प्रलपन्विसृजन्गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन्निमिषन्नपि ।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेषु वर्तन्त इति धारयन् ॥ ९ ॥
pralapan visṛijan gṛihṇann unmiṣhan nimiṣhann api
indriyāṇīndriyārtheṣhu vartanta iti dhārayan
श्लोक ९: जो सत्य को समझता है वह मनुष्य बोलते, त्यागते, स्वीकार करते, नेत्र खोलते और बंद करते समय जानता है कि इन्द्रियाँ ,इन्द्रिय विषयों के साथ परस्पर प्रवृत्त हैं।
Shloka 9: While speaking, excreting, accepting, opening, and closing the eyes, a person who understands the truth, understands that the senses are interacting with sense objects.
Bhagavad Gita verses 5.8-9 reveal profound insights about the true nature of the self and action. In these verses, Krishna describes the mindset of one who has realized the truth (tattva-vit) - a person who understands the fundamental distinction between the eternal soul and the temporary physical body.
The enlightened person, even while engaging in various physical activities such as seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving, sleeping, breathing, speaking, giving, taking, and opening or closing their eyes, maintains the understanding that they are not actually the doer of these actions. This realization stems from the knowledge that these activities are merely the natural interactions between the senses and their corresponding objects in the material world.
Krishna explains that such a person recognizes "I do not do anything at all" (naiva kiñcit karomīti). This isn't a denial of the physical reality of action, but rather a profound insight into who is actually performing these actions. The enlightened person understands that it is the body, mind, and senses that engage with the world, while the true self - the soul - remains a witness to these activities.
This understanding comes from directly perceiving that the senses move among sense objects as part of their inherent nature. The phrase "indriyāṇīndriyārtheṣu vartanta" captures this realization - that it is simply the nature of the senses to interact with their corresponding objects. The self remains untouched and unchanged by these interactions, just as a witness remains unaffected by the events they observe.
Such wisdom leads to a state of inner freedom. When one no longer identifies as the doer of actions, they are released from the psychological burden of ownership over actions and their results. This doesn't mean abandoning responsibility or becoming negligent in duties. Rather, it allows one to perform all necessary actions with greater clarity, efficiency, and inner peace, without being bound by attachment to outcomes or fear of failure.
In these verses, Krishna reveals one of the most liberating truths of spiritual wisdom - that our essential nature is one of pure consciousness, not defined by our actions or their results. The sense of agency and ownership over actions comes from identifying with the body and mind, which are influenced by past karma. But this is not our true nature. By understanding this truth, we gain the capacity to engage fully in the world while remaining inwardly free.
This teaching forms the foundation of Karma Yoga as explained in the Bhagavad Gita - the path of selfless action performed without attachment to results. Through this practice, one can live in the world, fulfilling all duties and responsibilities, while maintaining inner peace and spiritual awareness. It offers a practical solution to the challenge of living a spiritual life in the midst of worldly activities, showing that true renunciation is not about giving up action, but about giving up the false identification with being the doer of action.
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