Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 - The Yoga of Renouciation of Action

The Yoga of Renounciation of Action is the heading of Chapter 5 in the Bhagavad Gita



In the Bhagavad Gita - Text and Commentary by Sri Sivananda (Sivananda Press Durban SA) the discourse (summary) is as follows:

In spite of Sri Krishna's clear instructions, Arjuna still seem to be bewildered. He want to know conclusively which is superior, the path of action or the path of renunciation of action. He is informed that both paths lead to the highest goal of God-realisation. Arjuna is told that the final realisation is the Atma, but the path of Karma Yoga (action) is superior. But then Sri Krishna says there is no real difference between the two.

Krishna further asserts that perfection can be attained and one can be established in the Atman only after the mind has been purified through the performance of selfless action. The Karma Yogi whose aware of the Atman and who is constantly engaged in action knows that although the intellect, mind and senses are active, he does not do anything. He is a spectator of everything and dedicates all his actions to God and thus abandons attachment, always remaining pure and unaffected. He surrender himself completely to the Divine Shakti. Having comopletely lrooted out desire, attachment and the ego, he is not born again.

So the sage who has realised in God (Brahman) and is always absorbed in God, doesn't have to be reborn. Such a person sees God(Brahman) everywhere, within and without. He see the Self in all beings and creatures- in a cow, an elephant, and even in a dog and an outcaste. This person enjoys eternal peace and happiness and is free from experiencing the ups and downs (joy and grief), since he doesn't depend on the senses for his satisfaction. On the other hand the enjoyments of the senses are generators of pain. They are impermanent. Sri Krishna reminds Arjuna that desire is the main cause of pain and suffering. It is the cause of anger. Therefore the aspirant should try to eradicate desire and anger if he is to reach the Supreme.

5.1- arjuna uvacasannyasam karmanam krishnapunar yogam ca samsasiyac chreya etayor ekamtan me bruhi su-niscitam - "Arjuna said: O Krishna, first of all You ask me to renounce work, and then again You recommend work with devotion. Now will You kindly tell me definitely which of the two is more beneficial?"

5.2- sri-bhagavan uvacasannyasah karma-yogas canihsreyasa-karav ubhautayos tu karma-sannyasatkarma-yogo visisyate - "The Personality of Godhead replied: The renunciation of work and work in devotion are both good for liberation. But, of the two, work in devotional service is better than renunciation of work

5.3- jneyah sa nitya-sannyasiyo na dvesti na kanksatinirdvandvo hi maha-bahosukham bandhat pramucyate- "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."

5.4 - sankhya-yogau prithag balahpravadanti na panditahekam apy asthitah samyagubhayor vindate phalam - "Only the ignorant speak of devotional service [karma-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [Sankhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both."

5.5 - yat sankhyaih prapyate sthanamtad yogair api gamyateekam sankhyam ca yogam cayah pasyati sa pasyati - "One who knows that the position reached by means of analytical study can also be attained by devotional service, and who therefore sees analytical study and devotional service to be on the same level, sees things as they are."

5.6 - sannyasas tu maha-bahoduhkham aptum ayogatahyoga-yukto munir brahmana cirenadhigacchati - "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."

5.7 - yoga-yukto vishuddhatmavijitatma jitendriyahsarva-bhutatma-bhutatmakurvann api na lipyate - "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

Click here to see the rest of the the verses for this chapter 5