Ch.5: Communion through Renunciation
Sanksrit Verses
The Chapter begins with a question from the confused Arjuna as to which path karma yoga (the path of unattached action), or sankhya yoga (the path of Knowledge) is better?
Answering the question in the second verse, the Lord says that both these are paths to the same goal and hence both are similar. He also says that karmayogaH is better because it can be practiced more easily in day to day life. He then says that a karmayogi is one who neither hates anyone nor craves for anything. A true renouncer whose mind is pure, whose senses are under control and who has identified himself with the Lord is not bound, though engaged in work. Such a karmayogi attains brahman quickly.
One who does all work as an offering to the lord, without greed and attachment to the fruits of work, is untouched by sin as a lotus leaf is untouched by water and it is he who attains nirvana and does not reincarnate. A Self realized person looks at the rich or the poor, learned or uneducated, saint or sinner, untouchable, even a cow, an elephant, or even a dog with equal respect.
The Lord then introduces the path of meditation and says that it can help both a karma yogi as well as a sankhyayogi to realize God. The Lord says that for a man who finds himself unable to follow any of these paths, bhakthiyoga (the path of meditation) is the tool which would lead to the attainment of the highest goal He concludes the chapter saying
bhoktaaraM yaGYatapasaaM sarvalokamaheshvaraM
suhR^idaM sarvabhuutaanaaM GYaatvaa maaM shaantimR^ichchati
God is not merely a distant World ruler but an intimate friend and helper ever ready to assist us in overcoming evil, if we lay trust in him.
