Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 24 (BG 5.24) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

5.24 यः who? अन्तःसुखः one whose happiness is within? अन्तरारामः one who rejoices within? तथा also? अन्तर्ज्योतिः one who is illuminated within? एव even? यः who? सः that? योगी Yogi? ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् absolute freedom or Moksha? ब्रह्मभूतः becoming Brahman? अधिगच्छति attains.Commentary Within meansin the Self. He attains Brahmanirvanam or liberation while living. He becomes a Jivanmukta.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

Generally, a human being knows three types of happiness: the pleasure derived from bodily enjoyments, and the joy found in emotions and thoughts. From the three verses mentioned above, it becomes clear that the happiness of one who knows the truth is of a different nature altogether. Therefore, the person who is established in the bliss of the Self, free from desire and anger, is truly a yogi and is genuinely happy. We find it difficult to believe that when the wise one renounces the means of happiness that are universally known, there can still be any joy or contentment in the state described above. How can one experience the pleasure of food after renouncing all kinds of food? It also contradicts reason and experience to think that a human being could ever be satisfied with mere darkness and emptiness. All living beings are seen engaged in their respective fields of activity day and night. There is only one answer to what they are striving to attain through this effort: the achievement of ever-greater happiness and contentment. A state that is merely the absence of all suffering—like sleep—cannot be called the pinnacle of bliss through which a human being can experience complete contentment. For these reasons, the words of the Divine regarding the wise one might be considered an exaggeration. This verse attempts to dispel such a contrary misconception. When the individual soul recognizes its true nature by renouncing false and impermanent things, it is not entering a state of emptiness, but rather experiencing the bliss of the Self within the Self through the Self. In spiritual practice, detachment from the subjects taught is not a cause of suffering; rather, through it the seeker certainly attains happiness and peace. This inner joy of Self-realization remains eternal, unlike the pleasures of the senses which last but a moment. The seeker advancing on the path of self-perfection becomes inwardly joyful and self-contained. His happiness is independent of external objects. His heart remains ever illumined by the light of consciousness. The person established in Self-realization is called a knower of Brahman. Knowing Brahman, he becomes Brahman himself and attains the supreme liberation.