नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मन: ||40||
The ignorant, faithless, and doubting person perishes; neither this world, nor the next, nor happiness exists for the doubting soul.
- Samshay-atma: A doubting soul.
- Vinashyati: Perishes or is destroyed.
The doubting soul, Krishna warns, faces spiritual ruin. By highlighting the perils of doubt, he encourages Arjuna to cultivate conviction, reminding him that confidence in the path is crucial for success in life and spirituality, as doubt blocks one from achieving true fulfillment and peace.
आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय ||41||
One who has renounced action by yoga, with doubts dispelled by knowledge, does not get bound by action, O Dhananjaya.
- Sannyasta: Renunciation or giving up actions.
- Dhananjaya: Another name for Arjuna, meaning conqueror of wealth.
Krishna reassures that one with clear understanding and renunciation is free from karma’s grasp. This conveys that by resolving doubts through knowledge, Arjuna can engage freely in his duties, with wisdom as his guide, acting without attachment or fear of karmic bondage.
छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत ||42||
Therefore, with the sword of knowledge, cut off this doubt in your heart born of ignorance. Take refuge in yoga. Arise, O Bharata.
- Samshayam: Doubt or uncertainty.
- Jnanam: Knowledge, often spiritual or transcendent.
Krishna urges Arjuna to sever doubt with the sword of wisdom, preparing him for action. This final directive concludes Krishna’s counsel on knowledge and duty, empowering Arjuna to confront his inner conflicts, reaffirming that decisive wisdom is key to fulfilling his dharma fearlessly.
Chapter 5
Karma Sannyasa Yogah
यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम् ||1||
Arjuna said: You praise renunciation of actions, Krishna, yet also praise the path of action. Please tell me clearly which is superior.
- Karma: Refers to actions or deeds.
- Yoga: The discipline or path for self-realization.
- Sannyasa: Renunciation of all actions.
Arjuna’s query about renunciation versus karma hints at his confusion over conflicting paths. He is drawn to selfless action yet unsure about complete renunciation, a theme Krishna will clarify, emphasizing the compatibility of duty and spirituality.
तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ||2||
Sri Krishna said: Both renunciation of actions and karma yoga lead to supreme bliss; but, of the two, karma yoga is superior to renunciation.
- Nihsreyasa: The ultimate state of liberation or supreme bliss.
- Karma-Yoga: Path of action in union with spiritual knowledge.
Krishna explains that both renunciation and action lead to spiritual fulfillment, yet stresses the practicality of karma yoga. This underscores a central theme in the Gita: enlightenment can arise through disciplined, detached action, rather than abandonment.
निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते ||3||
One who neither hates nor desires is rightly understood to be always a renunciant. Being free from dualities, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one is easily liberated from bondage.
- Mahabaho: An epithet for Arjuna, meaning mighty-armed.
- Nitya-Sannyasi: One who is eternally renounced.
The idea of true renunciation is introduced—detachment from desires and aversions. Krishna advises Arjuna that liberation comes not from ceasing action but from conquering inner conflicts, a preparation for the deeper discourse on conquering the self.