Chapter 5 Verse 17 | Krishnaverse

Word Meanings

tat-buddhayaḥ	those whose intellect is directed toward God
tat-ātmānaḥ	those whose heart (mind and intellect) is solely absorbed in God
tat-niṣhṭhāḥ	those whose intellect has firm faith in God
tat-parāyaṇāḥ	those who strive after God as the supreme goal and refuge
gachchhanti	go
apunaḥ-āvṛittim	not returning
jñāna	by knowledge
nirdhūta	dispelled
kalmaṣhāḥ	sins

Translation

Their intellect absorbed in That, their self being That, established in That, with That as their supreme goal, they go whence there is no return, their sins dispelled by knowledge.

Philosophical Significance

Core Meaning

When a person fixes their mind on the Divine and sees their true self as one with that Reality, they move beyond the cycle of birth and death. This steady inner turning toward the highest goal brings lasting freedom.

The "sins" being removed means ignorance, wrong identity, and the habits that bind us are cleared by real knowledge—direct understanding of who we truly are, not just moral guilt being punished. Spiritual steadiness matters more than occasional acts.

This verse points to a practical path: steady devotion or focus plus right understanding lead to inner purification and a permanent end to repeating suffering.

Life Application

Set a short daily practice (5–15 minutes) of focused attention toward your highest value—prayer, meditation, or reading that reminds you of your deeper self.
Let that inner aim guide choices: when deciding, ask whether this action supports growing peace and clarity or strengthens fear and reactivity.
Work on self-knowledge through simple reflection: notice habitual reactions, question “Who is reacting?” and gently turn attention back to a calm steady center.

Reflection Question

What holds my attention most often—momentary wants, or a deeper purpose that frees me from fear?