Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

PATH OF RENUNCIATION

Verse 5.01-07

Arjuna asked:

O Krishna, You praise the path of transcendental knowledge, and also the path of performance of selfless service (Karma-yoga). Tell me, definitely, which one is the better of the two paths.
Lord Krishna said:

The path of Self-knowledge and the path of selfless service both lead to the supreme goal. But, of the two, the path of selfless service is superior to path of Self-knowledge, because it is easier to practice. One who attains self knowledge also attains self less service. One who neither hates nor desires the fruits of his activities is known to be always renounced. Such a person, free from all dualities, easily overcomes material bondage and is completely liberated.

One who gets self knowledge becomes a sage and one who does self less service is a karma yogi. Both reach the same goal. A sage equipped with Karma yoga attains Nirvana more quickly because both by mind and act he becomes pure and both his mind and senses are under control. And when he does his duties, he does not become tainted by his works.

Verse 5.08-09

A person in the divine consciousness, although engaged in seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving about, sleeping and breathing, always he always stands detached.

Verse 5.10-12

When doing his duties, he does all work as an offering to God - abandoning selfish attachment to results just like a lotus leaf never gets wet by water. On the contrary, those attached to fruits of work become bound by selfish work.

Verse 5.13-17

If any one feels ‘I am doing this job’ it is his ego that makes him feel so. His attachment to the results makes him feel so. The God does not create these feelings and delusions in men.

Similarly, if a man does evil deeds, it is his ignorance of self knowledge makes him commit the wrongs. The Lord does not take the responsibility for the evil deeds of anybody.

Only the transcendental knowledge can destroy this ignorance and reveal the supreme being in him, just as the sun reveals the beauty of this world to him.

Persons, whose mind and intellect are totally merged in the Supreme Being, who are firmly devoted to the Supreme, who have God as their supreme goal and sole refuge, and whose impurities are destroyed by the knowledge of the self can live happily and reach nirvana avoiding to take birth again.

Verse 5.18-26

An enlightened person perceives God in all beings whether the other is a learned or an outcast or an animal or a bird. He is the person who has realized the Supreme Being.

He neither rejoices on what is pleasant nor grieves on what is unpleasant. To him sensual pleasures are a source of misery. He withstands the impulses of lust and anger. He is a man of a steady mind. Well illuminated with self knowledge he simply is in union with the Supreme Being enjoying the transcendental bliss. Those who are free from lust and anger, who have subdued the mind and senses, and who have known the Self, easily attain Nirvana.

Self knowledge destroys doubts and disciplines people and makes them engaged in the welfare of all beings and to attain the Supreme Being. And they conquer the conditions of birth and death.

Verse 5.27-29

To free oneself from the external objects, one has to get into the mode of meditation. This meditation is achieved by keeping the eyes and vision concentrated between the two eyebrows, suspending the inward and outward breaths within the nostrils, and thus controlling the mind, senses and intelligence. This helps one to shut out all external influences. The human liberation starts from here.

And now to attain freedom from material miseries, one has to be in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me and consider Me to be the ultimate benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities.