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Chapter5

Karma-sannyāsa-yoga · 29 verses

Karma-yoga — Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

Work in devotion, give up attachment, and find peace in knowing Kṛṣṇa.

1 · Verse notes (29)2 · Stories (10)Read on Vedabase
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Verse notes

Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.

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  1. BG 5.1Renunciation or Devotional Work?

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    • Arjuna asks Kṛṣṇa which is better: giving up work or working with devotion.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotional service is better and easier than dry mental speculation because it frees one from reactions to work.
    • Rather than simply stopping work, work in devotion with full knowledge.

  2. BG 5.2Work in Devotion Is Better

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    • Both giving up work and working in devotion help one gain liberation, but devotional service is better.
    • Prabhupāda explains that knowing we are spirit souls is not enough; we must act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness to escape material bondage.
    • Use things in Kṛṣṇa’s service, knowing that everything belongs to Him.

  3. BG 5.3True Renunciation

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    • One who neither hates nor desires the results of work is always renounced, free from dualities, and easily freed from material bondage.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a devotee acts for Kṛṣṇa, knowing that Kṛṣṇa is the whole and the devotee is His part.
    • Do your work in loving service to Kṛṣṇa, without hatred or desire for its results.

  4. BG 5.4Two Paths, One Aim

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    • The learned know that following either devotional service or analytical study well brings the results of both.
    • Prabhupāda explains that both aim at Viṣṇu, the Supersoul: analytical study finds Him, and devotional service serves Him.
    • Let your study lead to service to the Lord, the shared goal of both paths.

  5. BG 5.5Two Paths, One Goal

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    • One who sees that analytical study and devotional service reach the same goal sees things as they are.
    • Prabhupāda explains that the soul belongs to the Supreme, not the material world. Both paths lead to self-realization.
    • Become detached from matter by becoming attached to serving Kṛṣṇa.

  6. BG 5.6Happiness Through Devotional Service

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    • Giving up activities without serving the Lord cannot bring happiness. A thoughtful person serving Him can reach the Supreme without delay.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotees find happiness in serving the Lord and are assured of entering God's kingdom, unlike those who merely speculate.
    • Engage in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa rather than merely giving up activities.

  7. BG 5.7Working in Devotion

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    • A pure person who works in devotion and controls his mind and senses is dear to all, loves all, and is never entangled by work.
    • Prabhupāda explains that serving Kṛṣṇa serves all living beings, just as watering a tree’s root nourishes its leaves and branches.
    • Keep your mind on Kṛṣṇa and use your senses in His service, such as hearing about Him and eating food offered to Him.

  8. BG 5.8Acting in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

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    • A person in divine consciousness knows that only the material senses are acting and that he himself is separate from their actions.
    • Prabhupāda explains that such a person remains free because his senses serve Kṛṣṇa rather than seek personal enjoyment.
    • Use your senses to serve and please Kṛṣṇa, remembering that you are His eternal servant.

  9. BG 5.9Senses in Kṛṣṇa’s Service

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    • A person in divine consciousness knows that the material senses act on their objects while he remains separate from them.
    • Prabhupāda explains that such a person remains free because his senses serve Kṛṣṇa rather than seek personal pleasure.
    • Use your senses to serve Kṛṣṇa, remembering that you are His eternal servant.

  10. BG 5.10Working Without Attachment

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    • One who does their duty without attachment and offers the results to the Supreme Lord is untouched by sin, like a lotus leaf by water.
    • Prabhupāda explains that everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa, including our body, which should be used in His service.
    • Do your duty as service to Kṛṣṇa, offering Him the results rather than becoming attached to them.

  11. BG 5.11Acting for Purification

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    • Yogīs give up attachment and act with body, mind, intelligence and senses only for purification.
    • Prabhupāda explains that acting to satisfy Kṛṣṇa purifies our actions and brings no material reactions.
    • Use your body, mind, words and possessions in Kṛṣṇa’s service, knowing that you and your body belong to Him.

  12. BG 5.12Peace Through Devotion to Kṛṣṇa

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    • A steadily devoted soul offers all results to Kṛṣṇa and finds pure peace; greed for results brings entanglement.
    • Prabhupāda explains that one attached to Kṛṣṇa, working only for Him, is liberated and free from anxiety about results.
    • Work for Kṛṣṇa and offer Him the results, rather than seeking profit for your own sense pleasure.

  13. BG 5.13Happy Within the Body

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    • By controlling his nature and mentally renouncing actions, the soul lives happily in the body, neither working nor causing work.
    • Prabhupāda explains that nature’s modes govern bodily activities. Kṛṣṇa consciousness restores the soul’s real position, beyond bodily conditions.
    • Practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness rather than identifying yourself with the material body.

  14. BG 5.14The Soul and Material Nature

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    • The embodied soul does not create actions, make others act, or produce results. The modes of material nature do this.
    • Prabhupāda explains that the soul is distinct from matter but suffers by wrongly identifying with the temporary body.
    • Turn to Kṛṣṇa consciousness: the purport says this alone saves the soul from all material turmoil.

  15. BG 5.15Desire and the Lord

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    • The Supreme Lord does not take on anyone’s sinful or pious acts. Embodied souls are bewildered because ignorance covers their real knowledge.
    • Prabhupāda explains that the Lord allows souls to fulfill their desires but is not responsible for their actions or the results.
    • Desire to attain Kṛṣṇa. The Lord takes special care of those who desire Him and guides them toward eternal happiness.

