Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 11 (BG 5.11) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

5.11 कायेन by the body? मनसा by the mind? बुद्ध्या by the intellect? केवलैः only? इन्द्रियैः by the senses? अपि also? योगिनः Yogis? कर्म action? कुर्वन्ति perform? सङ्गम् attachment? त्यक्त्वा having abandoned? आत्मशुद्धये for the purification of the self. Commentary Yogis here means Karma Yogis who are devoted to the path of action? who are free from egoism and selfishness? who work for the purification of their hearts without the least attachment to the fruits or results of their actions? and who dedicate all actions to the Lord as their offerings.Kevalam only by (free from egoism and selfishness) applies to the body? mind? intellect and the senses.

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

The endeavor of the karma yogi is to remain established in one's own true nature while witnessing all the events unfolding within and without, without identifying with them—observing them merely as a witness. After practicing this for some time, it becomes clear to him that all actions are performed through the instruments of the body and mind, and the witness has no real connection with them. Yet he must understand that this witnessing, or the witness itself, is not the ultimate truth. Rather, it is the supreme reality peering through the window of the intellect that appears as this witness. Our experience shows that when we observe ourselves acting, we become aware of this witnessing consciousness. The pure consciousness that is the nature of the atman—that is what illuminates even this observer. This is the declaration of the Upanishads. If the supreme truth lies beyond even witnessing, why should the karma yogi practice this witness consciousness? The answer is: for the purification of the inner being. When one acts with witness consciousness, the ego naturally falls away, and the accumulated impressions and desires of the past are gradually destroyed. The greater the dissolution of these desires, the purer and more stable the inner being becomes, and in that clarity, the experience of the supreme Self shines forth distinctly. For the following reason also does the karma yogi perform action with non-attachment: