One who has controlled the senses, mind, and intellect, who seeks freedom as the highest aim, and who is free from desire, fear, and anger is forever free.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 5.28
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. Tap a word to focus on it.
यतेन्द्रियमनःबुद्धिःwith senses, mind, and intellect controlledमुनिःthe sageमोक्षपरायणःhaving freedom as the highest aimविगतेच्छाभयक्रोधःfree from desire, fear, and angerयःwhoसदाalwaysमुक्तःfreeएवindeedसःthat one
Read literallywith senses, mind, and intellect controlled · the sage · having freedom as the highest aim · free from desire, fear, and anger · who · always · free · indeed · that one
Understanding the verse
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With senses, mind and intellect mastered and desire, fear and anger gone, the sage is free forever.
A person who has mastered the senses, mind, and intellect, and has let go of desire, fear, and anger, lives in freedom already.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps pointing toward inner release. After describing disciplined meditation, Krishna says the person who has mastered the senses, mind, and intellect is already free, even before the body falls.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Before a cricket final, a young bowler keeps his head steady, without dreaming of the trophy, dreading the crowd or fuming at the umpire. Krishna's free sage is that steadiness made permanent, with desire, fear and anger set down for good.
The takeaway
“Master the senses and drop desire, fear and anger, and freedom is already here.”
Explore related themes: vairagya(51 verses), manas(49 verses), moksha(34 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 5.28 mean?
A person who has mastered the senses, mind, and intellect, and has let go of desire, fear, and anger, lives in freedom already.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.28?
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 5.28?
Verse 28 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 5.28 matter today?
Before a cricket final, a young bowler keeps his head steady, without dreaming of the trophy, dreading the crowd or fuming at the umpire. Krishna's free sage is that steadiness made permanent, with desire, fear and anger set down for good.
With senses, mind and intellect mastered and desire, fear and anger gone, the sage is free forever.
What this verse means
A person who has mastered the senses, mind, and intellect, and has let go of desire, fear, and anger, lives in freedom already.
Context & commentary
Krishna keeps pointing toward inner release. After describing disciplined meditation, Krishna says the person who has mastered the senses, mind, and intellect is already free, even before the body falls.
What it looks like today
Before a cricket final, a young bowler keeps his head steady, without dreaming of the trophy, dreading the crowd or fuming at the umpire. Krishna's free sage is that steadiness made permanent, with desire, fear and anger set down for good.
“Master the senses and drop desire, fear and anger, and freedom is already here.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), manas (49 verses), moksha (34 verses)