  16. BG 5.16Knowledge Lights Up Everything

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    • Knowledge destroys ignorance and reveals everything, just as the sun lights up the day.
    • Prabhupāda explains that perfect knowledge comes through surrender to Kṛṣṇa. God and each living being always remain individuals.
    • Seek a genuine spiritual master who is fully Kṛṣṇa conscious, and learn about God and your relationship with Him.

  17. BG 5.17Fixed in Kṛṣṇa

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    • Fixing intelligence, mind, faith and refuge in the Supreme clears all doubts through complete knowledge and leads straight toward liberation.
    • Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme is Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Full Kṛṣṇa consciousness brings perfect spiritual knowledge.
    • Keep your mind, intelligence and faith fixed on Kṛṣṇa, and take shelter in Him to make steady progress toward liberation.

  18. BG 5.18Seeing All with Equal Vision

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    • Through true knowledge, humble sages see a learned, gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and an outcaste with equal vision.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a Kṛṣṇa conscious person sees equally because the Supreme Lord is present as the Supersoul in every heart.
    • Practice looking beyond differences of body or caste, remembering that the Lord is equally kind to every living being.

  19. BG 5.19Freedom Through Equal Vision

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    • Those whose minds are steady in equal vision have conquered birth and death and are already flawless and situated in Brahman.
    • Prabhupāda explains that this steadiness marks self-realization. Such liberated souls can enter the spiritual sky after death.
    • Work toward a steady mind, free from attraction and hatred.

  20. BG 5.20Steady in Self-Realization

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    • One who neither rejoices at pleasant gains nor laments over unpleasant events, remains unconfused, and knows God is already in transcendence.
    • Prabhupāda explains that the true self is not the body but a fragmental part of the Supreme Lord. This steady understanding is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
    • When facing bodily gains or losses, remember that you are the soul, not the temporary body.

  21. BG 5.21Happiness in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

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    • A liberated person is not attracted to material sense pleasure and enjoys unlimited inner happiness by concentrating on the Supreme.
    • Prabhupāda explains that loving service to Kṛṣṇa brings ever-new pleasure, removing the taste for material enjoyment, especially sex pleasure.
    • Engage in loving service to Kṛṣṇa rather than seeking happiness in material sense pleasure.

  22. BG 5.22Beyond Temporary Sense Pleasures

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    • The wise avoid material sense pleasures because they bring misery and have a beginning and an end.
    • Prabhupāda explains that true yogīs find unlimited spiritual joy in the Supreme Lord, not in temporary pleasures.
    • Accept self-discipline to purify your life rather than work hard for sense pleasure.

  23. BG 5.23Controlling Desire and Anger

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    • One who tolerates sense urges and controls desire and anger before leaving this body is well situated and happy.
    • Prabhupāda explains that unfulfilled material desires cause anger. Controlling the senses and mind supports steady progress in self-realization.
    • Practice controlling the urges of speech, mind, and senses, and work hard to check desire and anger.

  24. BG 5.24Finding Happiness Within

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    • The perfect mystic finds happiness within, is active within, and aims inward. He is liberated in the Supreme and ultimately attains the Supreme.
    • Prabhupāda explains that a liberated person truly enjoys inner happiness and no longer desires material happiness. This state assures return home, back to Godhead.
    • Seek happiness within rather than pursuing superficial material happiness.

  25. BG 5.25The Highest Welfare Work

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    • Those beyond the opposites arising from doubt, focused within, free from sin, and working for all beings’ welfare attain liberation in the Supreme.
    • Prabhupāda explains that only someone fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can do the highest welfare work: restoring people’s awareness of their relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
    • Remember Kṛṣṇa as the supreme enjoyer, owner, and friend, and help others remember Him.

  26. BG 5.26Liberation Through Devotional Service

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    • Self-realized, disciplined people who are free from anger and material desires and keep striving for perfection will soon attain liberation in the Supreme.
    • Prabhupāda explains that devotional service to Kṛṣṇa uproots deep desires to enjoy the results of work and brings liberation very quickly.
    • Keep thinking of Kṛṣṇa and engage in His devotional service.

  27. BG 5.27Yoga and Sense Control

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    • The verse describes shutting out sense objects, focusing between the eyebrows and restraining the breath. Controlling the mind, senses and intelligence leads to freedom from desire, fear and anger, and to liberation.
    • Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the easiest way to practice yoga principles. Devotional service controls the senses better than aṣṭāṅga-yoga.
    • Engage in devotional service to understand your spiritual identity and the Supreme Lord.

  28. BG 5.28Sense Control and Liberation

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    • By controlling the mind, senses and intelligence, one becomes free from desire, fear and anger. One always in this state is liberated.
    • Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the easiest way to practice yoga principles. Devotional service controls the senses better than aṣṭāṅga-yoga.
    • Keep engaged in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa to keep your senses from being drawn elsewhere.

  29. BG 5.29The Formula for Peace

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    • Peace comes from fully knowing Kṛṣṇa as the receiver of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and everyone's well-wisher.
    • Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa owns everything and we are His eternal servants. Perfect peace comes only through complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service.
    • Offer your work to Kṛṣṇa, remembering that He is the master and you are His servant.
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Stories

The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.

The story · An ascetic is sent to a butcher in Mithilā whose wisdom about family duty and truth surpasses assumptions based on profession.

What the verses say · Kṛṣṇa teaches that work in devotional service is better than renouncing work, and that humble sages see different living beings with equal vision.

BG 5.2-7BG 5.18
Back to step 1Arjuna's journeyNext · Step 3 of 7 · 10 minThe key ideasSee how karma, the soul, devotion and surrender link together. Follow a guided path.