Chapter 5 of 18
Path of Renunciation
The fifth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is Karma Sanyasa Yoga. In this chapter, Krishna compares the paths of renunciation in actions (Karma Sanyas) and actions with detachment (Karma Yoga) and explains that both are means to reach the same goal and we can choose either. A wise person should perform his/her worldly duties without attachment to the fruits of his/her actions and dedicate them to God. This way they remain unaffected by sin and eventually attain liberation.
29 of 29 verses available
अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि | यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम् ||५-१||
Arjuna is confused because Krishna seems to praise two different paths: giving up worldly actions and performing one’s duties with inner detachment. He asks plainly which path is truly better, seeking clear guidance rather than remaining stuck between two choices.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ | तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ||५-२||
Krishna says that both giving up worldly action and doing one’s duty without attachment can lead to spiritual freedom. But for most people, Karma Yoga is the better path: stay engaged in your responsibilities, do your work sincerely, and let go of the anxiety and ego tied to the results.
ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति | निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते ||५-३||
A true renunciate is not someone who simply gives up work or worldly life. It is the person who does not live in hatred of what they dislike or restless craving for what they want. When we rise above these constant likes and dislikes, gains and losses, we gradually become free from the inner bondage that keeps us disturbed.
साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः | एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम् ||५-४||
Only the immature see the path of inner wisdom and the path of selfless action as completely separate. When you sincerely follow either one in the right spirit, you move toward the same truth: freedom from ego and closeness to the Divine.
यत्साङ्ख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते | एकं साङ्ख्यं च योगं च यः पश्यति स पश्यति ||५-५||
Whether one reaches inner freedom through deep understanding and reflection or through selfless action, the destination is the same. Real wisdom is to see that sincere knowledge and detached action are not opposing paths; both can lead us closer to God when practised with the right spirit.
संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो दुःखमाप्तुमयोगतः | योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म नचिरेणाधिगच्छति ||५-६||
Krishna says that simply giving up work or worldly responsibilities is not easy unless the mind has first been trained through Yoga. When a person performs their duties with inner balance, self-control, and without clinging to results, they steadily grow closer to Brahman—the highest spiritual reality.
योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः | सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ||५-७||
A person who works with a steady, disciplined mind and self-control is not trapped by their actions. When they see the same divine Self present in every being, they can fulfil their responsibilities without selfishness, pride, or inner burden.
नैव किञ्चित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित् | पश्यञ्शृण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपञ्श्वसन् ||५-८||
A person established in inner awareness does not feel, “I alone am making everything happen.” Even while seeing, hearing, eating, walking, sleeping, and breathing, they recognise that the body and senses are carrying out their natural functions. This freedom from the ego of being the sole doer brings calmness and detachment in daily life.
प्रलपन्विसृजन्गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन्निमिषन्नपि | इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेषु वर्तन्त इति धारयन् ||५-९||
A person rooted in inner awareness understands that even ordinary acts—speaking, taking, giving, opening or closing the eyes—are simply the senses engaging with the world. This perspective loosens the ego’s claim of “I am doing everything” and helps one act without becoming inwardly trapped by action.
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः | लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ||५-१०||
When you do your work as an offering to the Divine, rather than as something to feed your ego or secure a particular result, you can stay inwardly free. Like a lotus leaf that rests on water without becoming wet, you can move through responsibilities and difficult situations without being weighed down by their negativity.
कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि | योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वात्मशुद्धये ||५-११||
A yogi does not run away from work; they do it with body, mind, intelligence, and senses, but without clinging to rewards or personal credit. Working in this spirit gradually cleanses the heart of selfishness, ego, and restless desires.
युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् | अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते ||५-१२||
When you do your work sincerely but stop clinging to a particular result, your mind becomes steady and peaceful. But when desire makes the outcome everything—success, praise, gain, or control—you become trapped in worry and disappointment. Focus on your effort, and let go of the need to possess the result.
सर्वकर्माणि मनसा संन्यस्यास्ते सुखं वशी | नवद्वारे पुरे देही नैव कुर्वन्न कारयन् ||५-१३||
A self-controlled person learns to let go inwardly of the feeling, “I alone am doing everything.” Living in the body, often described as a city with nine gates, they remain peaceful by recognising that the body and senses carry out their natural functions while the deeper self stays unattached.
न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभुः | न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते ||५-१४||
God does not force us to act, make us the doers, or personally hand out every result of our actions. Our actions and their consequences unfold through nature—our tendencies, habits, and the qualities of the world. This teaching invites us to take responsibility without carrying the ego-driven burden of believing that everything is entirely under our control.
नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभुः | अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तवः ||५-१५||
God does not personally assign anyone’s good fortune, wrongdoing, merit, or blame. The light of wisdom already exists within us, but ignorance covers it; that is why people become confused about who they are and lose their way in life.
ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः | तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम् ||५-१६||
When self-knowledge removes the ignorance that clouds our mind, the highest truth becomes clear—just as the sun lights up everything at dawn. We begin to see beyond ego, confusion, and temporary ups and downs, recognising the divine reality within and around us.
तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणाः | गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषाः ||५-१७||
When a person turns their mind, identity, and deepest aim toward the Divine, wisdom gradually clears away the inner stains of ignorance and selfishness. Rooted in this awareness, they move beyond the repeated cycle of suffering and bondage and attain lasting freedom.
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि | शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ||५-१८||
A truly wise person sees the same divine reality in every being—whether someone is learned and respected, an animal, or a person society looks down upon. This does not deny visible differences; it means refusing to let status, birth, appearance, or social labels decide another being’s worth.
इहैव तैर्जितः सर्गो येषां साम्ये स्थितं मनः | निर्दोषं हि समं ब्रह्म तस्माद् ब्रह्मणि ते स्थिताः ||५-१९||
A person whose mind remains steady and equal toward all beings rises above the divisions and repeated struggles of worldly life even while living in this world. Brahman, the ultimate reality, is pure and impartial; by cultivating this same equal vision, one becomes established in that divine truth.
न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् | स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणि स्थितः ||५-२०||
A person rooted in inner wisdom does not get carried away by success, praise, or pleasant experiences, nor fall apart when things go wrong. They understand that life’s gains and losses keep changing, so they remain steady and connected to a deeper inner peace.
बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् | स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ||५-२१||
When we stop depending entirely on pleasures, praise, and comforts from the outside world, we begin to discover a deeper happiness within ourselves. A person who stays connected to the Divine finds a lasting peace that changing circumstances cannot take away.
ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते | आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ||५-२२||
Pleasures that depend on external things—comfort, praise, possessions, or sensory enjoyment—do not last. Because they inevitably change or end, clinging to them can bring disappointment and pain. A wise person enjoys life without becoming dependent on these passing pleasures, and looks for a steadier inner happiness.
शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् | कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः ||५-२३||
Real freedom is not running away from life, but learning to steady yourself while living in it. A person who can pause and withstand the surge of craving or anger before it turns into words and actions is truly disciplined—and finds a deeper, more lasting happiness.
योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः | स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति ||५-२४||
Real freedom begins when your happiness does not depend entirely on praise, possessions, entertainment, or other people’s approval. The yogi finds joy, rest, and guidance within through inner awareness and connection with the Divine; becoming steady in this way, they move toward liberation and oneness with Brahman.
लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः | छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ||५-२५||
True inner freedom comes to those who have cleansed their hearts of harmful tendencies, moved beyond inner conflict, and learned to govern their senses and mind. Such wise people do not live only for themselves; they find joy in working for the well-being of every being.
कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् | अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् ||५-२६||
When desire and anger no longer rule the mind, inner freedom becomes possible. For those who discipline their thoughts and come to know their true Self, peace is not something far away—it surrounds them in every situation.
स्पर्शान्कृत्वा बहिर्बाह्यांश्चक्षुश्चैवान्तरे भ्रुवोः | प्राणापानौ समौ कृत्वा नासाभ्यन्तरचारिणौ ||५-२७||
Krishna describes a simple discipline for turning inward: step back from distracting sense-objects, steady your attention, and make the breath calm and balanced. This practice helps quiet the restless mind and prepares one for deeper inner peace and freedom.
यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायणः | विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो यः सदा मुक्त एव सः ||५-२८||
True freedom is an inner state. A person who steadily disciplines the senses, mind, and intellect, and keeps liberation as the highest aim, rises above the pull of craving, fear, and anger. Such a wise person is free even while living in the world.
भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् | सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति ||५-२९||
Peace comes when we understand that God is the ultimate receiver of every sincere offering and effort, the Lord of the whole universe, and yet a true well-wisher of every living being. When we stop carrying the burden of control and dedicate our actions to Him, the mind becomes calmer and freer from fear and restlessness.
