One who is not attached to outer contacts finds the joy within the true self. Unified with the supreme reality, that person enjoys unending happiness.
— Krishna
❋
Bhagavad Gita · 5.21
Hindi · हिन्दी
बाह्यस्पर्शमें आसक्तिरहित अन्तःकरणवाला साधक आत्मामें जो सुख है, उसको प्राप्त होता है । फिर वह ब्रह्ममें अभिन्नभावसे स्थित मनुष्य अक्षय सुखका अनुभव करता है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
बाह्यस्पर्शेषुin outer contactsअसक्त-आत्माone whose inner being is not attachedविन्दतिfindsआत्मनिin the true selfयत्whichसुखम्happinessसःthat oneब्रह्म-योग-युक्त-आत्माone whose inner being is joined in union with the supreme realityसुखम्happinessअक्षयम्imperishableअश्नुतेenjoys, attains
Read literallyin outer contacts · one whose inner being is not attached · finds · in the true self · which · happiness · that one · one whose inner being is joined in union with the supreme reality · happiness · imperishable · enjoys, attains
Understanding the verse
✦
Unhooked from outer contacts, a person finds joy within the self, and that joy does not run out.
Real happiness is found by turning away from outside pleasures and resting in the true self. That inner joy does not wear out.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna teaches the frozen Arjuna the way beyond restless desire. After describing steadiness and equanimity, Krishna says the one who is no longer hooked by outer contact discovers joy within and enters an unending peace.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
After retiring, a man misses the office canteen, the meetings and the titles. Krishna points him to a joy within that never depended on any of those contacts, and so cannot be taken away.
The takeaway
“Relief comes from knowing lasting contentment is not dependent on changing circumstances.”
Real happiness is found by turning away from outside pleasures and resting in the true self. That inner joy does not wear out.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.21?
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 5.21?
Verse 21 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 5.21 matter today?
After retiring, a man misses the office canteen, the meetings and the titles. Krishna points him to a joy within that never depended on any of those contacts, and so cannot be taken away.
Unhooked from outer contacts, a person finds joy within the self, and that joy does not run out.
What this verse means
Real happiness is found by turning away from outside pleasures and resting in the true self. That inner joy does not wear out.
Context & commentary
Krishna teaches the frozen Arjuna the way beyond restless desire. After describing steadiness and equanimity, Krishna says the one who is no longer hooked by outer contact discovers joy within and enters an unending peace.
What it looks like today
After retiring, a man misses the office canteen, the meetings and the titles. Krishna points him to a joy within that never depended on any of those contacts, and so cannot be taken away.
“Relief comes from knowing lasting contentment is not dependent on changing circumstances.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses)