Chapter 5 Verse 5
Karm Sanyās Yog
यत्सांख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते। एकं सांख्यं च योगं च यः पश्यति स पश्यति।।5.5।।
yat sānkhyaiḥ prāpyate sthānaṁ tad yogair api gamyate ekaṁ sānkhyaṁ cha yogaṁ cha yaḥ paśhyati sa paśhyati
Word Meanings
| yat | what |
| sānkhyaiḥ | by means of karm sanyās |
| prāpyate | is attained |
| sthānam | place |
| tat | that |
| yogaiḥ | by working in devotion |
| api | also |
| gamyate | is attained |
| ekam | one |
| sānkhyam | renunciation of actions |
| cha | and |
| yogam | karm yog |
| cha | and |
| yaḥ | who |
| paśhyati | sees |
| saḥ | that person |
| paśhyati | actually sees |
Translation
That place which is reached by the Sankhyas or the Jnanis is also reached by the Yogis (Karma Yogis). He who sees knowledge and the performance of action (Karma Yoga) as one, sees truly.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The verse says that the goal reached by those who renounce action through knowledge (Sankhya/Jnana) is the same goal reached by those who act with wisdom and devotion (Karma Yoga). Both paths lead to the same inner freedom when the aim is clear.
True sight is to hold knowledge and action as one: to act from understanding, and to let understanding be tested and lived through action. The wise do not separate learning from living; they let right knowledge shape their work, and let work confirm their wisdom.
This teaches that spiritual life is not only retreat or study, nor only busy doing. Integration—doing with insight and detachment—brings real transformation.
Life Application
- Do your daily tasks with full attention and without clinging to results; let work be a practice, not just a means to gain.
- Learn from quiet reflection or study, then try those insights in real situations—see how they change your responses.
- When making decisions, ask whether your action aligns with your deeper values, not only short-term wants.
Reflection Question
How can I bring my inner understanding into one small action today?