In Bhagavad Gita 5.4, Krishna says only the immature see the path of knowledge and the path of action as different; one who truly practises either gains the fruit of both.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः
प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः
एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यग्
उभयोर्विन्दते फलम् ॥ ५-४ ॥
sāṅkhyayogau pṛthagbālāḥ
pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ
ekamapyāsthitaḥ samyag
ubhayorvindate phalam
English transliteration saankhyayogau prithagbaalaah
pravadanti na panditaah
ekamapyaasthitah samyag
ubhayorvindate phalam ॥ 5.4 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The immature, not the wise, speak of the path of knowledge and the path of action as different. One who is truly established in even one of them gains the fruit of both.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| साङ्ख्ययोगौ sāṅkhyayogau | the path of knowledge and the path of action sāṅkhya (knowledge) + yogau (and yoga) |
| पृथक् pṛthak | different |
| बालाः bālāḥ | the immature, children |
| प्रवदन्ति pravadanti | speak |
| न na | not |
| पण्डिताः paṇḍitāḥ | the wise |
| एकम् ekam | one |
| अपि api | even |
| आस्थितः āsthitaḥ | established |
| सम्यक् samyak | truly |
| उभयोः ubhayoḥ | of both |
| विन्दते vindate | gains |
| फलम् phalam | the fruit |
Word-wise Chanting
- sāṅ–khya–yo–gau pṛ–thag–bā–lāḥ 8 syllables saan-khya-yo-gau pri-thag-baa-laah
- pra–va–dan–ti na paṇ–ḍi–tāḥ | 8 syllables pra-va-dan-ti na pan-di-taah
- e–ka–map–yās–thi–taḥ sam–yag– 8 syllables e-ka-map-yaas-thi-tah sam-yag-
- u–bha–yor–vin–da–te pha–lam || 5-4 8 syllables u-bha-yor-vin-da-te pha-lam
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 4
Context
Krishna shows the unity of the two paths (5.4–5.6).
Meaning
Sāṅkhya here means the path of knowledge and renunciation; yoga means the path of selfless action. Only bālas, people with immature understanding, see them as opposed. The wise know that both lead to the same goal. Whoever practises one sincerely and completely receives the fruit of both.
The verse discourages sectarian arguments about which path is best. Sincerity and depth matter more than the label of the path. A devoted worker and a contemplative scholar can reach the same freedom if each walks their path wholeheartedly.
In Practice
Respect someone whose spiritual path differs from yours today. Look for what you share rather than where you differ.
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.