In Bhagavad Gita 5.7, Krishna describes the yogi who is pure, self-controlled and master of the senses, whose self has become the self of all beings; though acting, he is not tainted.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा
विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः
सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा
कुर्वन्नपि न लिप्यते ॥ ५-७ ॥
yogayukto viśuddhātmā
vijitātmā jitendriyaḥ
sarvabhūtātmabhūtātmā
kurvannapi na lipyate
English transliteration yogayukto vishuddhaatmaa
vijitaatmaa jitendriyah
sarvabhootaatmabhootaatmaa
kurvannapi na lipyate ॥ 5.7 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who is steadfast in yoga, pure in heart, self-controlled, with senses mastered, and whose self has become the self of all beings, is not tainted even though acting.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| योगयुक्तः yogayuktaḥ | steadfast in yoga |
| विशुद्धात्मा viśuddhātmā | pure in heart viśuddha (pure) + ātmā (heart, self) |
| विजितात्मा vijitātmā | self-controlled vijita (conquered) + ātmā (self) |
| जितेन्द्रियः jitendriyaḥ | with senses mastered jita (mastered) + indriyaḥ (senses) |
| सर्वभूतात्मभूतात्मा sarvabhūtātmabhūtātmā | whose self has become the self of all beings sarva (all) + bhūta (beings) + ātma (self) + bhūta (become) + ātmā (self) |
| कुर्वन् kurvan | acting |
| अपि api | even |
| न na | not |
| लिप्यते lipyate | is tainted |
Word-wise Chanting
- yo–ga–yuk–to vi–śud–dhāt–mā 8 syllables yo-ga-yuk-to vi-shud-dhaat-maa
- vi–ji–tāt–mā ji–ten–dri–yaḥ | 8 syllables vi-ji-taat-maa ji-ten-dri-yah
- sar–va–bhū–tāt–ma–bhū–tāt–mā 8 syllables sar-va-bhoo-taat-ma-bhoo-taat-maa
- kur–van–na–pi na lip–ya–te || 5-7 8 syllables kur-van-na-pi na lip-ya-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 7
Context
Krishna describes the karma yogi who attains Brahman (5.7–5.12).
Meaning
This yogi is purified, self-controlled and master of the senses. Most beautifully, their self has become the self of all beings: they feel others’ joys and sorrows as their own. Acting from this universal identity, they are never tainted by action, for there is no selfish motive.
The phrase sarvabhūtātmabhūtātmā expresses the Gita’s ideal of universal love grounded in unity. When we see ourselves in all, ethical action becomes natural. We cannot harm another without harming ourselves.
In Practice
When you deal with someone today, imagine for a moment that you are in their place. Let that guide your words and actions.
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.