Bhagavad Gita · Karma Sannyasa Yoga — The Yoga of Renunciation
Chapter 5, Verse 21
"Bhagavad Gita 5.21" — meaning and explanation.
बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् | स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते
bāhyasparśeṣvasaktātmā vindatyātmani yatsukham . sa brahmayogayuktātmā sukhamakṣayamaśnute
Meaning
5.21 With the self unattached to external contacts he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman he attains to the endless happiness.
।।5.21।। बाह्य विषयों में आसक्तिरहित अन्त:करण वाला पुरुष आत्मा में ही सुख प्राप्त करता है; ब्रह्म के ध्यान में समाहित चित्त वाला पुरुष अक्षय सुख प्राप्त करता है।।
Explanation
5.21 बाह्यस्पर्शेषु in external contacts? असक्तात्मा one whose mind is unattached? विन्दति finds? आत्मनि in,the Self? यत् (that) which? सुखम् happiness? सः he? ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman? सुखम् happiness? अक्षयम् endless? अश्नुते enjoys.Commentary When the mind is not attached to external objects of the senses? when one is deeply engaged in the contemplation of Brahman? he finds undecaying bliss in the Self within. If you want to enjoy the imperishable happiness of the Self within? you will have to withdraw the senses from their respective objects and plunge yourself in deep meditation on the Self within. This is the gist of this verse.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 5.21 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, verse 21, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 5.21
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 5.21 mean?
5.21 With the self unattached to external contacts he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman he attains to the endless happiness.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 5.21 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, verse 21, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.