In Bhagavad Gita 5.11, Krishna says yogis perform action with body, mind, intellect and even the senses alone, abandoning attachment, for the purification of the self.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या
केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि
योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति
सङ्गं त्यक्त्वात्मशुद्धये ॥ ५-११ ॥
kāyena manasā buddhyā
kevalairindriyairapi
yoginaḥ karma kurvanti
saṅgaṃ tyaktvātmaśuddhaye
English transliteration kaayena manasaa buddhyaa
kevalairindriyairapi
yoginah karma kurvanti
sangam tyaktvaatmashuddhaye ॥ 5.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Abandoning attachment, yogis perform action with the body, mind, intellect and even the senses alone, for the purification of the self.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कायेन kāyena | with the body |
| मनसा manasā | with the mind |
| बुद्ध्या buddhyā | with the intellect |
| केवलैः kevalaiḥ | alone |
| इन्द्रियैः indriyaiḥ | with the senses |
| अपि api | even |
| योगिनः yoginaḥ | yogis |
| कर्म karma | action |
| कुर्वन्ति kurvanti | perform |
| सङ्गम् saṅgam | attachment |
| त्यक्त्वा tyaktvā | abandoning |
| आत्मशुद्धये ātmaśuddhaye | for self-purification ātma (self) + śuddhaye (for purification) |
Word-wise Chanting
- kā–ye–na ma–na–sā bud–dhyā 8 syllables kaa-ye-na ma-na-saa bud-dhyaa
- ke–va–lai–rin–dri–yai–ra–pi | 8 syllables ke-va-lai-rin-dri-yai-ra-pi
- yo–gi–naḥ kar–ma kur–van–ti 8 syllables yo-gi-nah kar-ma kur-van-ti
- saṅ–gaṃ tyak–tvāt–ma–śud–dha–ye || 5-11 8 syllables san-gam tyak-tvaat-ma-shud-dha-ye
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 5 Verse 11
Context
Krishna explains the purpose of action for the yogi (continuing 5.10).
Meaning
Yogis use every instrument, body, mind, intellect and senses, to perform action, but without attachment. Their aim is ātma-śuddhi, purification of the self: cleansing the mind of selfishness, restlessness and desire. Action becomes a means of inner refinement rather than of worldly gain.
Seen this way, every duty is an opportunity for growth. Difficult work, patience with others and service without reward all polish the mind like a mirror. The purpose of action shifts from getting to becoming.
In Practice
Choose one challenging task today and treat it consciously as a practice for purifying your patience, attention or kindness.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.