Shloka 5

Kapila’s Conclusion: Limits of Karma and Yoga; Supremacy of Bhakti and Qualification to Receive the Teaching

Devanagari script

ये स्वधर्मान्न दुह्यन्ति धीरा: कामार्थहेतवे । नि:सङ्गा न्यस्तकर्माण: प्रशान्ता: शुद्धचेतस: ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

ye sva-dharmān na duhyanti dhīrāḥ kāmārtha-hetave niḥsaṅgā nyasta-karmāṇaḥ praśāntāḥ śuddha-cetasaḥ

Translation

The steady and wise do not milk their svadharma for desire and gain; free from attachment, they offer up their work, remain tranquil, and dwell in purified consciousness.

Synonyms

• ये: who
• ये: कर्ता (Kartā; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• स्व-धर्मान्: one's own duties
• स्व-धर्मान्: कर्म (Karma; object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वधर्म (प्रातिपदिक) = स्व + धर्म
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास ('स्वः धर्मः')

• न: not
• न: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha; negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• दुह्यन्ति: milk/exploit (for gain)
• दुह्यन्ति: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दुह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• धीराः: the steadfast (wise)
• धीराः: कर्ता (Kartā; apposition to 'ये')
• Type: Noun
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• काम-अर्थ-हेतवे: for the sake of desire and gain
• काम-अर्थ-हेतवे: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna; purpose/for the sake of)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कामार्थहेतु (प्रातिपदिक) = काम + अर्थ + हेतु
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (उद्देश्य/प्रयोजन: 'कामार्थयोः हेतुः')

• नि:सङ्गाः: detached
• नि:सङ्गाः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa; qualifier of 'ये/धीराः')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निःसङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• न्यस्त-कर्माणः: having laid aside actions
• न्यस्त-कर्माणः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: न्यस्तकर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) = न्यस्त + कर्मन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (कर्मधारय/कृत-समास: 'न्यस्तानि कर्माणि येषाम्'—sense close to बहुव्रीहि)

• प्रशान्ताः: peaceful
• प्रशान्ताः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशान्त (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त from √शम्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used adjectivally)

• शुद्ध-चेतसः: of pure mind
• शुद्ध-चेतसः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्धचेतस् (प्रातिपदिक) = शुद्ध + चेतस्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास ('शुद्धं चेतः येषाम्'—sense also bahuvrīhi-like)

Purport

The first-class example of this type of man is Arjuna. Arjuna was a kṣatriya, and his occupational duty was to fight. Generally, kings fight to extend their kingdoms, which they rule for sense gratification. But as far as Arjuna is concerned, he declined to fight for his own sense gratification. He said that although he could get a kingdom by fighting with his relatives, he did not want to fight with them. But when he was ordered by Kṛṣṇa and convinced by the teachings of Bhagavad-gītā that his duty was to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, then he fought. Thus he fought not for his sense gratification but for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahūti

FAQs

What are the qualities of a devotee described in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 32?

This verse highlights sobriety, detachment, freedom from material association, giving up selfish fruitive work, inner peace, and purified consciousness.

Why does Lord Kapila discourage using svadharma for kama and artha?

Because exploiting duty for lust and material gain keeps one bound to selfish motivation, whereas true spiritual progress requires detachment and purified intent aligned with devotion.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life while working and supporting a family?

Do your responsibilities ethically, but avoid making sense enjoyment and profit the ultimate goal; offer the results to God, reduce unhealthy attachments, and cultivate a peaceful, purified mind through devotion.