Leaving outer objects outside, fixing the gaze between the eyebrows, and balancing the inward and outward breaths moving through the nose.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 5.27
Hindi · हिन्दी
बाह्य पदार्थोंको बाहर ही छोड़कर और नेत्रोंकी दृष्टिको भौंहोंके बीचमें स्थित करके तथा नासिकामें विचरनेवाले प्राण और अपान वायुको सम करके जिसकी इन्द्रियाँ, मन और बुद्धि अपने वशमें हैं, जो मोक्षपरायण है तथा जो इच्छा, भय और क्रोधसे सर्वथा रहित है, वह मुनि सदा मुक्त ही है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
स्पर्शान्outer contactsकृत्वाhaving madeबहिःoutsideबाह्यान्outerचक्षुःthe eyesच एवand indeedअन्तरेbetweenभ्रुवोःthe eyebrowsप्राणापानौthe inward and outward breathsसमौequalकृत्वाhaving madeनासाभ्यन्तरचारिणौmoving within the nose
Read literallyouter contacts · having made · outside · outer · the eyes · and indeed · between · the eyebrows · the inward and outward breaths · equal · having made · moving within the nose
Understanding the verse
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It shifts attention from outer stimulation to bodily regulation, creating the conditions for a steadier mind.
Withdraw the senses from outer objects, steady the gaze, and balance the breath. This prepares the mind for deep inward focus.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is being taught how to recover inner mastery. After describing the liberated one, Krishna gives the practical method: withdraw the senses, steady the eyes, and regulate the breath. It is a supporting step in a larger discipline.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You sit in the car before walking into a room where one conversation could change everything. Before the door opens, you breathe, settle your eyes, and stop feeding the noise.
The takeaway
“Stillness begins with deliberate restraint, not with forcing the mind to obey.”
Withdraw the senses from outer objects, steady the gaze, and balance the breath. This prepares the mind for deep inward focus.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.27?
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 5.27?
Verse 27 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 5.27 matter today?
You sit in the car before walking into a room where one conversation could change everything. Before the door opens, you breathe, settle your eyes, and stop feeding the noise.
It shifts attention from outer stimulation to bodily regulation, creating the conditions for a steadier mind.
What this verse means
Withdraw the senses from outer objects, steady the gaze, and balance the breath. This prepares the mind for deep inward focus.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is being taught how to recover inner mastery. After describing the liberated one, Krishna gives the practical method: withdraw the senses, steady the eyes, and regulate the breath. It is a supporting step in a larger discipline.
Why this verse still matters
You sit in the car before walking into a room where one conversation could change everything. Before the door opens, you breathe, settle your eyes, and stop feeding the noise.
“Stillness begins with deliberate restraint, not with forcing the mind to obey.”