In Bhagavad Gita 5.26, Krishna says that for ascetics free from desire and anger, with controlled minds, who know the Self, liberation in Brahman is near on every side.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां
यतीनां यतचेतसाम्
अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं
वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् ॥ ५-२६ ॥
kāmakrodhaviyuktānāṃ
yatīnāṃ yatacetasām
abhito brahmanirvāṇaṃ
vartate viditātmanām
English transliteration kaamakrodhaviyuktaanaam
yateenaam yatachetasaam
abhito brahmanirvaanam
vartate viditaatmanaam ॥ 5.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
For the disciplined ones who are free from desire and anger, who have controlled their minds and realised the Self, liberation in Brahman exists all around them.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कामक्रोधवियुक्तानाम् kāmakrodhaviyuktānām | of those free from desire and anger kāma (desire) + krodha (anger) + viyuktānām (free) |
| यतीनाम् yatīnām | of the disciplined |
| यतचेतसाम् yatacetasām | of controlled minds yata (controlled) + cetasām (minds) |
| अभितः abhitaḥ | all around, near |
| ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् brahmanirvāṇam | liberation in Brahman |
| वर्तते vartate | exists |
| विदितात्मनाम् viditātmanām | of those who have realised the Self vidita (known) + ātmanām (Self) |
Word-wise Chanting
- kā–mak–ro–dha–vi–yuk–tā–nāṃ 8 syllables kaa-mak-ro-dha-vi-yuk-taa-naam
- ya–tī–nāṃ ya–ta–ce–ta–sām | 8 syllables ya-tee-naam ya-ta-che-ta-saam
- a–bhi–to brah–ma–nir–vā–ṇaṃ 8 syllables a-bhi-to brah-ma-nir-vaa-nam
- var–ta–te vi–di–tāt–ma–nām || 5-26 8 syllables var-ta-te vi-di-taat-ma-naam
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 26
Context
Krishna concludes his description of those who reach Brahma-nirvāṇa (5.24–5.26).
Meaning
For those free from desire and anger, disciplined in mind and knowing the Self, liberation is abhitaḥ, all around them: in this life and beyond. It is not a distant destination but an atmosphere in which they live. Freedom surrounds them wherever they go.
The verse brings liberation close. It is not only something achieved at death but a way of being here and now. When desire and anger subside, we can taste this freedom even in the midst of ordinary life.
In Practice
Notice a moment today when you feel free of craving and anger. Recognise it as a taste of liberation, and let it grow.
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.