Bhagavad Gita — Karma Sannyasa Yoga, Shloka 17
Karma Sannyasa Yoga
तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणा: | गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषा:॥ ५.१७॥
tad-buddhayas tad-ātmānas tan-niṣṭhās tat-parāyaṇāḥ | gacchanty apunar-āvṛttiṁ jñāna-nirdhūta-kalmaṣāḥ || 5.17 ||
Aqueles cuja inteligência está firmada Nisso, cujo ser está absorvido Nisso, estabelecidos Nisso, tendo Isso como supremo refúgio — com as impurezas varridas pelo conhecimento, alcançam a não-retornância (sem retorno).
जिनकी बुद्धि परमात्मा में स्थित है, जिनका मन-प्राण परमात्मा में तन्मय है, जो परमात्मा में निष्ठावान हैं और जिनका परम लक्ष्य परमात्मा है—वे ज्ञान द्वारा पापरूप मल को धोकर अपुनरावृत्ति (फिर न लौटने वाली) स्थिति को प्राप्त होते हैं।
Those whose understanding is fixed on That, whose self is absorbed in That, who are steadfast in That, and who take That as the supreme goal—having had their impurities removed by knowledge, they go to non-return.
Most editions transmit this verse with minimal variation; interpretive differences mainly concern (a) what “That” (tat) denotes—often Brahman/Īśvara/ultimate reality in Vedāntic readings, or the realized principle of the Self in broader philosophical terms—and (b) the sense of apunar-āvṛtti (“non-return”), understood either as liberation (mokṣa) or as freedom from cyclical re-identification with worldly conditions.
FAQs
The verse describes an integrated mental orientation: cognition (buddhi), sense of self (ātman in the psychological sense), commitment (niṣṭhā), and life-goal (parāyaṇa) converge on a single highest value. In practical terms, this suggests reduced inner conflict and increased clarity, as attention and motivation are not scattered across competing aims.
Metaphysically, “tat” (“That”) points to the ultimate principle—commonly interpreted as Brahman or the realized Self. When knowledge (jñāna) dispels kalmaṣa (defilements/ignorance-associated impurities), one attains apunar-āvṛtti, a state characterized as ‘non-return,’ i.e., liberation from the cycle of repeated bondage.
In Chapter 5, Krishna reconciles disciplined action with renunciation by emphasizing inner detachment and knowledge. This verse summarizes the culmination of that path: steadfast contemplative orientation and insight lead to purification and the final aim described as non-return.
As a non-sectarian application, it can be read as guidance to align one’s intellect, identity, habits, and goals around a coherent ethical and contemplative ideal. The ‘impurities removed by knowledge’ can be understood as cognitive distortions and reactive patterns reduced through study, reflection, and disciplined practice.