Verse 5.22
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते। आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
ye hi saṁsparśa-jā bhogā duḥkha-yonaya eva te। ādy-antavantaḥ kaunteya na teṣu ramate budhaḥ।।
Word-by-Word Meanings
संस्पर्शजाः-born of sense-contact
भोगाः-pleasures
दुःखयोनयः-sources of suffering
आद्यन्तवन्तः-having beginning and end
कौन्तेय-O son of Kunti
बुधः-the wise one
Translation
The pleasures born of sense-contact are indeed sources of suffering alone, for they have a beginning and an end, O son of Kunti. The wise one does not delight in them.
Commentary
Krishna identifies the fundamental problem with sensory pleasures: they are inherently impermanent and therefore ultimately produce suffering. Their transient nature means they inevitably end, leaving craving and dissatisfaction. The wise person, understanding this, does not seek fulfillment through them.
Themes
jnanamokshakarma