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← Chapter 5: The Yoga of Renunciation of Action

Verse 5.3

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

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

Transliteration (IAST)

jñeyaḥ sa nitya-sannyāsī yo na dveṣṭi na kāṅkṣati। nirdvandvo hi mahā-bāho sukhaṁ bandhāt pramucyate।।

Word-by-Word Meanings

नित्यसन्न्यासी-eternal renunciate
द्वेष्टि-hates
काङ्क्षति-desires
निर्द्वन्द्वः-free from dualities
बन्धात्-from bondage
प्रमुच्यते-is liberated

Translation

One who neither hates nor desires is known as a perpetual renunciate. Free from dualities, O mighty-armed one, such a person is easily liberated from bondage.

Commentary

Krishna defines true renunciation as an internal state rather than external withdrawal. The real sannyāsī is one who has transcended the pairs of opposites - pleasure and pain, like and dislike. This inner freedom, not mere abandonment of action, constitutes genuine renunciation.

Themes

mokshakarmaatman