THE FIFTH CHAPTER
Arjun Uvaach: Arjuna asks, “O Lord! You first advised renouncing actions, and now you advocate performing them. Please clarify which path is more beneficial for me.”
The Lord replies, "O Arjuna! Both renunciation of actions and the path of Karmayoga lead to liberation, but Karmayoga is superior. A Karmayogi acts without attachment or aversion, desires not the fruits of actions, and remains equanimous in joy and sorrow. Such a person truly understands renunciation.
Those who see Gyan-Yog and Karma-yog as separate do not grasp the truth. Both paths lead to me, and one who chooses either attains my bliss.
Karmayoga is the path of action with devotion, while Gyan-Yog is the path of knowledge. The ultimate state achieved through knowledge and yoga can also be reached through Karmayoga.
It’s challenging to attain renunciation without first engaging in Karmayoga. Yet, one who performs selfless actions quickly comes to true renunciation, which leads to spiritual liberation.
A true Sanyaasi, acting with Nirguna knowledge, pure conscience, and mastery over senses, sees all beings as extensions of their own soul and harms none. Such a person remains unattached to actions.
No one can live without action. By renouncing the fruits of action and performing duties as an offering to me, one remains unattached like a lotus leaf in water.
Karmayogis purify their being by acting selflessly and without ego. They attain supreme peace—my bliss—while those who act for selfish gains are bound by their desires.
One who controls their senses and mind, forsaking all Trigun actions, does not truly ‘act’ but remains content within themselves.
Arjuna, this body is like a city with nine gates: two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, a mouth, an anus, and a penis. I did not create this world for my own purposes; I do not compel beings to act or suffer. It is Avidya that ensnares beings in joy and sorrow.
Those who blame God for their suffering are mistaken. Despite my efforts to guide them towards bliss through knowledge, they often do not heed my teachings and thus suffer.
O Parth! I neither sin against anyone nor bestow favors; it is their own actions that determine their fate."
Those who lack knowledge do not recognize Me, the Omnipresent, for their intellect is veiled by My Maya and ignorance. But those whose ignorance is dispelled by My knowledge truly know Me. Just as the sun banishes darkness and reveals all things, My infinite knowledge illuminates the hearts of the virtuous and reveals My presence.
Those who fix their intellect in Me, worship Me with faith, and are devoted to Me in love, swiftly cleanse their sins and attain My eternal bliss.
O Arjuna! A true sage views a learned brahmin, an elephant, a dog, a cow, and an outcaste with equal vision. One who harms none is wise in My eyes and beloved to all beings. Such a person conquers this world and is steady in both joy and sorrow.
The dispassionate soul, recognizing the transient nature of worldly pleasures, first delights in the joy of knowledge. Then, by remembering Me through my name, they find My imperishable pleasure—liberation.
O son of Kunti! Knowing that worldly enjoyments are fleeting and sources of misery, my sage does not indulge in them.
In this life, one who has subdued greed and anger, controlled their passions, and remembers My name is truly joyful. Such a yogi finds happiness within by meditating on My form and does not seek external distractions. Their soul is enlightened by My knowledge.
A wise person who has eradicated sin, dispelled doubt, and devotedly worships Me attains My eternal nature. Those who have overcome desire and anger, mastered their mind, recognized divinity, and performed righteous deeds for its own sake—such devotees find indestructible happiness here and beyond.
O Arjuna! One who balances the breath through pranayama, fixes their gaze inwardly between the eyebrows, controls the senses, stabilizes the mind and intellect, and worships Me with concentration—such a great soul is forever free.
Salvation is not achieved merely by controlling senses or eradicating desire and anger; knowledge is essential for liberation. Those who renounce without understanding suffer.
Therefore, O Parth! First acquire knowledge, then embrace renunciation in devotion to Me; thus one easily attains liberation.
Whatever offerings or penances my learned devotees perform with love according to my teachings are accepted by Me with equal affection. As the Lord and Creator of all beings, those who know Me attain supreme happiness.
ITI SHRIMADBHAGWADGEETASUPANISHATSHU BRAHMAVIDYAYAM YOGSHASTRE SHRIKRISHNAARJUN SAMVADE KARMASANYAAS YOGONAM PANCHMOADHYAYAH ॥5॥
|| SHRIKRISHAN ARPAN MASTU ||
