Bhagavad Gita — Karma Sannyasa Yoga, Shloka 25

Karma Sannyasa Yoga

Devanagari script

लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः । छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥ ५.२५ ॥

Transliteration

labhante brahma-nirvāṇam ṛṣayaḥ kṣīṇa-kalmaṣāḥ | chinna-dvaidhā yatātmānaḥ sarva-bhūta-hite ratāḥ || 5.25 ||

Translation

Los ṛṣi, cuyas impurezas han sido consumidas, cuyas dudas han sido cortadas, que han dominado la mente y se deleitan en el bien de todos los seres, obtienen el nirvāṇa en Brahman (la paz suprema / la liberación).

Gita Press Meaning

जिनके पाप नष्ट हो गये हैं, जिनके संशय मिट गये हैं, जिन्होंने मन को वश में कर लिया है और जो सब प्राणियों के हित में लगे रहते हैं—वे ऋषिजन ब्रह्मनिर्वाण (परम शान्ति/मोक्ष) को प्राप्त होते हैं।

Critical Edition Meaning

The seers—whose impurities have been exhausted, whose inner dualities are cut off, who are self-controlled, and who delight in the welfare of all beings—attain brahma-nirvāṇa (the quiescence/liberation associated with Brahman).

Comparative Note

The verse is textually stable across common recensions; differences are mainly interpretive. “brahma-nirvāṇa” is read variously as (a) liberation into/with Brahman (non-dual or Vedāntic readings), (b) the “extinction” of egoic afflictions culminating in liberation (yogic/ascetic readings), or (c) the peace of one established in Brahman while living. “ṛṣayaḥ” may be taken narrowly as Vedic seers/ascetics or broadly as spiritually mature practitioners.

Word by Word

• लभन्ते: attain, obtain
• Root: √लभ्

• ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम्: Brahman-nirvāṇa (extinction/absorption in Brahman)
• ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम्: Karma
• Root: ब्रह्मनिर्वाण

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: Karta
• Root: ऋषि

• क्षीणकल्मषाः: those whose impurities (sins) are exhausted
• Root: क्षीणकल्मष

• छिन्नद्वैधाः: those whose doubts are cut asunder
• Root: छिन्नद्वैध

• यतात्मानः: self-controlled (those with restrained mind/self)
• Root: यतात्मन्

• सर्वभूतहिते: in the welfare of all beings
• सर्वभूतहिते: Adhikarana
• Root: सर्वभूतहित

• रताः: engaged, devoted, delighting (in)
• Root: रत

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Brahman
• Nirvāṇa (as liberation/cessation)
• Karma (ethical purification)
• Saṃśaya (doubt) and its resolution
• Yama/Nigraha (self-restraint)
• Sarvabhūta-hita (universal welfare)

Key Themes

• Liberation through purification and insight
• Integration of contemplation and ethical concern
• Overcoming inner conflict (dualities) as a spiritual task
• Self-mastery as a condition for peace

FAQs

Psychological significance?

The verse links well-being to reduced mental “impurities” (habitual reactivity and guilt), the resolution of doubt, and disciplined attention (yatātmānaḥ). It suggests that inner calm is stabilized when one is not preoccupied with self-centered aims and instead maintains a prosocial orientation (sarvabhūta-hite ratāḥ).

Metaphysical meaning?

Metaphysically, “brahma-nirvāṇa” indicates a culminating state associated with Brahman—interpreted as liberation, profound peace, or abiding in the ultimate reality. The conditions named—purification, non-duplicity (chinna-dvaidhā), and self-control—are presented as prerequisites for realizing that state.

Contextual relevance?

In Chapter 5 (Karmasaṃnyāsa-yoga), Krishna emphasizes that renunciation and disciplined action converge when guided by knowledge. This verse continues the argument that liberation is compatible with active concern for others, not merely withdrawal, and that inner renunciation involves removing doubt and ego-driven conflict.

Modern Application?

As a practical ethic, the verse can be read as recommending (1) reflective practices that reduce harmful habits, (2) critical inquiry that resolves paralyzing indecision, (3) self-regulation, and (4) sustained engagement in activities that benefit others—framing these as mutually reinforcing supports for a stable, peaceful life.