Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 7

Chapter 5 – Karma Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः ।
सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ॥

Transliteration

yogayukto viśuddhātmā vijitātmā jitendriyaḥ .
sarvabhūtātmabhūtātmā kurvannapi na lipyate ॥

Meaning

One who is steadfast in Yoga, pure in mind, master of himself and of the senses, and whose self has become the Self of all beings, is not tainted though he acts.

Word meanings

योगयुक्तः – steadfast in Yoga
विशुद्धात्मा – of purified mind
विजितात्मा – master of the body-mind
जितेन्द्रियः – master of the senses
सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा – one whose self has become the Self of all beings
कुर्वन् – acting
अपि – even
न लिप्यते – is not tainted

Anvaya (word order)

योगयुक्तः विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा (सन्) कुर्वन् अपि न लिप्यते ।

Explanation

This verse gives a full definition of the Karma Yogi through five epithets. He is ‘yoga-yukta’ — established in Karma Yoga. He is ‘vishuddhatma’ — whose inner instrument is pure. He is ‘vijitatma’ — who has mastered his mind and body. He is ‘jitendriya’. And, highest of all, he is ‘sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma’ — whose self has become one with the Self of all beings.

The last epithet is deeply significant. Shankara explains it as meaning that he sees his own Self in all creatures, so hatred or discrimination toward anyone is impossible. Ramanuja says that in his vision all beings are the body of the same Supreme Self. When the doer's vision is so wide, action cannot bind him.

‘Kurvann api na lipyate’ — though acting he is not tainted. The lotus leaf lives in water yet remains dry. In his actions there is no selfishness, no pride of doership and no craving for results, so no stamp of merit or sin is left.

It is an ideal in which a person is both fully active and fully free. Staying in the world untouched by the world is the fruit of Karma Yoga.

Context

Verse 5.6 spoke of the quick fruit of Karma Yoga. Verse 5.7 describes the yogi's state. Verses 5.8–5.9 will show the way he regards his own actions.

Life lesson

When our actions spring from care for the welfare of all, and the mind stays pure and disciplined, work neither wearies nor binds us. A wide vision is the basis of non-attachment.

Key terms

Vishuddhatma: one of purified mind
Jitendriya: one who has conquered the senses
Sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma: one who sees his own Self in all beings