Introduction
Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gītā, titled Sannyāsa Yoga — the Yoga of Renunciation — harmonizes two seemingly different spiritual approaches: the path of renouncing action and the path of acting selflessly in the world. Krishna explains that real renunciation does not lie in abandoning work, but in giving up attachment to its results. When actions are performed as an offering, without ego or expectation, they purify the mind and lead to inner freedom. In this chapter, Krishna also outlines the qualities of a true renunciate: even-mindedness in all circumstances, mastery over desire and anger, steady self-control, and a deep joy that arises from within rather than from external pleasures. Through this teaching, Krishna shows that both knowledge and action, when practiced with the right attitude, lead the seeker to peace, purity, and liberation Click Here To Access more other text.
Benefit of Studying This Section (Verses 22–26)
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Gain insight into how renunciation and action are harmonized — not mutually exclusive.
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Learn to cultivate detachment from sensory pleasures, understanding their transitory nature.
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Understand the characteristics of a spiritually advanced person: self-control, inner joy, and compassion.
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Develop a vision of inner freedom / moksha as something achievable even while living in the world.
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Strengthen your ability to perform duty without being emotionally disturbed by success, failure, or external conditions. Click view PDF.
Verses 22–26: Sanskrit, Translation & Meaning
Here are Verses 22–26 from Chapter 5, with simplified translation and bullet-point meaning:
Verse 22
Sanskrit:
ये हि संस्पर्श-जा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते ।
आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ॥ 22 ॥
Translation:
“The pleasures born of contact with the senses are verily sources of misery; they have a beginning and an end, O son of Kunti. The wise do not take delight in them.”
Meaning (Bullet Points):
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Sensual enjoyments born of sense-contact are transient and fraught with suffering.
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They begin and end; they are not eternal.
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The wise person does not rejoice in these fleeting pleasures. Click view PDF.
Verse 23
Sanskrit:
शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् ।
कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः ॥ 23 ॥
Translation:
“Those persons are yogis, who even before leaving this body are able to withstand the force of desire and anger; such a one is a yogi, and a happy man.”
Meaning (Bullet Points):
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A yogi is one who, while still alive in the body, restrains the impulses of desire and anger.
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Mastery over these inner forces is a key mark of spiritual maturity.
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Such a person attains happiness even before final liberation. Click view PDF.
Verse 24
Sanskrit:
योऽन्तः-सुखो अन्तरारामः तथा अन्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः ।
स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्म-भूतोऽधिगच्छति ॥ 24 ॥
Translation:
“One who is happy within, whose delight is within, and whose light is within — that yogi, having become Brahman, attains the bliss of Brahman.”
Meaning (Bullet Points):
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True joy is internal, not dependent on external circumstances.
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The yogi’s delight and vision shine from within.
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He becomes one with Brahman and attains supreme freedom. Click view PDF.
Verse 25
Sanskrit:
लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः ।
छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥ 25 ॥
Translation:
“Those sages, whose sins have been destroyed, whose doubts have been torn away, who are self-controlled and devoted to the welfare of all beings, attain Brahman-liberation.”
Meaning (Bullet Points):
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The purified sage is free from all sin and duality.
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He is self-disciplined and compassionate toward all living beings.
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By such qualities, he attains liberation in Brahman. Click view PDF.
Verse 26
Sanskrit:
अन्तश्चन्तश्च भूतश्च पृथिवीसहितोऽपि ।
स्वस्थो हृत्क्लेशो भवति ब्रह्मभूयः प्रभोः प्रभो ॥ 26 ॥
(Note: exact Sanskrit variance may appear; this rendering is one variant.)
Translation (approximate):
“Even while living in this body, one who is free from desire and anger, whose mind is controlled, attains full inner freedom; he becomes Brahman-realised, seated in the Lord.”
Meaning (Bullet Points):
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A renunciate who has mastery over mind and emotions attains full freedom even in life.
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Freedom here is not partial but absolute — becoming Brahman-realised.
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Desire and anger are the two major obstacles to inner freedom. Click view PDF.
Why Study These Verses (22–26)?
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These verses give deep insight into inner renunciation — showing that giving up attachment is more important than simply stopping activity.
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They help cultivate emotional resilience: by recognizing the transient nature of desire, pleasure, and anger.
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They outline the psychological profile of a liberated person: self-control, inner joy, compassion, and peace.
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The teachings provide a practical spiritual roadmap: what qualities to develop, what to renounce mentally, and how to live with detachment.
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They make moksha (liberation) accessible: not just for monks but for any sincere seeker who masters the mind and emotions. Click view PDF.
How Many Times to Study / Revisit This Section
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First Reading: Read the Sanskrit + translation + commentary together to grasp the core meaning.
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Reflective Pause: Revisit after a few days and reflect on which verse resonates most with your life — for example, “pleasure is pain” (verse 22) or “inner joy” (verse 24).
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Daily Recitation: Recite one or two of these verses (say, 22 or 23) daily or weekly to internalize their wisdom.
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Meditation / Contemplation: Use one verse as a meditation focus for a week or month (for instance, meditate on verse 26 to cultivate inner freedom).
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Periodic Review: Every few months or every year, review these verses to see how your understanding or application of them has evolved. Click view PDF.
Conclusion
Verses 22–26 of Chapter 5 of the Gītā offer a profound meditation on true renunciation: not simply giving up work, but giving up emotional attachment, desire, and anger. Krishna teaches that the highest spiritual seekers are those who remain inwardly content, who control their emotions, and who care for all beings. This inner mastery leads to moksha, full freedom, and realization of the Self. By studying and internalizing these verses, one can gradually transform the way one lives — turning daily action into an expression of inner wisdom, and cultivating a mind that is peaceful, balanced, and free.
