Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 25

English Translation

The seers whose sins have been attenuated, who are freed from doubt, whose organs are under control, who are engaged in doing good to all beings, attain absorption in Brahman.

Detailed Commentary

5.25. Explanation— 'Yatātmānaḥ'—When seekers have a firm resolve for the attainment of the ultimate truth of Truth, their body, senses, mind, and intellect automatically come under control. With their subjugation, defects like rāga-dveṣa (attachment and aversion) cease, and they begin to work for the welfare of others. As long as one considers the body, mind, etc., as one's own possession, they do not come under control, and defects persist within them. Therefore, a seeker should not consider these as their own. The word 'Yatātmānaḥ' is used for such a seeker. 'Sarvabhūta-hite ratāḥ'—In Sāṅkhya Yoga, ego (ahaṅkāra) is an obstacle. To eradicate it, the feeling for the welfare of all beings is essential. This sentiment of goodwill for them is the means to eliminate ego. For those who wish to experience oneness with the Supreme Principle, love for the welfare of beings is necessary. 'Chhinnadvaidhāḥ'—When there is no certainty of attaining the Truth, seekers remain in a state of doubt. When this resolve becomes firm, then the seeker dedicates themselves to sādhanā (spiritual practice) with complete earnestness. 'Kṣīṇakalmaṣāḥ'—The very feeling of being connected to Prakriti (nature) is 'kalmaṣa' (impurity/sin), because this is what causes defects. When a seeker experiences themselves as distinct from Prakriti, purity (nirmalatā) arises within them. 'Ṛṣayaḥ'—'Ṛṣa' means those who value knowledge. Ancient Ṛṣis (sages) attained the Paramātmā (Supreme Self) even while remaining householders. This verse describes such seekers who perform sādhanā with viveka (discernment). 'Labhante Brahmanirvāṇam'—Brahman is always available to all, but due to identifying with the body and so forth, humans remain distant from Brahman. As soon as one separates oneself from these, being liberated, one experiences Brahman. 'Labhante' means that just as waves merge into the ocean, so too do yogis become absorbed in Brahman. Connection—In the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth verses, the attainment of Nirvāṇa Brahman by Sāṅkhya yogis is described. Now, the experience of that state is described in the following verse.