Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Verse 21 Meaning

With the self unattached to external contacts, he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman, he attains endless happiness.

BG 5.21

बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम्। स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते

bāhya-sparśheṣhvasaktātmā vindatyātmani yat sukham sa brahma-yoga-yuktātmā sukham akṣhayam aśhnute

Meaning

With the self unattached to external contacts, he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman, he attains endless happiness.

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Explanation & Life Application

This verse from Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights a practical insight: With the self unattached to external contacts, he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman, he attains endless happiness.

In The Yoga of Renunciation (Karma Sanyasa Yoga), Krishna explains The comparison between renunciation of action and selfless action, showing both lead to liberation.

— Explained by the Nitya Team

Chapter Context

The comparison between renunciation of action and selfless action, showing both lead to liberation.

Key themes in this chapter include Renunciation, Inner peace, Equality.

When to Apply This Verse

  • •When you need steadiness while dealing with renunciation
  • •When practicing inner peace amid uncertainty
  • •When applying equality to real-life choices

Verse FAQs

What is the main idea of Bhagavad Gita 5.21?
With the self unattached to external contacts, he finds happiness in the Self; with the self engaged in the meditation of Brahman, he attains endless happiness. This verse emphasizes renunciation with clarity and purpose.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 5.21 in daily life?
Apply this teaching when making choices or doing your duties. Focus on inner peace and keep your mind steady regardless of outcomes.

Related Verses

BG 5.10

He who does actions, offering them to Brahman and abandoning attachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf is not tainted by water.

BG 5.18

Sages look with an equal eye on a Brahmana endowed with learning and humility, on a cow, an elephant, a dog, and even an outcaste.

BG 1.1

Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"

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← Back to Chapter 5: The Yoga of Renunciation

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