Fifth chapter of Bhagvad Gita (Sanyas Yog) is where Krushna nobly demystifies how both ways – Sanyas and Gruhasth – have same goal but path of selfless devotional action with inner renunciation is better since everything belongs to him and there is nothing is one’s to abandon.
Bhagavad Gita’s chapter 5 holds 29 verses and it is also named Sanyas Yoga. In this chapter, the deep confusion is stated about two different life paths. Tensed Arjun asks Krushna, which path is better? Sanyas (a monk life with the abandonment of everything) or Gruhasth (a common life with every attachment and devotion).
Krushna nobly answers, both the ways have the same goal but a path of selfless devotional action with inner renunciation is better since everything belongs to him and there is nothing is one’s to abandon.
Both the paths if performed properly lead to self-awareness, the divine reality of the universe, and Krushna himself. The one who is self-aware and controlled naturally syncs with the universe’s conscious and stays free and untangled with the karmic consequences and results.
Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita is titled “Sannyasa Yoga” or “The Yoga of Renunciation.” In this chapter, Krishna explains the merits of both the path of renunciation (sannyasa) and the path of selfless action (karma yoga), ultimately highlighting the superiority of performing one’s duties with inner renunciation and devotion. Here is a summary of Chapter 5:
Context:
Arjun is confused about whether to renounce action or to engage in selfless action. Krushna addresses this confusion by elaborating on the principles of both paths and their ultimate goal.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Renunciation vs. Selfless Action:
- Arjun asks Krushna to clarify whether the path of renunciation (sannyasa) or the path of selfless action (karma yoga) is superior.
- Krushna explains that both paths lead to liberation, but the path of selfless action, performed with a spirit of inner renunciation, is more practical and effective for most people.
- Inner Renunciation:
- Krushna emphasizes that true renunciation does not mean abandoning all actions but rather renouncing the attachment to the fruits of actions.
- A true sannyasi is one who performs their duties without attachment and dedicates the results to the divine.
- Equanimity and Detachment:
- The practice of equanimity (samatva) and detachment from the outcomes of actions is crucial in karma yoga.
- By maintaining equanimity in success and failure, pleasure and pain, one remains undisturbed and attains inner peace.
- Self-Realization:
- Krushna highlights that self-realization comes from seeing the self as distinct from the body and understanding one’s true nature as the eternal soul (Atman).
- Such realization leads to a state where the individual transcends the dualities of life and perceives the divine presence in all beings.
- Freedom from Bondage:
- Those who act selflessly, without ego and attachment, attain freedom from the bondage of karma.
- Krushna explains that all actions are ultimately performed by the modes of nature (gunas), and the wise person recognizes this, remaining unattached.
- The Peace of Selfless Action:
- A person who practices karma yoga, dedicating all actions to Krushna and performing them without selfish desires, attains supreme peace.
- Such a person realizes that everything belongs to Krushna, and there is nothing to renounce since they see themselves as instruments of the divine will.
- Conclusion and Assurance:
- Krushna assures Arjuna that those who follow the path of selfless action with devotion, seeing the divine in all beings, will ultimately attain liberation.
- He emphasizes that both paths, when practiced with the right understanding and attitude, lead to the same ultimate goal: union with the Supreme.
Conclusion:
Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita, “Sannyasa Yoga,” elucidates the complementary nature of renunciation and selfless action. Krishna teaches that the highest form of renunciation is not the abandonment of action but the abandonment of attachment to the results of action. By performing duties selflessly and dedicating all actions to the divine, one can achieve liberation and eternal peace.
Krushna’s teachings in this chapter highlight that true renunciation lies in the inner attitude rather than the external act of giving up activities. Selfless action, guided by inner detachment and devotion, is presented as a practical and effective means to attain spiritual liberation.
।। अथ पञ्चमोऽध्यायः ।।
अर्जुन उवाच ।
संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि ।
यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम् ॥ ५-१ ॥
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ ।
तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥ ५-२ ॥
ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति ।
निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते ॥ ५-३ ॥
साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः ।
एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम् ॥ ५-४ ॥
यत्साङ्ख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते ।
एकं साङ्ख्यं च योगं च यः पश्यति स पश्यति ॥ ५-५ ॥
संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो दुःखमाप्तुमयोगतः ।
योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म नचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ५-६ ॥
योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः ।
सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ॥ ५-७ ॥
नैव किञ्चित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित् ।
पश्यञ्श्रुण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपञ्श्वसन् ॥ ५-८ ॥
प्रलपन्विसृजन्गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन्निमिषन्नपि ।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेषु वर्तन्त इति धारयन् ॥ ५-९ ॥
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः ।
लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ॥ ५-१० ॥
कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि ।
योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वात्मशुद्धये ॥ ५-११ ॥
युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् ।
अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते ॥ ५-१२ ॥
सर्वकर्माणि मनसा संन्यस्यास्ते सुखं वशी ।
नवद्वारे पुरे देही नैव कुर्वन्न कारयन् ॥ ५-१३ ॥
न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभुः ।
न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते ॥ ५-१४ ॥
नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभुः ।
अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तवः ॥ ५-१५ ॥
ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः ।
तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम् ॥ ५-१६ ॥
तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणाः ।
गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषाः ॥ ५-१७ ॥
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि ।
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः ॥ ५-१८ ॥
इहैव तैर्जितः सर्गो येषां साम्ये स्थितं मनः ।
निर्दोषं हि समं ब्रह्म तस्माद् ब्रह्मणि ते स्थिताः ॥ ५-१९ ॥
न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् ।
स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणि स्थितः ॥ ५-२० ॥
बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् ।
स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ॥ ५-२१ ॥
ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते ।
आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ॥ ५-२२ ॥
शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् ।
कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः ॥ ५-२३ ॥
योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः ।
स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति ॥ ५-२४ ॥
लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः ।
छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥ ५-२५ ॥
कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् ।
अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् ॥ ५-२६ ॥
स्पर्शान्कृत्वा बहिर्बाह्यांश्चक्षुश्चैवान्तरे भ्रुवोः ।
प्राणापानौ समौ कृत्वा नासाभ्यन्तरचारिणौ ॥ ५-२७ ॥
यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायणः ।
विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो यः सदा मुक्त एव सः ॥ ५-२८ ॥
भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् ।
सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति ॥ ५-२९ ॥
ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु
ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे
संन्यासयोगो नाम पञ्चमोऽध्यायः ॥ ५ ॥
