Chapter 5 · Path of Renunciation

5.1

अर्जुन उवाच | संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि | यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम् ||५-१||

arjuna uvāca . saṃnyāsaṃ karmaṇāṃ kṛṣṇa punaryogaṃ ca śaṃsasi . yacchreya etayorekaṃ tanme brūhi suniścitam ||5-1||

Arjuna asked Krishna to clarify which path is better for him, since Krishna has spoken highly of both giving up actions and performing them with a sense of yoga, or spiritual awareness, and Arjuna wants a clear answer on which one will bring him the most benefit. Krishna has praised renouncing actions and also performing them, so Arjuna is seeking a definitive answer on which approach is superior. Arjuna wants to know which of these two approaches will lead to his greatest well-being.

5.2

श्रीभगवानुवाच | संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ | तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ||५-२||

śrībhagavānuvāca . saṃnyāsaḥ karmayogaśca niḥśreyasakarāvubhau . tayostu karmasaṃnyāsātkarmayogo viśiṣyate ||5-2||

The path of renouncing actions and the path of performing selfless actions both lead to ultimate freedom and happiness, but Krishna considers the path of selfless action to be more superior.

5.3

ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति | निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते ||५-३||

jñeyaḥ sa nityasaṃnyāsī yo na dveṣṭi na kāṅkṣati . nirdvandvo hi mahābāho sukhaṃ bandhātpramucyate ||5-3||

A person who doesn't hate or crave anything is a true renouncer, Arjuna, and because they're free from all contradictions, they can easily break free from the things that bind them, and find peace.

5.4

साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः | एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम् ||५-४||

sāṅkhyayogau pṛthagbālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ . ekamapyāsthitaḥ samyagubhayorvindate phalam ||5-4||

Only the uninformed think that spiritual knowledge and active service are two separate paths, not those who truly understand. When you fully embrace one of these paths, you'll experience the benefits of both, because in essence, they lead to the same goal.

5.5

यत्साङ्ख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते | एकं साङ्ख्यं च योगं च यः पश्यति स पश्यति ||५-५||

yatsāṅkhyaiḥ prāpyate sthānaṃ tadyogairapi gamyate . ekaṃ sāṅkhyaṃ ca yogaṃ ca yaḥ paśyati sa paśyati ||5-5||

The state that those on the path of knowledge attain is also reached by those on the path of action, and the one who sees these two paths as ultimately the same has true understanding.

5.6

संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो दुःखमाप्तुमयोगतः | योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म नचिरेणाधिगच्छति ||५-६||

saṃnyāsastu mahābāho duḥkhamāptumayogataḥ . yogayukto munirbrahma nacireṇādhigacchati ||5-6||

Renunciation is difficult to achieve without a foundation in yoga, but a sage who has united with yoga can quickly attain a deep understanding of Brahman, the ultimate reality. For Arjuna, this means that simply giving up worldly things is not enough; it's the practice of yoga that makes it possible to truly let go and connect with something greater. By dedicating himself to yoga, a person can reach a profound state of union with the divine.

5.7

योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः | सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ||५-७||

yogayukto viśuddhātmā vijitātmā jitendriyaḥ . sarvabhūtātmabhūtātmā kurvannapi na lipyate ||5-7||

With a heart united in yoga, a person of pure character, self-controlled and master of their senses, sees their own self in all beings and remains untouched by their actions, even while fully engaged in them. They have transcended their ego and realized their true nature as one with all. In this state, their actions no longer bind them.

5.8

नैव किञ्चित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित् | पश्यञ्शृण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपञ्श्वसन् ||५-८||

naiva kiñcitkaromīti yukto manyeta tattvavit . paśyañśruṇvanspṛśañjighrannaśnangacchansvapañśvasan ||5-8||

A person who truly understands reality thinks, "I'm not doing anything," even when they're seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, walking, sleeping, or breathing, because they know the truth that their actions are not their own. They remain aware that their senses and body are just functioning naturally.

5.9

प्रलपन्विसृजन्गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन्निमिषन्नपि | इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेषु वर्तन्त इति धारयन् ||५-९||

pralapanvisṛjangṛhṇannunmiṣannimiṣannapi . indriyāṇīndriyārtheṣu vartanta iti dhārayan ||5-9||

The person who's self-aware knows that their senses are just interacting with the world around them, even when they're engaged in everyday activities like talking, giving, or simply opening and closing their eyes. They remain conscious of the fact that their senses are just doing their thing, exploring the objects of their attention. This awareness stays with them no matter what they're doing.

