In Bhagavad Gita 5.5, Krishna says that the state reached by the followers of knowledge is reached also by the followers of action; one who sees them as one truly sees.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यत्साङ्ख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं
तद्योगैरपि गम्यते
एकं साङ्ख्यं च योगं च
यः पश्यति स पश्यति ॥ ५-५ ॥
yatsāṅkhyaiḥ prāpyate sthānaṃ
tadyogairapi gamyate
ekaṃ sāṅkhyaṃ ca yogaṃ ca
yaḥ paśyati sa paśyati
English transliteration yatsaankhyaih praapyate sthaanam
tadyogairapi gamyate
ekam saankhyam cha yogam cha
yah pashyati sa pashyati ॥ 5.5 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The state reached by those on the path of knowledge is also reached by those on the path of action. One who sees knowledge and action as one truly sees.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यत् yat | which |
| साङ्ख्यैः sāṅkhyaiḥ | by those on the path of knowledge |
| प्राप्यते prāpyate | is attained |
| स्थानम् sthānam | state |
| तत् tat | that |
| योगैः yogaiḥ | by those on the path of action |
| अपि api | also |
| गम्यते gamyate | is reached |
| एकम् ekam | one |
| साङ्ख्यम् sāṅkhyam | knowledge |
| च ca | and |
| योगम् yogam | action |
| च ca | and |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| पश्यति paśyati | sees |
| सः saḥ | he |
| पश्यति paśyati | sees |
Word-wise Chanting
- yat–sāṅ–khyaiḥ prāp–ya–te sthā–naṃ 8 syllables yat-saan-khyaih praap-ya-te sthaa-nam
- tad–yo–gai–ra–pi gam–ya–te | 8 syllables tad-yo-gai-ra-pi gam-ya-te
- e–kaṃ sāṅ–khyaṃ ca yo–gaṃ ca 8 syllables e-kam saan-khyam cha yo-gam cha
- yaḥ paś–ya–ti sa paś–ya–ti || 5-5 8 syllables yah pash-ya-ti sa pash-ya-ti
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 5
Context
Krishna continues to affirm the unity of the two paths (5.4).
Meaning
The goal, sthāna, is one, whether reached by contemplation or by selfless action. The phrase “one who sees them as one truly sees” suggests that real vision perceives unity beneath apparent differences. To see paths as rival is to see only surfaces.
This verse is an invitation to integration. In a balanced spiritual life, knowledge and action support each other: understanding guides action, and action deepens understanding. Seeing their unity is itself a mark of wisdom.
In Practice
Combine knowledge and action today: study one teaching in the morning and practise it consciously during the day.
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.