Verse 5.20 : Karma Sanyasa Yoga "Path of Renunciation"
Verse 20 of 29
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The Translation
“One should neither rejoice upon obtaining what is pleasant, nor grieve upon obtaining what is unpleasant. With steady intellect and free from delusion, the knower of Brahman is established in Brahman.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna details the behavior of a knower of Brahman: they neither rejoice on obtaining the pleasant, nor grieve on obtaining the unpleasant, remaining steady.
Practical Application
1
If you receive good news today, enjoy it calmly without letting it inflate your ego; if you receive bad news, accept it without letting it destroy your day.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- How can you practice this balanced response (no high excitement, no deep grief) when you receive daily good or bad news?
- Why is delusion (*moha*) the cause of emotional mood swings?
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5.20
न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम्
The knower of Brahman has realized that external objects are impermanent. Since they do not identify with the body and senses, they do not view objects as 'pleasant' or 'unpleasant' in a binding sense. They remain stable in the Self.