5.10

ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः | लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ||५-१०||

brahmaṇyādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ . lipyate na sa pāpena padmapatramivāmbhasā ||5-10||

When you perform actions dedicated to a higher purpose, letting go of personal attachment, you won't be affected by wrongdoing, just like a lotus leaf remains untouched by water.

5.11

कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि | योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वात्मशुद्धये ||५-११||

kāyena manasā buddhyā kevalairindriyairapi . yoginaḥ karma kurvanti saṅgaṃ tyaktvātmaśuddhaye ||5-11||

Yogis perform their actions using their body, mind, intellect, and senses, but they do this without attachment, as a way to purify their inner self. They let go of any personal connection to their actions, and instead, use them as a means to cleanse and refine their being. This detachment allows them to act selflessly, with the goal of spiritual growth and self-purification.

5.12

युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् | अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते ||५-१२||

yuktaḥ karmaphalaṃ tyaktvā śāntimāpnoti naiṣṭhikīm . ayuktaḥ kāmakāreṇa phale sakto nibadhyate ||5-12||

When you let go of attachment to the outcome of your actions, you can find lasting peace. But if you're driven by desire and fixated on the rewards, you'll become trapped. Those who are grounded and self-aware can release their need for specific results and discover a deeper sense of calm.

5.13

सर्वकर्माणि मनसा संन्यस्यास्ते सुखं वशी | नवद्वारे पुरे देही नैव कुर्वन्न कारयन् ||५-१३||

sarvakarmāṇi manasā saṃnyasyāste sukhaṃ vaśī . navadvāre pure dehī naiva kurvanna kārayan ||5-13||

By letting go of all actions in their mind, a person in control of themselves can find happiness, living in the body, which is like a city with nine gates, without taking any action themselves or prompting their body and senses to act. They remain at peace, free from the need to do or prompt anything. In this state, they are truly self-controlled and content.

5.14

न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभुः | न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते ||५-१४||

na kartṛtvaṃ na karmāṇi lokasya sṛjati prabhuḥ . na karmaphalasaṃyogaṃ svabhāvastu pravartate ||5-14||

The Lord doesn't create our ability to act or the actions themselves, and doesn't connect us with their results. Instead, it's our inherent nature that drives us to act and brings about consequences.

5.15

नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभुः | अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तवः ||५-१५||

nādatte kasyacitpāpaṃ na caiva sukṛtaṃ vibhuḥ . ajñānenāvṛtaṃ jñānaṃ tena muhyanti jantavaḥ ||5-15||

The all-pervading Lord doesn't take on anyone's wrongdoing or good deeds. Instead, people are misled because their understanding is shrouded by a lack of awareness, which obscures their inner wisdom. This ignorance deludes all living beings.

5.16

ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः | तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम् ||५-१६||

jñānena tu tadajñānaṃ yeṣāṃ nāśitamātmanaḥ . teṣāmādityavajjñānaṃ prakāśayati tatparam ||5-16||

For those who have overcome their own ignorance through self-awareness, knowledge shines brightly like the sun, illuminating the ultimate reality.

5.17

तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणाः | गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषाः ||५-१७||

tadbuddhayastadātmānastanniṣṭhāstatparāyaṇāḥ . gacchantyapunarāvṛttiṃ jñānanirdhūtakalmaṣāḥ ||5-17||

With their minds fully immersed in the divine, their sense of self rooted in it, and their hearts completely dedicated to it, they reach a state from which they never return, their flaws and imperfections washed away by the power of spiritual awareness.

5.18

विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि | शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ||५-१८||

vidyāvinayasampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini . śuni caiva śvapāke ca paṇḍitāḥ samadarśinaḥ ||5-18||

Wise ones like Krishna see everyone and everything with equal vision, whether it's a humble and knowledgeable Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, or even someone considered an outcaste, like a shvapaka. They view all beings as equally important. This equal vision is a hallmark of true wisdom.

5.19

इहैव तैर्जितः सर्गो येषां साम्ये स्थितं मनः | निर्दोषं हि समं ब्रह्म तस्माद् ब्रह्मणि ते स्थिताः ||५-१९||

ihaiva tairjitaḥ sargo yeṣāṃ sāmye sthitaṃ manaḥ . nirdoṣaṃ hi samaṃ brahma tasmād brahmaṇi te sthitāḥ ||5-19||

Those who have a balanced mind, seeing everything as equal, have already overcome the cycle of birth and death in this life, because they see the ultimate reality, Brahman, as flawless and impartial, and they are firmly established in it.

