Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5 · Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 5.23 शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात्
श्लोक 5.23
शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् ।
कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः ॥
śaknotīhaiva yaḥ soḍhuṃ prākśarīravimokṣaṇāt |
kāmakrodhodbhavaṃ vegaṃ sa yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो मनुष्य शरीर छूटने से पहले इसी जीवन में काम और क्रोध से उठने वाले वेग को सहन कर लेता है, वही योगी है और वही सुखी है।
Meaning in English
One who is able, here in this life before leaving the body, to withstand the surge of desire and anger is a yogi, and is a happy person.
Bhagavad Gita 5.23 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शक्नोति | śaknoti | is able |
| इह एव | iha eva | here itself |
| यः | yaḥ | who |
| सोढुम् | soḍhum | to withstand |
| प्राक् | prāk | before |
| शरीरविमोक्षणात् | śarīra-vimokṣaṇāt | release from the body |
| कामक्रोधोद्भवम् | kāma-krodhodbhavam | arising from desire and anger |
| वेगम् | vegam | the surge |
| सः युक्तः | saḥ yuktaḥ | he is a yogi |
| सः सुखी | saḥ sukhī | he is happy |
| नरः | naraḥ | the person |
Explanation
The one who is able, here in this life before leaving the body, to withstand the surge that arises from desire and anger, is a yogi, and that person is happy. The test of yoga is how one handles these powerful impulses.
Vega, the surge or impulse, is the force of desire and anger as it rises in the body and mind. Shankara stresses that this mastery must be gained while alive, since the body is where these forces arise and the opportunity is lost at death. Ramanuja reads it as practice for the seeker, who must endure these impulses until the self is realised. The verse is practical: happiness is defined not as the absence of desire or anger but as the strength not to be swept away by them.
भावार्थ
जो मनुष्य शरीर छूटने से पहले इसी जीवन में काम और क्रोध से उत्पन्न वेग को सहन करने में समर्थ है, वही योगी है और वही सुखी है। यही योग की सच्ची परीक्षा है।
Living it today
When anger or craving surges, wait it out for a few minutes before acting; each time you do, you grow stronger and calmer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 5.23?
The one who is able, here in this life before leaving the body, to withstand the surge that arises from desire and anger, is a yogi, and that person is happy. The test of yoga is how one handles these powerful impulses.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.23?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 5 (Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 5.23 in daily life?
When anger or craving surges, wait it out for a few minutes before acting; each time you do, you grow stronger and calmer.
Reflected on verse 5.23?
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