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Chapter 5 · Verse 11 · Karma Sanyasa Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 5.11

transformative Karma & Action Attachment & Letting Go Self & Identity

Sanskrit

कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि। योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वाऽऽत्मशुद्धये।।5.11।।

Transliteration

kāyena manasā buddhyā kevalair indriyair api yoginaḥ karma kurvanti saṅgaṁ tyaktvātma-śhuddhaye

Word by Word

kāyena with the body
manasā with the mind
buddhyā with the intellect
kevalaiḥ only
indriyaiḥ with the senses
api even
yoginaḥ the yogis
karma actions
kurvanti perform
saṅgam attachment
tyaktvā giving up
ātma of the self
śhuddhaye for the purification
Simplified Perspective

The yogi performs all actions—body, mind, intellect, senses—yet remains untouched by the fruit or the doer-ship itself. This is the paradox of karma yoga: full engagement without ownership, complete participation without possession.

When you act for the purification of your own being rather than for gain or recognition, every deed becomes a medicine that heals the illusion of separation. In modern life, this means bringing your whole self to your work, relationships, and responsibilities while releasing the need to control outcomes or claim credit.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 5.11 — BG 5.11

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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