Chapter 18 Verse 51-53
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्याऽऽत्मानं नियम्य च।शब्दादीन् विषयांस्त्यक्त्वा रागद्वेषौ व्युदस्य च।।18.51।। विविक्तसेवी लघ्वाशी यतवाक्कायमानसः।ध्यानयोगपरो नित्यं वैराग्यं समुपाश्रितः।।18.52।। अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम्।विमुच्य निर्ममः शान्तो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते।।18.53।।
buddhyā viśhuddhayā yukto dhṛityātmānaṁ niyamya cha śhabdādīn viṣhayāns tyaktvā rāga-dveṣhau vyudasya cha vivikta-sevī laghv-āśhī yata-vāk-kāya-mānasaḥ dhyāna-yoga-paro nityaṁ vairāgyaṁ samupāśhritaḥ ahankāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ parigraham vimuchya nirmamaḥ śhānto brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
Word Meanings
| buddhyā | intellect |
| viśhuddhayā | purified |
| yuktaḥ | endowed with |
| dhṛityā | by determination |
| ātmānam | the intellect |
| niyamya | restraining |
| cha | and |
| śhabda-ādīn viṣhayān | sound and other objects of the senses |
| tyaktvā | abandoning |
| rāga-dveṣhau | attachment and aversion |
| vyudasya | casting aside |
| cha | and |
| vivikta-sevī | relishing solitude |
| laghu-āśhī | eating light |
| yata | controls |
| vāk | speech |
| kāya | body |
| mānasaḥ | and mind |
| dhyāna-yoga-paraḥ | engaged in meditation |
| nityam | always |
| vairāgyam | dispassion |
| samupāśhritaḥ | having taken shelter of |
| ahankāram | egotism |
| balam | violence |
| darpam | arrogance |
| kāmam | desire |
| krodham | anger |
| parigraham | selfishness |
| vimuchya | being freed from |
| nirmamaḥ | without possessiveness of property |
| śhāntaḥ | peaceful |
| brahma-bhūyāya | union with Brahman |
| kalpate | is fit |
Translation
Endowed with a pure intellect, controlling the self through firmness, relinquishing sound and other objects and abandoning attraction and hatred. Dwelling in solitude, eating sparingly, with speech, body, and mind subdued, always engaged in meditation and concentration, and resorting to dispassion. Having abandoned egoism, strength, arrogance, desire, anger, and covetousness, and being free from the notion of 'mine' and peaceful, he is fit for becoming Brahman.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
A clear and pure mind, steady self-control, and firm inner discipline free a person from being pulled by sights, sounds, likes, and dislikes. This inner control is not harsh force but calm restraint of speech, body, and mind.
Living simply—seeking quiet, eating lightly, and practicing regular meditation—builds a steady habit of dispassion. This means caring less for small gains and losses and more for inner clarity and freedom.
When ego, pride, anger, desire, greed, and the feeling of “mine” are dropped, a person becomes peaceful and ready to realize their deepest spiritual nature. The verse points to inner change as the true path to union with the divine.
Life Application
- Start small: set aside 5–15 minutes daily for quiet meditation or focused breathing to steady your mind and reduce reactivity.
- Simplify one area of life this week (food, media, or buying) and notice how less stimulation helps calm speech and thoughts.
- When you feel strong emotion or possessiveness, pause and name it (ego, anger, desire) before acting; choose a calm, non-reactive response.
Reflection Question
What one habit can I ease or let go of today to feel calmer and less attached?