Bhagavad Gita 5.3 · Krishna
The real renouncer
ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति।
निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते॥
jñeyaḥ sa nityasaṃnyāsī yo na dveṣṭi na kāṅkṣatinirdvandvo hi mahābāho sukhaṃ bandhātpramucyate
Know as a true renouncer the one who neither hates nor craves. Free of opposites, mighty-armed one, they are easily freed.
Words
- sannyāsa
What it means
Krishna redefines sannyasa, renunciation. A true renouncer isn't someone who has left the world. It's someone who neither hates nor craves. Free of the swing between likes and dislikes, they slip out of bondage easily. Renunciation is an inner stance, not an outer costume.
The story
Arjuna has imagined renunciation as walking away from the battlefield. Krishna says he can be a renouncer standing right where he is. What he needs to give up isn't his post. It's the grip of craving and hatred.
In your life
Picture a busy parent who has quietly stopped needing praise or fearing criticism. They're living in the world, yet free. Notice one craving and one dislike you carry. Hold them more lightly this week.
Renounce craving, not life.