निर्मानमोहा जितसङ्गदोषा
अध्यात्मनित्या विनिवृत्तकामा: ।
द्वन्द्वैर्विमुक्ता: सुखदु:खसंज्ञै-
र्गच्छन्त्यमूढा: पदमव्ययं तत् ॥ ५ ॥
nirmāna-mohā jita-saṅga-doṣhā
adhyātma-nityā vinivṛitta-kāmāḥ
dvandvair vimuktāḥ sukha-duḥkha-sanjñair
gachchhanty amūḍhāḥ padam avyayaṁ tat
श्लोक ५: जो मनुष्य अहंकार व भ्रम से मुक्त हैं, जिन्होंने दोषपूर्ण संगत को त्याग दिया है, और स्वयं को आध्यात्मिक पथ पर समर्पित कर दिया है, जिन्होंने स्वार्थी इच्छाओं को त्याग दिया है, जो सुख और दुख से प्रभावित नहीं होते, जो कभी मोहग्रस्त नहीं होते, वे उस शाश्वत स्थिति को प्राप्त कर लेते हैं।
Shloka 5: One who is free from pride and delusion, having conquered over faulty association, devoted to the spiritual path, has given up all selfish desires, liberated from dualities like pleasure and pain, who are not bewildered, they attain that Eternal State.
The fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita uses the imagery of a mighty, entangling banyan tree to describe the complexity of material existence and the challenges of attaining spiritual freedom. Verse 15.5 is a pivotal moment in that journey, where Krishna details the inner qualities necessary for a soul to truly break free from illusion and reach the imperishable, eternal abode. This verse is not merely a checklist but a portrait of the person who is truly ready for liberation.
At the heart of Krishna’s message is the need to become “free from pride and delusion” (nirmāna-moha). Pride, or the constant assertion of “I” and “mine,” ropes us into thinking we are the ultimate doers or controllers. Delusion—mistaking the temporary for the permanent—keeps us trapped in endless cycles of desire and disappointment. Only when these tendencies are transcended does the seeker begin to see things as they truly are, gaining clarity about their place in the universe.
Following this, Krishna speaks of conquering the “faults born of attachment” (jita-saṅga-doṣāḥ). Attachment is the subtle glue that binds us to repetitive patterns, to identities, people, and roles that we think are essential for happiness. Liberation comes not from running away from the world but from transforming one’s relationship with it—letting go of compulsive clinging and the belief that fulfillment lies outside oneself.
Being “anchored constantly in the Self” (adhyātma-nityāḥ) is the next essential quality. True seekers live with continual spiritual awareness, not as a compartmentalized practice but as a natural part of daily life. This steadfast contemplation of the Self or the Divine acts like a compass, always pointing one toward the deeper reality beneath changing circumstances.
Krishna then highlights those “retired from material desires” (vinivṛtta-kāmāḥ)—those who no longer chase sense pleasures as the meaning of life. This does not mean becoming inert but rising above obsession with sensual gratification. By stepping back from endless seeking, the mind grows calm, and the heart becomes receptive to subtler joys that do not depend on external conditions.
The verse also mentions freedom from “the pairs of opposites, such as pleasure and pain” (dvandvair vimuktāḥ sukha-duḥkha-saṁjñaiḥ). A person on the path to liberation does not get swept away by the inevitable highs and lows of life. They remain steady, recognizing that both happiness and sorrow are fleeting and surface-level, not the ultimate reality. Such even-mindedness brings deep inner strength and resilience.
All these qualities culminate in the state of being “unbewildered” (amūḍhaḥ). This is clarity and maturity—the understanding that the world’s illusions cannot ultimately satisfy. Such a person is no longer fooled by appearances or temporary successes and failures. Their sight is set on the “padam avyayam” (the eternal, imperishable destination), the Supreme reality that never changes, which is Krishna’s own abode and the soul’s true home.
In summary, this verse shines a light on the inner transformation that precedes surrender to the Divine. The journey begins with humility and proceeds through self-mastery, detachment, and unwavering spiritual focus. The ultimate reward for those who cultivate these qualities is complete freedom—the attainment of the eternal, unchanging Goal that lies beyond the material world’s ever-shifting scenes. What Krishna offers here is a map not just to escape suffering, but to discover a state of peace, clarity, and joy that is truly unshakeable.
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