Bhagavad Gita 5.23

Karma Sanyasa Yoga · English Translation

He who is able, while still here (in this world) to withstand, before the liberation from the body, the impulse born out of desire and anger he is a Yogi, he is a happy man.

Sanskrit

शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् | कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः ||५-२३||

Transliteration

śaknotīhaiva yaḥ soḍhuṃ prākśarīravimokṣaṇāt . kāmakrodhodbhavaṃ vegaṃ sa yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ ||5-23||

What Does This Verse Mean?

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that true happiness and spiritual success are found by mastering one's own mind before death occurs. He teaches that anyone who can resist the sudden, powerful urges of desire and anger while still living in this world is a wise yogi. This ability to stay calm under emotional pressure leads directly to lasting inner peace.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse is a cornerstone of Karma Yoga, emphasizing self-mastery as the prerequisite for true renunciation (Sanyasa). It bridges the gap between external action and internal stability by teaching that one must conquer the 'impulse' born of desire and anger to realize the Self while still alive.

Word by Word

शक्नोति is able, इह here (in this world), एव even, यः who, सोढुम् to withstand, प्राक् before, शरीरविमोक्षणात् liberation from the body, कामक्रोधोद्भवम् born out of desire and anger, वेगम् the impulse, सः he, युक्तः united, सः he, सुखी happy, नरः man

Classical Commentary

Yukta means harmonised or steadfast in Yoga or selfabiding. Desire and anger are powerful enemies of peace. It is very difficult to annihilate them. You will have to make very strong efforts to destroy these enemies. When the word Kama (desire) is used in a general sense it includes all sorts of desires. It means lust in a special sense. While still here means while yet living. The impulse of desire is the agitation of the mind which is indicated by hairs standing on end and cheerful face. The impulse of anger is agitation of the mind which is indicated by fiery eyes, perspiration, biting of the lips and trembling of the body. In this verse you will clearly understand that he who has controlled desire and anger is the most happy man in this world, nor he who has immense wealth, a beautiful wife and beautiful children. Therefore you must try your level best to eradicate desire and anger, the dreadful enemies of eternal bliss. Kama (desire) is longing for a pleasant and agreeable object which gives pleasure and which is seen, heard of, or remembered. Anger is aversion towards an unpleasant and disagreeable object which gives pain and which is seen, heard or, or remembered. A Yogi controls the impulse born of desire and anger, destroyes the currents of likes and dislikes,and attains to eanimity of the mind, by resting in the innermost Self, and so he is very happy.(Cf. VI.18)

Where This Happens

This verse appears on the battlefield of Kurukshetra during the Mahabharata, where Lord Krishna is instructing his friend Arjuna. At this point in Chapter 5, Krishna has just explained that renouncing action isn't about stopping work but acting without attachment to results. He sees Arjuna still struggling with the intense emotions triggered by fighting against his own kinsmen and offers a practical method for finding stability.

Living It Out Today

Consider a modern scenario where you receive unfair criticism from your boss in a high-stakes meeting, triggering an immediate surge of anger or fear of failure. Instead of snapping back defensively or spiraling into anxiety, this teaching encourages pausing to observe the impulse without letting it control your reaction. By enduring that initial storm calmly and responding with clarity rather than emotion, you maintain your professional reputation and inner happiness.

Explained for Children

Imagine your feelings like big waves crashing on the beach; sometimes they are angry or want things too much. Krishna says that being really strong doesn't mean pushing those waves away, but standing steady in the sand so you don't get knocked over when a wave hits. If you can stay calm and happy even when you feel super mad or very greedy for something, then you have won an inner victory.

Daily Reflection

When anger or desire rises up like a sudden wave, remember that you have the power to stand firm on solid ground instead of being swept away. True freedom begins right here, while you still breathe and live, by refusing to let those fleeting urges dictate your actions. By mastering these internal storms now, you cultivate an unshakeable peace that no external event can disturb.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and observe the first spark of irritation or craving that arises today without acting on it, holding a mental space between feeling and reaction. Imagine this moment as a shield you are forging before liberation comes, finding your true happiness not in changing circumstances but in mastering these internal impulses.

Key Teachings

The Test of Timing
This verse emphasizes 'ihaiva' (here and now), teaching us to find freedom within our current life rather than waiting for death or a future state. The opportunity for spiritual mastery is immediate, present in every daily challenge we face.
The Root of Suffering
Krishna identifies desire and anger as the twin forces driving our suffering, noting that one inevitably fuels the other into a destructive impulse. Recognizing this origin allows us to address the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms of our emotional reactions.
The Definition of Success
A true Yogi is defined not by supernatural powers but by their ability to withstand internal turbulence before physical liberation occurs. The verse equates this mastery with being 'sukhi' or happy, suggesting that inner stability is the highest form of human joy.
The Path to Happiness
Happiness is presented as a direct result of self-control over the impulses born from desire and anger. By restraining these forces before leaving the body, one secures a state of peace that endures beyond physical existence.

Themes

Self-controlMental DisciplineDesire and AngerInner PeaceKarma YogaSpiritual Liberation

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'prākśarīravimokṣaṇāt' mean in this context?

This Sanskrit phrase translates to 'before the liberation from the body.' It signifies that spiritual mastery and emotional stability should be achieved while we are still alive, rather than waiting for death or physical release as the only time one can find peace.

Why does Krishna call a person who withstands these impulses 'Yukta'?

'Yukta' means 'united' with God or in a state of yoga. A person who masters the volatile waves of desire and anger is considered united because their mind remains steady and focused on the Self, rather than being scattered by emotional reactions.

Is it possible to feel anger but still be happy according to this verse?

Yes, the verse does not say one must never feel desire or anger. Instead, it teaches that a wise person can experience these impulses as temporary waves without letting them dictate their actions or destroy their inner happiness.

How is this teaching related to achieving liberation (Moksha)?

The verse suggests that the foundation of true liberation is self-control. By mastering the mind's impulses while still in the body, one purifies themselves and prepares for ultimate freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 5.23 →