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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 5.7

Detached action performed in devotion

Karma · Action

योगयुक्तो विश‍ुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रिय: ।

सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ॥ ७ ॥

yoga-yukto viśuddhātmā

vijitātmā jitendriyaḥ

sarva-bhūtātma-bhūtātmā

kurvann api na lipyate

Translation

One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled.

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

Working in Devotion

  1. 1

    A pure person who works in devotion and controls his mind and senses is dear to all, loves all, and is never entangled by work.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that serving Kṛṣṇa serves all living beings, just as watering a tree’s root nourishes its leaves and branches.

  3. 3

    Keep your mind on Kṛṣṇa and use your senses in His service, such as hearing about Him and eating food offered to Him.

Further reading

How To Perform Niskama-Karma-Yoga

One performing Niskama-karma-yoga identifies

Neither with his body

Nor the activities that his body performs

By his detached actions, he is freed from the reactions of his activities

Chapter 5, section II: How To Perform Niskama-Karma-Yoga
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yoga-yuktaḥengaged in devotional service
  2. viśuddha-ātmāa purified soul
  3. vijita-ātmāself-controlled
  4. jita-indriyaḥhaving conquered the senses
  5. sarva-bhūtato all living entities
  6. ātma-bhūta-ātmācompassionate
  7. kurvan apialthough engaged in work
  8. nanever
  9. lipyateis entangled
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 5.7 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 AllOne practice from this verse

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