Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Shloka 52

Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

Devanagari script

विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः । ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः ॥ १८.५२ ॥

Transliteration

vivikta-sevī laghv-āśī yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ | dhyāna-yoga-paro nityaṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāśritaḥ || 18.52 ||

Translation

Dwelling in solitude, eating lightly, controlling speech, body, and mind; ever devoted to the yoga of meditation, taking refuge in dispassion—

Gita Press Meaning

एकान्तसेवी, अल्पाहारी, वाणी-शरीर-मन को वश में रखने वाला, नित्य ध्यानयोग में तत्पर और वैराग्य को भलीभाँति आश्रय करने वाला—

Critical Edition Meaning

Living in seclusion, eating lightly, controlling speech, body, and mind, constantly devoted to the yoga of meditation, and firmly resorting to dispassion—

Comparative Note

‘Seclusion’ (vivikta) is read both literally (solitude for practice) and functionally (mental non-entanglement). ‘Laghu-āśī’ suggests moderation rather than austerity for its own sake. The verse aligns closely with yogic sādhanā descriptions in other Indian traditions.

Word by Word

• विविक्तसेवी: one who resorts to/keeps to solitude
• विविक्तसेवी: Karta
• Root: विविक्त-सेविन्

• लघ्वाशी: one who eats lightly / of moderate diet
• लघ्वाशी: Karta
• Root: लघु-आशिन्

• यतवाक्कायमानसः: one whose speech, body, and mind are restrained
• यतवाक्कायमानसः: Karta
• Root: यत-वाक्-काय-मानस

• ध्यानयोगपरः: one devoted to the yoga of meditation
• ध्यानयोगपरः: Karta
• Root: ध्यान-योग-पर

• नित्यम्: always; constantly
• Root: नित्य

• वैराग्यम्: dispassion; detachment
• वैराग्यम्: Karma
• Root: वैराग्य

• समुपाश्रितः: having fully taken refuge in; having adopted
• समुपाश्रितः: Karta
• Root: सम्+उप+आ√श्रि (श्रयति)

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Dhyāna (meditation)
• Vairāgya (dispassion)
• Tapas as moderation
• Mind-speech-body discipline

Key Themes

• Contemplative lifestyle
• Moderation and restraint
• Sustained practice

FAQs

Psychological significance?

The verse recommends conditions that reduce distraction—quiet environment, moderate consumption, and behavioral self-regulation—supporting attention and emotional balance.

Metaphysical meaning?

Dispassion and meditation are presented as proximate causes for stabilizing knowledge, allowing consciousness to disengage from transient objects and orient toward ultimate reality.

Contextual relevance?

It continues the practical regimen introduced in 18.51, specifying lifestyle and meditative commitments associated with the ‘supreme culmination of knowledge’ (18.50).

Modern Application?

Create regular quiet time, adopt mindful eating, and set boundaries for speech and screen time to support consistent contemplation.