Chapter 18 • Verse 7
नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते। मोहात्तस्य परित्यागस्तामसः परिकीर्तितः॥
niyatasya tu sannyāsaḥ karmaṇo nopapadyate mohāt tasya parityāgas tāmasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
Meaning
Renunciation of obligatory duties is not proper. The abandonment of such duties through delusion is declared to be tamasic.
It's wrong to abandon prescribed duties. Giving up obligations through confusion or laziness is tamasic renunciation — the worst kind. Duty cannot be escaped through misunderstanding.
Strength Reflection
"I never abandon my duties through confusion or laziness."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, protect me from tamasic renunciation that abandons essential duties.