Shloka 6
Kapila’s Conclusion: Limits of Karma and Yoga; Supremacy of Bhakti and Qualification to Receive the Teaching
निवृत्तिधर्मनिरता निर्ममा निरहङ्कृता: । स्वधर्माप्तेन सत्त्वेन परिशुद्धेन चेतसा ॥ ६ ॥
nivṛtti-dharma-niratā nirmamā nirahaṅkṛtāḥ sva-dharmāptena sattvena pariśuddhena cetasā
निवृत्ति-धर्म में रत, ममता और अहंकार से रहित, स्वधर्म से प्राप्त शुद्ध सत्त्व और परिशुद्ध चेतना द्वारा मनुष्य अपने स्वरूप में स्थित होकर सहज ही भगवान के राज्य में प्रवेश करता है।
Here the word nivṛtti-dharma-niratāḥ means “constantly engaging in executing religious activities for detachment.” There are two kinds of religious performances. One is called pravṛtti-dharma, which means the religious activities performed by the gṛhamedhīs for elevation to higher planets or for economic prosperity, the final aim of which is sense gratification. Every one of us who has come to this material world has the sense of overlordship. This is called pravṛtti. But the opposite type of religious performance, which is called nivṛtti, is to act for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Engaged in devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one has no proprietorship claim, nor is one situated in the false egoism of thinking that he is God or the master. He always thinks himself the servant. That is the process of purifying consciousness. With pure consciousness only can one enter into the kingdom of God. Materialistic persons, in their elevated condition, can enter any one of the planets within this material world, but all are subjected to dissolution over and over again.
FAQs
This verse highlights absorption in nivṛtti-dharma (renunciation), freedom from possessiveness (nirmama) and false ego (nirahaṅkṛta), and a purified mind developed through pure sattva gained by properly performing one’s own duty (sva-dharma).
Kapila teaches that real inner renunciation is supported by sincere performance of one’s prescribed duty; when done in purity, it increases sattva and cleanses consciousness, making genuine detachment and spiritual realization possible.
Do your responsibilities conscientiously without claiming ownership (“mine”) or seeking ego-credit (“I am the doer”); cultivate sattva through clean habits and devotion, and let that purity steadily refine the mind.