5.20

न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् | स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणि स्थितः ||५-२०||

na prahṛṣyetpriyaṃ prāpya nodvijetprāpya cāpriyam . sthirabuddhirasammūḍho brahmavid brahmaṇi sthitaḥ ||5-20||

With a steady mind and free from confusion, the person who truly understands Brahman remains calm and unchanged, whether they experience something pleasant or unpleasant, and they find their peace in Brahman.

5.21

बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् | स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ||५-२१||

bāhyasparśeṣvasaktātmā vindatyātmani yatsukham . sa brahmayogayuktātmā sukhamakṣayamaśnute ||5-21||

When someone is free from attachment to worldly sensations, they discover a deep happiness within themselves. United with the divine through meditation, they experience unending joy. This inner fulfillment is a boundless and eternal bliss.

5.22

ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते | आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ||५-२२||

ye hi saṃsparśajā bhogā duḥkhayonaya eva te . ādyantavantaḥ kaunteya na teṣu ramate budhaḥ ||5-22||

The pleasures that come from worldly experiences are actually sources of pain, Arjuna, because they are fleeting, having a clear beginning and end, and so the wise person doesn't find joy in them.

5.23

शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् | कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः ||५-२३||

śaknotīhaiva yaḥ soḍhuṃ prākśarīravimokṣaṇāt . kāmakrodhodbhavaṃ vegaṃ sa yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ ||5-23||

One who can endure the intense forces of desire and anger before leaving their body is a person of great self-control, and such a person is truly at peace and happy. They have achieved a state of inner balance and harmony, which is the hallmark of a yogi. This balanced state is what brings them true happiness.

5.24

योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः | स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति ||५-२४||

yo.antaḥsukho.antarārāmastathāntarjyotireva yaḥ . sa yogī brahmanirvāṇaṃ brahmabhūto.adhigacchati ||5-24||

One who finds joy and contentment within, and whose heart is illuminated by an inner light, is a true yogi and achieves a state of complete liberation, becoming one with the ultimate reality.

5.25

लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः | छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ||५-२५||

labhante brahmanirvāṇamṛṣayaḥ kṣīṇakalmaṣāḥ . chinnadvaidhā yatātmānaḥ sarvabhūtahite ratāḥ ||5-25||

Sages who have shed their flaws and overcome inner conflict, and who have disciplined their minds, achieve a state of complete liberation, for they are dedicated to the well-being of all living beings.

5.26

कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् | अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् ||५-२६||

kāmakrodhaviyuktānāṃ yatīnāṃ yatacetasām . abhito brahmanirvāṇaṃ vartate viditātmanām ||5-26||

For those who have let go of desire and anger, and have gained control over their minds, a deep sense of inner peace and liberation is always present, surrounding them on all sides, because they have a clear understanding of their true nature.

5.27

स्पर्शान्कृत्वा बहिर्बाह्यांश्चक्षुश्चैवान्तरे भ्रुवोः | प्राणापानौ समौ कृत्वा नासाभ्यन्तरचारिणौ ||५-२७||

sparśānkṛtvā bahirbāhyāṃścakṣuścaivāntare bhruvoḥ . prāṇāpānau samau kṛtvā nāsābhyantaracāriṇau ||5-27||

Closing off external sensations, Arjuna, focus your gaze inward, between your eyebrows, and balance your breath, feeling it move evenly in and out through your nostrils.

5.28

यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायणः | विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो यः सदा मुक्त एव सः ||५-२८||

yatendriyamanobuddhirmunirmokṣaparāyaṇaḥ . vigatecchābhayakrodho yaḥ sadā mukta eva saḥ ||5-28||

A sage who has controlled their senses, mind, and intellect, and is dedicated to achieving liberation, is completely free from desire, fear, and anger, and is always liberated.

5.29

भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् | सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति ||५-२९||

bhoktāraṃ yajñatapasāṃ sarvalokamaheśvaram . suhṛdaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ jñātvā māṃ śāntimṛcchati ||5-29||

When you understand that I'm the one who receives the offerings of sacrifice and austerity, the supreme ruler of all worlds, and a friend to every living being, you'll find inner peace. I'm the one who accepts and enjoys the efforts of those who strive for spiritual growth, and recognizing this brings a sense of calm and tranquility. By knowing me in this way, you can experience profound peace.