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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 ›
Duty & actionChapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
5.25.4

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.3

Detached action performed in devotion

Karma · Action

ज्ञेय: स नित्यसन्न्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्‍क्षति ।

निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते ॥ ३ ॥

jñeyaḥ sa nitya-sannyāsī

yo na dveṣṭi na kāṅkṣati

nirdvandvo hi mahā-bāho

sukhaṁ bandhāt pramucyate

Translation

One who neither hates nor desires the fruits of his activities is known to be always renounced. Such a person, free from all dualities, easily overcomes material bondage and is completely liberated, O mighty-armed Arjuna.

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

True Renunciation

  1. 1

    One who neither hates nor desires the results of work is always renounced, free from dualities, and easily freed from material bondage.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that a devotee acts for Kṛṣṇa, knowing that Kṛṣṇa is the whole and the devotee is His part.

  3. 3

    Do your work in loving service to Kṛṣṇa, without hatred or desire for its results.

Key points from the purport

One who works in devotion is a true sannyasi and easily achieves liberation

Definition of true sannyasi – neither hates nor desires fruits and is free from all dualities

a

Krishna Conscious person is a true sannyasi — How?

He has perfect transcendental knowledge i.e. soul and Krishna are one in quality but different in quantity

Incorrect transcendental knowledge – oneness in quantity with Krishna, because a part can never be equal to whole

Result of perfect knowledge – one becomes full in himself

Full in himself – implies no desire/hatred/lamentation for the results of action

No duality in mind – because whatever he does is for Krishna

Thus liberated even in material world

Further reading

Niskama-Karma-Yoga – Easier Than Renouncing Work

Arjuna again asks whether renouncing work is superior to working with detachment

Krishna replies

Both are equal in the sense that both are means to the same goal

Emphasizes working with detachment as easier and superior

Chapter 5, section I: Niskama-Karma-Yoga – Easier Than Renouncing Work
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jñeyaḥshould be known
  2. saḥhe
  3. nityaalways
  4. sannyāsīrenouncer
  5. yaḥwho
  6. nanever
  7. dveṣṭiabhors
  8. nanor
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 5.3 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

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 5.2Detached action performed in devotionBG 5.4Detached action performed in devotionBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomesBG 3.21Leadership by example
Live this todayServing Kṛṣṇa, Caring for AllA practice from BG 5.7, close to this verse

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

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction