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← Chapter 5: The Yoga of Renunciation of Action

Verse 5.6

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

सन्न्यासस्तु महाबाहो दुःखमाप्तुमयोगतः। योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म नचिरेणाधिगच्छति।।

Transliteration (IAST)

sannyāsas tu mahā-bāho duḥkham āptum ayogataḥ। yoga-yukto munir brahma na cireṇādhigacchati।।

Word-by-Word Meanings

सन्न्यासः-renunciation
दुःखम्-difficult/painful
अयोगतः-without yoga
योगयुक्तः-united in yoga
मुनिः-sage
ब्रह्म-Brahman

Translation

But renunciation, O mighty-armed one, is difficult to attain without yoga. The sage who is united in yoga quickly attains Brahman.

Commentary

Krishna warns that mere external renunciation without the discipline of yoga leads to suffering. The mind unpurified by selfless action cannot sustain true renunciation. Karma yoga serves as the practical preparation that makes genuine renunciation possible.

Themes

karmayogamoksha