach their studies with determination, even when it's tough, and they keep reminding themselves what they are working towards (like getting a good education), they are engaging in productive work.
In the same way, if someone employed in a job uses their earnings to support a charitable cause or to help spread awareness about Krsna, they should continue their work, even if it feels burdensome. They should not stop simply because it seems difficult or they worry about their motives. The verse teaches that actions taken with this kind of willingness—despite challenges—are more aligned with the true nature of renunciation. These actions lead to a greater sense of purpose and a clearer understanding of one's life and responsibilities, unlike giving up due to fears, which does not bring any spiritual gain or happiness.