Bhagavad Gita 5.8

 

Bhagavad Gita: Understanding Verse 5.8

The Bhagavad Gita is a timeless spiritual scripture that provides guidance on life, duty (dharma), and liberation (moksha). Chapter 5, titled "Karma Sannyasa Yoga" or "The Yoga of Renunciation", explains the balance between action and renunciation.

Sanskrit Verse 5.8

नैव किञ्चित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित् |
पश्यञ्शृण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपंश्वसन् ||

Transliteration

naiva kiñcit karomīti yukto manyeta tattvavit |
paśhyañ śhṛiṇvan spṛiśañ jighrann aśhnan gacchan svapan śhvasan ||

Word-by-Word Meaning

• na eva – not at all

• kiñcit – anything

• karomi – I do

• iti – thus

• yuktaḥ – one who is united (in devotion)

• manyeta – should think

• tattva-vit – knower of truth

• paśhyan – seeing

• śhṛiṇvan – hearing

• spṛiśan – touching

• jighran – smelling

• aśhnan – eating

• gacchan – walking

• svapan – sleeping

• śhvasan – breathing

Translation

"A person who is united with the Divine and understands the truth should think, 'I do nothing at all.' Even while seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, walking, sleeping, and breathing, they remain detached from action."

"जो व्यक्ति ईश्वर से एकाकार हो गया है और सत्य को समझ गया है, उसे सोचना चाहिए कि, 'मैं कुछ भी नहीं करता।' यहां तक कि देखते, सुनते, स्पर्श करते, सूंघते, खाते, चलते, सोते और सांस लेते हुए भी वे कर्म से विरक्त रहते हैं।"

Explanation

This verse highlights the attitude of detachment in action. A true yogi, who realizes the ultimate reality, understands that the self (Atman) is beyond bodily activities. Even though the body performs daily tasks like seeing, hearing, touching, or even breathing, the enlightened person remains uninvolved internally.

Key Teachings

1. Non-Attachment in Action – A wise person performs all actions with awareness but without attachment to the outcomes.

2. Self-Realization – The realization that the body acts, but the true Self (soul) remains untouched by actions.

3. Path to Liberation – By understanding this concept, one attains freedom from the cycle of karma and moves toward spiritual liberation (moksha).

Practical Application

• Mindfulness in Action: Perform duties with full awareness but detach from results.

• Spiritual Growth: Meditate on the self beyond bodily experiences.

• Inner Peace: Avoid stress from daily tasks by understanding that the doer is the body, not the soul.

Conclusion

Verse 5.8 of the Bhagavad Gita teaches the essence of Karma Yoga—acting without ego and attachment. By realizing that the self is beyond physical actions, one can live a life of peace, wisdom, and spiritual freedom.