Lord Krishna is now promising Arjuna that he will scientifically explain what constitutes Tyaaga and under what headings this spirit of ‘abandonment’ can be considered.

For a mortal mind, GIVING UP is no easy task; acquisition and aggrandisement are the very life-breath of man’s mind. Naturally therefore, Krishna has to invoke the best in Arjuna by addressing him as the “best among Bharatas” (Bharata-Sattama) and as a “tiger among men” (Purusha-Vyaaghra).

“Abandonment” (Tyaaga), for purposes of study and understanding, is three-fold. All through the Geeta this three-fold classification is followed, and everywhere we find that it is classed as the ‘pure’ (Sattwic), the ‘passionate’ (Rajasic) and the ‘dull’ (Tamasic).

WHAT THEN IS THE FINAL DECREE? THE LORD SAYS:

Bharata-sattama, O the most excellent among the descendants of Bharata; srnu, hear, understand; me, from Me, from My statement; niscayam, the firm conclusion; tatra tyage, regarding that tyaga, regarding these alternative veiws on tyaga and sannyasa as they have been shown. Hi, for; purusavyaghra, O greatest among men; tyagah, tyaga; samprakirtitah, has been clearly declared, has been distinctly spoken of in the scriptures; to be trividhah, of three kinds, threefold, under the classes of tamasa (those based on tamas [Tamas: darkness, mental darkness, ignorance; one of the three qualities of everything in Nature. Also see 14.8, and note under 2.45.-Tr.], etc. The Lord has used the word tyaga with the idea that the (primary) meanings of tyaga and sannyasa are verily the same. Since it is difficult to comprehend this idea, that the primary meanings of the words tyaga and sannyasa can be threefold under the classification based on tamas etc. in the case of one who is unenlightened and who is qualified for rites and duties-but not in the case of one who has realized the supreme Goal-,therefore no one else is capable of speaking the truth in this connection. Hence, listen to the firm conclusion of the Lord with regard to the supreme Truth as revealved by the scriptures. Which, again, is this firm conclusion? In reply the Lord says: