The embodied one, who has mastered the senses and mind, dwells happily in the city of nine gates, mentally renouncing all actions, neither doing nor causing action.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 5.13
Hindi · हिन्दी
जिसकी इन्द्रियाँ और मन वशमें हैं, ऐसा देहधारी पुरुष नौ द्वारोंवाले शरीररूपी पुरमें सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंका विवेकपूर्वक मनसे त्याग करके निःसन्देह न करता हुआ और न करवाता हुआ सुखपूर्वक अपने स्वरूपमें स्थित रहता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
सर्वकर्माणिall actionsमनसाwith the mindसंन्यस्यhaving renouncedआस्तेdwellsसुखंhappilyवशीself-masteredनवद्वारेwith nine gatesपुरेin the cityदेहीthe embodied oneनnotएवindeedकुर्वन्doingनnotकारयन्causing to do
Read literallyall actions · with the mind · having renounced · dwells · happily · self-mastered · with nine gates · in the city · the embodied one · not · indeed · doing · not · causing to do
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from personal authorship to quiet participation in action.
A self-mastered person can live peacefully in the body while inwardly letting go of all action. Such a person does not feel like the doer or the one making others act.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna is still answering Arjuna on the battlefield, where action feels impossible and unavoidable at once. After teaching action without attachment, he now shows the deeper freedom: a disciplined person can live in the body, act outwardly, and yet inwardly rest beyond doership.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You sent the message, made the call, and still feel responsible for every reaction. This verse reminds you that peace comes when you stop claiming ownership over everything that follows.
The takeaway
“You can stay fully present in life without carrying the burden of authorship.”
A self-mastered person can live peacefully in the body while inwardly letting go of all action. Such a person does not feel like the doer or the one making others act.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.13?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (The Yoga of Renunciation).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 5.13?
Verse 13 sits in Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita — Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "The Yoga of Renunciation". The chapter has 29 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 5.13 matter today?
You sent the message, made the call, and still feel responsible for every reaction. This verse reminds you that peace comes when you stop claiming ownership over everything that follows.
It shifts the mind from personal authorship to quiet participation in action.
What this verse means
A self-mastered person can live peacefully in the body while inwardly letting go of all action. Such a person does not feel like the doer or the one making others act.
Context & commentary
Krishna is still answering Arjuna on the battlefield, where action feels impossible and unavoidable at once. After teaching action without attachment, he now shows the deeper freedom: a disciplined person can live in the body, act outwardly, and yet inwardly rest beyond doership.
Why this verse still matters
You sent the message, made the call, and still feel responsible for every reaction. This verse reminds you that peace comes when you stop claiming ownership over everything that follows.
“You can stay fully present in life without carrying the burden of authorship.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), karma sannyasa (11 verses)