In Bhagavad Gita 5.21, Krishna says one unattached to external contacts finds joy in the Self, and united with Brahman through yoga, enjoys inexhaustible happiness.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा
विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम्
स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा
सुखमक्षयमश्नुते ॥ ५-२१ ॥
bāhyasparśeṣvasaktātmā
vindatyātmani yatsukham
sa brahmayogayuktātmā
sukhamakṣayamaśnute
English transliteration baahyasparsheshvasaktaatmaa
vindatyaatmani yatsukham
sa brahmayogayuktaatmaa
sukhamakshayamashnute ॥ 5.21 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One whose mind is unattached to external sense contacts finds the joy that is in the Self. United with Brahman through yoga, such a person enjoys imperishable happiness.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| बाह्यस्पर्शेषु bāhyasparśeṣu | to external contacts bāhya (external) + sparśeṣu (contacts) |
| असक्तात्मा asaktātmā | one whose mind is unattached asakta (unattached) + ātmā (mind) |
| विन्दति vindati | finds |
| आत्मनि ātmani | in the Self |
| यत् yat | which |
| सुखम् sukham | joy |
| सः saḥ | he |
| ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा brahmayogayuktātmā | united with Brahman through yoga brahma (Brahman) + yoga (yoga) + yukta (united) + ātmā (self) |
| सुखम् sukham | happiness |
| अक्षयम् akṣayam | imperishable |
| अश्नुते aśnute | enjoys |
Word-wise Chanting
- bāh–yas–par–śeṣ–va–sak–tāt–mā 8 syllables baah-yas-par-shesh-va-sak-taat-maa
- vin–dat–yāt–ma–ni yat–su–kham | 8 syllables vin-dat-yaat-ma-ni yat-su-kham
- sa brah–ma–yo–ga–yuk–tāt–mā 8 syllables sa brah-ma-yo-ga-yuk-taat-maa
- su–kha–ma–kṣa–ya–maś–nu–te || 5-21 8 syllables su-kha-ma-ksha-ya-mash-nu-te
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 21
Context
Krishna contrasts inner joy with the passing pleasures of the senses (5.21–5.23).
Meaning
External pleasures depend on contact between the senses and objects. When the mind is no longer attached to such contacts, it discovers sukha in the Self, a joy that does not come from outside. Joined to Brahman through yoga, this joy becomes akṣaya, inexhaustible.
Many people never discover this inner joy because they are always looking outward. The Gita invites us to turn within and find a happiness that does not depend on circumstances and cannot be taken away.
In Practice
Spend ten minutes in quiet without any external stimulation. Look for a subtle sense of contentment within, and rest in it.
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.