Chapter 5: The Yoga of Renunciation

Verses (29)

1. 5.1

   अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि। यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्िचतम्।।...

   Focus on action aligned with your purpose rather than avoiding responsibility. Engagement beats detachment when driven by duty, not ego.

2. 5.2

   श्री भगवानुवाच संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ। तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते।।5.2...

   Engagement beats withdrawal. Take purposeful action aligned with your values rather than avoiding responsibility. This path leads to greater fulfillme...

3. 5.3

   ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति। निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते।।...

   True leadership means acting decisively without emotional attachment to outcomes. Release craving for success and fear of failure to lead with clarity...

4. 5.4

   सांख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः। एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम्।।5.4।।

   Master your chosen path fully. Whether through analysis or action, deep commitment to either approach yields complete results. Excellence matters more...

5. 5.5

   यत्सांख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते। एकं सांख्यं च योगं च यः पश्यति स पश्यति।।5.5।।

   True mastery comes from integrating different perspectives and approaches rather than viewing them as competing paths to success.

6. 5.6

   संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो दुःखमाप्तुमयोगतः। योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म नचिरेणाधिगच्छति।।5.6।।

   Master your work through focused action. Excellence in execution, not escape from responsibility, leads to lasting success and inner peace.

7. 5.7

   योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः। सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते।।5.7।।

   Master your mind and senses through disciplined practice, then act decisively without attachment to outcomes—your integrity remains untainted regardle...

8. 5.8

   नैव किंचित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित्। पश्यन् श्रृणवन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपन् श्वसन्...

   Detach your identity from outcomes. Execute decisions fully while recognizing external forces drive results—you're the instrument, not the sole cause.

9. 5.9

   प्रलपन्विसृजन्गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन्निमिषन्नपि। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेषु वर्तन्त इति धारयन्।।5.9।।

   Detach from outcomes while fully engaging in action. You execute tasks through your capabilities, but don't claim ownership of results—this mindset re...

10. 5.10

    ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः। लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा।।5.10।।

    Detach from outcomes while fully committing to your work. This mental separation protects your integrity and peace, regardless of results.

11. 5.11

    कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि। योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वाऽऽत्मशुद्धये।।5.11।।

    Detach from outcomes and perform your duties with full focus. This purifies your mind and enables genuine excellence in work.

12. 5.12

    युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम्। अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते।।5.12।।

    Focus on your effort and decisions, not outcomes. Detach from results through commitment to your values, and you'll find peace and freedom. Obsessing ...

13. 5.13

    सर्वकर्माणि मनसा संन्यस्यास्ते सुखं वशी। नवद्वारे पुरे देही नैव कुर्वन्न कारयन्।।5.13।।

    Master your mind first. Detach from outcomes while fulfilling responsibilities. True leadership means acting without ego or forcing others—creating sp...

14. 5.14

    न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभुः। न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते।।5.14।।

    Focus on your effort and choices, not outcomes. You control your actions, not results. This frees you from anxiety and enables better decisions.

15. 5.15

    नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभुः। अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तवः।।5.15।।

    You alone control your choices and outcomes. Stop blaming circumstances or others; ignorance of this truth keeps you trapped in mediocrity.

16. 5.16

    ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः। तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम्।।5.16।।

    When you gain self-awareness, clarity naturally emerges. Like sunlight dispelling darkness, understanding your true nature illuminates the right path ...

17. 5.17

    तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणाः। गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषाः।।5.17।।

    Leaders who align their purpose, identity, and actions with a clear mission transcend distraction and achieve lasting impact through unwavering focus ...

18. 5.18

    विद्याविनयसंपन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि। शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः।।5.18।।

    See beyond surface differences. True wisdom recognizes equal human worth regardless of status, background, or choices, enabling fair leadership and ge...

19. 5.19

    इहैव तैर्जितः सर्गो येषां साम्ये स्थितं मनः। निर्दोषं हि समं ब्रह्म तस्माद्ब्रह्मणि ते स्थिताः।।5.1...

    Leaders find lasting fulfillment by treating all situations and people with equal respect, recognizing the same fundamental worth in everyone regardle...

20. 5.20

    न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम्। स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद्ब्रह्मणि स्थ...

    Steady leaders maintain equanimity amid success and failure, making clear decisions unswayed by emotional reactions to outcomes.

21. 5.21

    बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम्। स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते।।5.21।।

    Focus inward on your values and purpose rather than chasing external outcomes. This mental clarity brings lasting fulfillment and better decisions.

22. 5.22

    ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते। आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः।।5.22।।

    Wise leaders avoid chasing short-term gains that breed long-term problems. Focus instead on sustainable value creation that endures beyond immediate r...

23. 5.23

    शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात्। कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः।।5.23।।

    Master your impulses before they master you. Leaders who control reactive emotions gain clarity, make better decisions, and find lasting peace amid ch...

24. 5.24

    योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः। स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति।।5.24।।

    Inner fulfillment and self-reliance create resilience. Leaders who find confidence within themselves, rather than seeking external validation, achieve...

25. 5.25

    लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः। छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः।।5.25।।

    Leaders who master their impulses, eliminate self-doubt, and focus on creating value for others naturally achieve excellence and lasting impact.

26. 5.26

    कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम्। अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम्।।5.26।।

    Master your impulses and emotions, know your true values, and you'll find peace regardless of your circumstances or chosen path.

27. 5.27

    स्पर्शान्कृत्वा बहिर्बाह्यांश्चक्षुश्चैवान्तरे भ्रुवोः। प्राणापानौ समौ कृत्वा नासाभ्यन्तरचारिणौ।।5....

    Master your focus, breath, and emotions by eliminating distractions and desires. This disciplined attention to what matters most liberates you from re...

28. 5.28

    यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायणः। विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो यः सदा मुक्त एव सः।।5.28।।

    Master your senses and breath, eliminate distractions, and release desire, fear, and anger to achieve mental clarity and true freedom in decision-maki...

29. 5.29

    भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्। सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति।।5.29।।

    Find peace by recognizing a greater purpose beyond yourself, serving others selflessly, and understanding your role in something larger than personal ...