Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5 · Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 5.4 साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः
श्लोक 5.4
साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः ।
एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम् ॥
sāṅkhyayogau pṛthagbālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ |
ekamapyāsthitaḥ samyagubhayorvindate phalam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
ज्ञानयोग (सांख्य) और कर्मयोग को अलग-अलग फल देने वाला नासमझ लोग कहते हैं, ज्ञानी नहीं। इनमें से एक में भी भली-भाँति स्थित मनुष्य दोनों का फल पा लेता है।
Meaning in English
It is the naive, not the wise, who speak of the path of knowledge (Sankhya) and the path of action (Yoga) as different. One who is truly established in even one gains the fruit of both.
Bhagavad Gita 5.4 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| साङ्ख्ययोगौ | sāṅkhya-yogau | the path of knowledge and the path of action |
| पृथक् | pṛthak | as different |
| बालाः | bālāḥ | the childish |
| प्रवदन्ति | pravadanti | declare |
| न पण्डिताः | na paṇḍitāḥ | not the wise |
| एकम् अपि | ekam api | even one |
| आस्थितः | āsthitaḥ | established in |
| सम्यक् | samyak | properly |
| उभयोः | ubhayoḥ | of both |
| विन्दते | vindate | obtains |
| फलम् | phalam | the fruit |
Explanation
Only the immature speak of the path of knowledge and the path of action as different; the wise do not. Whoever is properly established in even one of them gains the fruit of both. The goal they reach is the same, though the approach differs.
Here Sankhya means the way of knowledge and renunciation, not the later philosophical school, and Yoga means selfless action. Krishna softens the contrast Arjuna drew in 5.1. Shankara reads it as saying the two paths converge in one result, liberation through knowledge. Ramanuja sees both as means to realise the self, with action including the knowledge that the self is not the doer. Aurobindo took such verses as evidence that the Gita offers a synthesis of paths rather than a choice between rival methods.
भावार्थ
ज्ञानयोग और कर्मयोग को अज्ञानी लोग अलग-अलग फल देने वाले बताते हैं, ज्ञानी नहीं। इनमें से किसी एक में भी भली-भाँति स्थित पुरुष दोनों का फल पा लेता है। दोनों का लक्ष्य एक ही है।
Living it today
Rather than arguing whether study or service is the better path, commit sincerely to one; done well, it opens the door to the other.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 5.4?
Only the immature speak of the path of knowledge and the path of action as different; the wise do not. Whoever is properly established in even one of them gains the fruit of both. The goal they reach is the same, though the approach differs.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.4?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 5 (Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 5.4 in daily life?
Rather than arguing whether study or service is the better path, commit sincerely to one; done well, it opens the door to the other.
Reflected on verse 5.4?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.