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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

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.6

Detached action performed in devotion

Karma · Action

सन्न्यासस्तु महाबाहो दु:खमाप्‍तुमयोगत: ।

योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म न चिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ६ ॥

sannyāsas tu mahā-bāho

duḥkham āptum ayogataḥ

yoga-yukto munir brahma

na cireṇādhigacchati

Translation

Merely renouncing all activities yet not engaging in the devotional service of the Lord cannot make one happy. But a thoughtful person engaged in devotional service can achieve the Supreme without delay.

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

Happiness Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Giving up activities without serving the Lord cannot bring happiness. A thoughtful person serving Him can reach the Supreme without delay.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that devotees find happiness in serving the Lord and are assured of entering God's kingdom, unlike those who merely speculate.

  3. 3

    Engage in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa rather than merely giving up activities.

Key points from the purport

Dry Renunciation (Jnana-marg) is too difficult and distressful

Karma-yoga is better because

Process is easier

Result quickly gives liberation

2 - 5.5 are mentioned in the table below

SUMMARISED THEME 5A CONCLUSION — DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RENUNCIATION AND WORK IN DEVOTION S.No Verse Renunciation / Mayavadi sannyasis Work in devotion/ Vaisnava sannyasis 1 3.3 Needs prior purification by prescribed Process itself purifies duties 2 5.2 Simply Jnana insufficient for liberation Action is must – Must act in status of soul 3 5.2 Risk of fall down Success guaranteed - Entrance into God’s Kingdom 4 5.2 Incomplete renunciation Complete renunciation / To use everything for Krishna 5 5.4 Find the root, Vishnu Water the root 6 5.5 Process is to detach from matter Become attached to Krishna 7 5.6 No happiness Brings happiness 8 5.6 Senses restricted, cannot relish Senses engaged, perform multiple transcendental devotional service devotional activities 9 5.6 Take many births Quickly achieves Supreme Personality of Godhead 10 5.6 Study Sankhya philosophy Study Srimad Bhagavatam 11 5.6 Sariraka bhasya on Vedanta Sutra by Study Srimad Bhagavatam, natural Sankaracarya commentary on Vedanta Sutra 12 5.6 May fall down to philanthropic and Have multiple engagements in devotional altruistic activities service, according to Pancharatriki regulations

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. sannyāsaḥthe renounced order of life
  2. tubut
  3. mahā-bāhoO mighty-armed one
  4. duḥkhamdistress
  5. āptumafflicts one with
  6. ayogataḥwithout devotional service
  7. yoga-yuktaḥone engaged in devotional service
  8. muniḥa thinker
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 5.6 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.

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.