In Bhagavad Gita 5.6, Krishna says that renunciation is hard to attain without the yoga of action, while the sage engaged in yoga reaches Brahman quickly.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो
दुःखमाप्तुमयोगतः
योगयुक्तो मुनिर्ब्रह्म
नचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥ ५-६ ॥
saṃnyāsastu mahābāho
duḥkhamāptumayogataḥ
yogayukto munirbrahma
nacireṇādhigacchati
English transliteration samnyaasastu mahaabaaho
duhkhamaaptumayogatah
yogayukto munirbrahma
nachirenaadhigachchhati ॥ 5.6 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But renunciation, O mighty-armed, is difficult to attain without yoga. The sage who is steadfast in yoga quickly attains Brahman.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| संन्यासः saṃnyāsaḥ | renunciation |
| तु tu | but |
| महाबाहो mahābāho | O mighty-armed |
| दुःखम् duḥkham | difficult |
| आप्तुम् āptum | to attain |
| अयोगतः ayogataḥ | without yoga |
| योगयुक्तः yogayuktaḥ | steadfast in yoga yoga (yoga) + yuktaḥ (steadfast) |
| मुनिः muniḥ | the sage |
| ब्रह्म brahma | Brahman |
| न चिरेण na cireṇa | quickly |
| अधिगच्छति adhigacchati | attains |
Word-wise Chanting
- saṃn–yā–sas–tu ma–hā–bā–ho 8 syllables samn-yaa-sas-tu ma-haa-baa-ho
- duḥ–kha–māp–tu–ma–yo–ga–taḥ | 8 syllables duh-kha-maap-tu-ma-yo-ga-tah
- yo–ga–yuk–to mu–nir–brah–ma 8 syllables yo-ga-yuk-to mu-nir-brah-ma
- na–ci–re–ṇā–dhi–gac–cha–ti || 5-6 8 syllables na-chi-re-naa-dhi-gach-chha-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 6
Context
Krishna explains why karma yoga is recommended (5.2) for most seekers.
Meaning
Without the purifying discipline of karma yoga, true renunciation is hard to achieve. One who renounces outwardly while the mind is still full of desire faces difficulty and frustration. But the sage who practises yoga in action purifies the mind and soon reaches Brahman.
The verse is realistic: we cannot jump to the end of the path. Karma yoga prepares the ground for deep renunciation. It is like learning to swim in shallow water before going into the deep sea.
In Practice
Rather than making a dramatic renunciation, practise small daily acts of selfless service. Let them prepare your heart for deeper freedom.
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.