Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 13

English Translation

The embodied man of self-control, having given up all actions mentally, continues happily in the town of nine gates, without doing or causing (others) to do anything at all.

Detailed Commentary

।।5.13।। Commentary -- 'Vashī Dehī' means that it is due to attachment (āsakti) and possessiveness (mamata) towards the senses, mind, intellect, etc., that these overpower a person. When there is no possessiveness or attachment towards them, they remain spontaneously under control. In a Sāṁkhyayogi, since there is no possessiveness or attachment to any of these, they remain under his sway, and thus he is called 'Vashī' (one who has control). As long as a person maintains any kind of relationship with the actions of Prakriti (Nature), he remains subservient to Prakriti. Prakriti is always active; therefore, by remaining connected with it, a person cannot escape karma. However, a Sāṁkhyayogi, who is free from the actions of Prakriti without possessiveness or attachment, is not the doer (kartā) of those actions. Although a Sāṁkhyayogi has no connection with the body, people still perceive him as embodied. Hence, he is called 'Dehī' (the embodied one). 'Navadvāre Pure' means that the body has nine gates in its lower and upper parts. The body and the Jīvātmā (individual soul) are distinct. Just as a person living in a city does not consider the city's actions as his own, similarly, a Sāṁkhyayogi does not consider the body's actions as his own. 'Sarvakarmāṇi Manasā Saṁnyasya' means to renounce all actions with discrimination (viveka) through the mind. If it is understood as merely renouncing through the mind, that would be incorrect, because renunciation by the mind is also an action. 'Manasā Saṁnyasya' implies the renunciation of doership (kartāpan) with discrimination through the mind. 'Naiva Kurvan Na Kārayan' means that a Sāṁkhyayogi has neither doership (kartṛtva) nor causality (kāraṇatva). He neither acts himself nor causes others to act. Having no connection of ego (ahaṁkāra) or possessiveness (mamata) with the body, senses, mind, etc., he does not consider himself the doer of their actions. 'Āste Sukham' means to dwell in one's natural state. The natural state is inherently blissful (sukha-svarūpa). Upon recognizing this, only one's true Self (svarūpa) remains. Here, the word 'Āste' is used to explain this. It is also referred to by the word 'Svasthaḥ' (situated in oneself). Through 'Āste', that ultimate principle (tattva) is described which is the foundation of all foundations. Connection -- Previously, it was stated that a Sāṁkhyayogi neither acts nor causes others to act; but does Bhagavān (God) cause actions? In answer to this, the following verse is given.