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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 ›
Liberation & destinyChapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
5.255.27

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.26

Liberation through spiritual discipline

Jīva · The soul

कामक्रोधविमुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् ।

अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् ॥ २६ ॥

kāma-krodha-vimuktānāṁ

yatīnāṁ yata-cetasām

abhito brahma-nirvāṇaṁ

vartate viditātmanām

Translation

Those who are free from anger and all material desires, who are self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection, are assured of liberation in the Supreme in the very near future.

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

Liberation Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Self-realized, disciplined people who are free from anger and material desires and keep striving for perfection will soon attain liberation in the Supreme.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that devotional service to Kṛṣṇa uproots deep desires to enjoy the results of work and brings liberation very quickly.

  3. 3

    Keep thinking of Kṛṣṇa and engage in His devotional service.

Key points from the purport

By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

Being free from anger and all material desires

By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection

a

“Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” — Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39)

b

Analogy of meditation — Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water

The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them

Birds maintain their offspring by touching

Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord's abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

c

Brahma-nirvana — Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme

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. kāmafrom desires
  2. krodhaand anger
  3. vimuktānāmof those who are liberated
  4. yatīnāmof the saintly persons
  5. yata-cetasāmwho have full control over the mind
  6. abhitaḥassured in the near future
  7. brahma-nirvāṇamliberation in the Supreme
  8. vartateis there
  9. vidita-ātmanāmof those who are self-realized
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: mokṣa, dhāma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 5.26 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to liberation & destiny?

Practice

Reflect on what you want to remember at life's end.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 5.25Liberation through spiritual disciplineBG 5.27Liberation through spiritual discipline
Live this todayPeace in Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessA practice from BG 5.29, 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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