Bhagavad Gita 5.9

 

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 5, Verse 9 – The Path of Renunciation and Action

Sanskrit Verse

प्रलपन् विसृजन् गृह्णन् उन्नमन् निमिषन्नपि |
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेषु वर्तन्त इति धारयन् || ५.९ ||

Transliteration

Pralapan visṛjan gṛhṇan unnaman nimiṣannapi |
Indriyāṇīndriyārtheṣu vartanta iti dhārayan || 5.9 ||

Translation

"He who speaks, lets go, grasps, opens and closes his eyes, believes that only the senses are engaged in their respective objects—he remains unattached."

" जो बोलता है, छोड़ता है, पकड़ता है, आँखें खोलता और बंद करता है, ऐसा मानता है कि केवल इन्द्रियाँ ही अपने-अपने विषयों में लगी हुई हैं - वह अनासक्त रहता है। "

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Explanation

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 5, Verse 9) highlights the state of a self-realized person who performs actions but remains detached from them. Lord Krishna explains that such a wise individual perceives all bodily activities—speaking, letting go, taking, opening and closing the eyes—as functions of the senses interacting with their objects. The soul, the true self, remains untouched by these activities.

Understanding the Concept

1. Detachment in Action

   • A realized person understands that actions are performed by the body and senses, not by the self (Atman).

   • This awareness helps in attaining spiritual liberation while engaging in worldly duties.

2. Freedom from Ego

   • The ego binds an individual by making them feel as if they are the doer of actions.

   • By realizing that the senses act upon their respective objects, a person frees themselves from attachment and pride.

3. Equanimity in Daily Life

• Even mundane actions like speaking, seeing, and grasping do not disturb the peace of a spiritually awakened soul.

• Such a person moves through life with mindfulness and surrender to the divine.

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Practical Application

• Mindfulness in Action: Performing daily tasks with awareness, without attachment to outcomes, helps cultivate inner peace.

• Letting Go of Ego: Understanding that the body and senses are instruments of nature (Prakriti) helps dissolve the sense of "I" and "mine."

• Spiritual Detachment: Engaging in worldly duties while maintaining a spiritual focus leads to true liberation (Moksha).

This verse beautifully reinforces the philosophy of Karma Yoga—acting without attachment and realizing that the self remains untouched by physical actions.