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Chapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness · 29 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Soul & knowledgeChapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.17

Knowledge and equal vision

Īśvara · God

तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणा: ।

गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषा: ॥ १७ ॥

tad-buddhayas tad-ātmānas

tan-niṣṭhās tat-parāyaṇāḥ

gacchanty apunar-āvṛttiṁ

jñāna-nirdhūta-kalmaṣāḥ

Translation

When one’s intelligence, mind, faith and refuge are all fixed in the Supreme, then one becomes fully cleansed of misgivings through complete knowledge and thus proceeds straight on the path of liberation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Fixed in Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Fixing intelligence, mind, faith and refuge in the Supreme clears all doubts through complete knowledge and leads straight toward liberation.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme is Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Full Kṛṣṇa consciousness brings perfect spiritual knowledge.

  3. 3

    Keep your mind, intelligence and faith fixed on Kṛṣṇa, and take shelter in Him to make steady progress toward liberation.

Key points from the purport

Becoming fixed in the Supreme — As described in this verse, after one achieves knowledge that he is different from his body i.e knowledge born of the mode of goodness (Ref. Bg. 14.17 “sattvat sanjayate jnanam…”) – he must become “fixed in the Supreme” to achieve liberation

By fixing one’s intelligence, mind, faith and refuge in the Supreme, one becomes fully cleansed of misgivings through complete knowledge

Thus one proceeds straight on the path of liberation

a

Meaning of the word “Supreme” used in translation — Krishna is the “Supreme Reality”

The whole Bhagavad-gita centers around the declaration that “Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead”

‘Para-tattva’ means the Supreme reality, who is understood by the knowers of the Supreme as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan

Bhagavan is the last word in the Absolute. Two references for this

Ref. Bg. 7.7 –“mattah parataram…”

Ref. Bg. 14.27 – “brahmano hi…”

b

How a Krishna conscious person proceeds steadily on the path of liberation

By fixing one’s mind, intelligence, faith and refuge in Krishna one is washed of all misgivings

One achieves perfect knowledge in everything concerning transcendence – Thus achieves thorough understanding that there is duality in Krishna (Simultaneous identity and individuality)

Connected verses · 1

Texts 5.17 & 5.18

And what of the impartiality of those who transcend the material world in this way?

Further reading

Liberation By Focussing On The Supersoul

One who, in knowledge, devotionally fixes his consciousness on the Supersoul and remains materially equipoised, attains liberation in the near future

Chapter 5, section IV: Liberation By Focussing On The Supersoul
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat-buddhayaḥthose whose intelligence is always in the Supreme
  2. tat-ātmānaḥthose whose minds are always in the Supreme
  3. tat-niṣṭhāḥthose whose faith is only meant for the Supreme
  4. tat-parāyaṇāḥwho have completely taken shelter of Him
  5. gacchantigo
  6. apunaḥ-āvṛttimto liberation
  7. jñānaby knowledge
  8. nirdhūtacleansed
  9. kalmaṣāḥmisgivings
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 5.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todayEqual Vision Through True KnowledgeA practice from BG 5.18, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.