Bhagavad Gita — Karma Sannyasa Yoga, Shloka 26

Karma Sannyasa Yoga

Devanagari script

कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् । अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् ॥ ५.२६ ॥

Transliteration

kāma-krodha-viyuktānāṃ yatīnāṃ yata-cetasām | abhito brahma-nirvāṇaṃ vartate viditātmanām || 5.26 ||

Translation

Для подвижников, свободных от вожделения и гнева, самообузданных, с укрощённым умом, познавших Атман, — Брахма-нирвана пребывает повсюду, всегда.

Gita Press Meaning

कामना और क्रोध से रहित, संयमी और मन को वश में करने वाले, आत्मतत्त्व को जानने वाले यतियों के लिए चारों ओर (सर्वदा) ब्रह्मनिर्वाण (परम शान्ति/मोक्ष) विद्यमान रहता है।

Critical Edition Meaning

For ascetics who are free from desire and anger, whose minds are restrained, and who have known the self, the quiescence in Brahman (brahma-nirvāṇa) is present on all sides (i.e., in every respect/at all times).

Comparative Note

Traditional renderings (e.g., Gītā Press) often gloss “abhitaḥ” as ‘always/everywhere’ and explain “brahma-nirvāṇa” as ‘supreme peace’ or ‘mokṣa’. A more literal academic translation keeps “nirvāṇa” as ‘extinguishing/quiescence’ and reads the verse as emphasizing the realized person’s pervasive access to liberation/peace. No major doctrinal divergence is required; the difference is mainly in interpretive paraphrase versus literal phrasing.

Word by Word

• काम: desire
• Root: काम

• क्रोध: anger
• Root: क्रोध

• वियुक्तानाम्: of those who are free from / separated from
• Root: वि-युज् (√युज्)

• यतीनाम्: of ascetics / disciplined strivers
• Root: यति

• यत: restrained
• Root: यम् (√यम्)

• चेतसाम्: of (their) minds
• Root: चेतस्

• अभितः: on all sides / all around / everywhere
• Root: अभितः

• ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम्: Brahman-nirvāṇa (liberation in/into Brahman)
• ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम्: Karta
• Root: ब्रह्मनिर्वाण

• वर्तते: exists / prevails / is present
• Root: √वृत्

• विदित: known / realized
• Root: वि-दा (√दा/√विद्)

• आत्मनाम्: of those whose Self is (thus) known / of the Self-knowers
• Root: आत्मन्

Speakers

• Krishna
• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Moksha
• Atman
• Sannyasa
• Shama (mental restraint)
• Vairagya (dispassion)

Key Themes

• Inner discipline
• Freedom from reactive emotions
• Self-knowledge
• Liberation as present realization
• Renunciant ideal

FAQs

Psychological significance?

The verse links well-being and clarity to the reduction of two destabilizing drives—craving (kāma) and anger (krodha)—and to sustained attentional regulation (yata-cetas). In psychological terms, it depicts a mind less governed by impulsive approach/avoidance reactions, enabling stable composure and reflective insight.

Metaphysical meaning?

Metaphysically, it presents liberation (brahma-nirvāṇa) as closely tied to direct knowledge of the self (viditātman). Rather than treating liberation only as a future event, the phrasing suggests it is ‘present’ for the realized person—an experiential condition grounded in identification with Brahman/ultimate reality.

Contextual relevance?

Chapter 5 discusses the relationship between renunciation (saṃnyāsa) and disciplined action (karma-yoga). This verse reinforces that inner renunciation—freedom from desire and anger, and mastery of mind—supports the state of liberation/peace, aligning with the chapter’s broader reconciliation of contemplative and practical paths.

Modern Application?

Applied today, it can be read as recommending practices that reduce compulsive desire and anger (e.g., mindful pause, ethical reflection, contemplative routines) and cultivate steady attention. The emphasis is not withdrawal from life per se, but training the mind so that equanimity and insight become more available in daily situations.