BG 5.5

 

Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 5, Verse 5

Krishna explains that Karma Sannyasa (renunciation) and Karma Yoga (selfless action) ultimately lead to the same spiritual goal.

Sanskrit:

यत्सांख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते ।

एकं सांख्यं च योगं च यः पश्यति स पश्यति ॥

Transliteration:

yat sāṅkhyaiḥ prāpyate sthānaṁ

tad yogair api gamyate

ekaṁ sāṅkhyaṁ ca yogaṁ ca

yaḥ paśyati sa paśyati

Meaning (simple):

The spiritual state reached by the path of knowledge and renunciation (Sankhya/Karma Sannyasa) is also reached by the path of selfless action (Karma Yoga).

One who truly understands that both paths lead to the same goal sees the truth.

Explanation

In this verse, Krishna tells Arjuna:

• Both renouncing actions and performing actions without attachment lead to liberation (moksha).
• The destination is the same, even though the methods look different.
• A wise person understands the unity of these paths.

✨ Key idea:

The difference is mainly in practice, not in the final spiritual result.

If you want, I can also explain Gita 5.4 and 5.6, which clarify this verse even more and show why Krishna recommends Karma Yoga for most people.