Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 21

English Translation

With his heart unattached to external objects, he gets the bliss that is in the Self. With his heart absorbed in meditation on Brahman, he acires undecaying Bliss.

Detailed Commentary

5.21. Elucidation: 'Bahya Sparsheshvasaktaatmaa' – These words are for that *saadhaka* whose mind, apart from the *Paramatmaa*, is not attached to the pleasures linked with the body, senses, and mind. Even if a *saadhaka's* attachment has not ceased, but he has resolved in his mind that he will end it, he should also be considered liberated. Due to firm resolve, he soon becomes completely free from *aasakti* (attachment). In the previous *shloka*, it was stated that one should not rejoice upon receiving what is dear, nor be distressed upon encountering what is unpleasant. To attain this state, there should be no *aasakti* to external objects. External sense objects are constantly changing, but due to attachment, one perceives pleasure in them. In reality, there is no pleasure in them; the experience of happiness occurs when the mind withdraws from them. In *sushupti* (deep sleep), when the connection with objects is forgotten, there is happiness. It is an illusion that humans cannot live without material things; in reality, true joy in life is found only through detachment from them. In sleep, a person is separated from external objects, and there remains a desire to perform some actions upon waking. Detachment from connections is a permanent desire, whereas the purpose of performing actions can change. When a person's desire to act is strong, he cannot relinquish *aasakti*. The remedy for considering a false connection with objects is not to identify oneself with them. The connection with material things is unreal, whereas our connection with the *Paramatmaa* is true. By removing *aasakti* from external things, the *saadhaka* attains inner peace and *saattvic sukha* (pure happiness), while the pleasure from external things is *rajasic* (passionate). Only after *rajasic sukha* is *saattvic sukha* experienced. 'Sa Brahmyogayuktaatmaa' – As soon as *raaga* (attachment/desire) is extinguished, one becomes established in *Brahman*. Just as light automatically appears when darkness departs. First, upon the eradication of *raaga*, establishment in *Brahman* occurs. This sequence has also been explained earlier in the *Gitaa*. Even after the experience of *saattvic sukha* subsequent to worldly enjoyment (*bhoga*), a subtle 'I' (*aham*) remains. To eradicate this, the experience of *Paramatma-tattva* (the essence of the Supreme Self) is necessary. Without an indivisible experience in the *Paramatmaa*, individual existence does not completely cease. 'Sukham Akshayam Ashnute' – When the *saadhaka* experiences *saattvic sukha*, a subtle 'I' (*aham*) still remains within it. When this 'I' (*aham*) is eradicated, an experience of imperishable (*akshaya*) and eternal (*nitya*) happiness occurs, which is called *Aatyantika Sukha* (ultimate happiness). Love continuously grows. When this is experienced, a sense of newness is felt every time. The growth of love is the *saadhana-sthiti* (state of spiritual practice), and when it is felt that there was no deficiency even before, that is the *siddha-sthiti* (state of perfection). Connection (to the next verse) – In the previous *shloka*, the Lord spoke of bestowing imperishable happiness upon one who attains *virakti* (detachment) from worldly objects. How to achieve *virakti* from worldly objects will be explained in the next *shloka*.