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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 ›
Mind & yogaChapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
5.215.23

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.22

Sense control, peace and inner happiness

Prakṛti · Material nature

ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दु:खयोनय एव ते ।

आद्यन्तवन्त: कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुध: ॥ २२ ॥

ye hi saṁsparśa-jā bhogā

duḥkha-yonaya eva te

ādy-antavantaḥ kaunteya

na teṣu ramate budhaḥ

Translation

An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. O son of Kuntī, such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them.

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

Beyond Temporary Sense Pleasures

  1. 1

    The wise avoid material sense pleasures because they bring misery and have a beginning and an end.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that true yogīs find unlimited spiritual joy in the Supreme Lord, not in temporary pleasures.

  3. 3

    Accept self-discipline to purify your life rather than work hard for sense pleasure.

Key points from the purport

An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery

Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary

a

Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures — enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino...”

Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama

SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)

Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)

Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence

As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

Connected verses · 1

Texts 5.22 & 5.23

The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below

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. yethose
  2. hicertainly
  3. saṁsparśa-jāḥby contact with the material senses
  4. bhogāḥenjoyments
  5. duḥkhadistress
  6. yonayaḥsources of
  7. evacertainly
  8. tethey are
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: manas, indriya, yoga.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 5.22 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to mind & yoga?

Practice

Sit quietly for ten minutes and gently return the mind.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 5 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 5.20Sense control, peace and inner happinessBG 5.21Sense control, peace and inner happinessBG 6.35Practice and detachment
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.

  1. Learn
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  3. Lead
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