Bhagavad Gita · Verse 5.8
Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga (कर्मसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
नैव किञ्चित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित् । पश्यञ्शृण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपन्श्वसन् ॥८॥
naiva kiñcitkaromīti yukto manyeta tattvavit | paśyañśṛṇvanspṛśañjighrannaśnangacchansvapanśvasan ||8||
Complete Shloka Translation
The truth-knowing person established in yoga should understand, “I do nothing at all,” even while seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, walking, sleeping, and breathing.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तत्त्ववित् | tattvavit | knower of truth |
| श्वसन् | śvasan | breathing |
| नैव | naiva | [term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab... |
| किञ्चित्करोमीति | kiñcitkaromīti | [term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab... |
| युक्तो | yukto | [term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab... |
| मन्येत | manyeta | [term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab... |
| पश्यञ्शृण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपन्श्वसन् | paśyañśṛṇvanspṛśañjighrannaśnangacchansvapanśvasan | [term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab... |
knower of truth
breathing
[term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab...
[term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab...
[term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab...
[term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab...
[term] in context of The truth-knowing person estab...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This sentence continues into 5.9 and describes the truth-knower's understanding. Doing nothing refers to non-agency of the self, not denying ordinary bodily activity.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Observing activity can help separate awareness from possessive claims about it."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What do you notice when observing an ordinary bodily activity?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master calm detachment in daily work: act with full excellence and sincerity, but like water sliding off a lotus leaf, let neither praise nor blame stain your inner composure.