Bhagavad Gita 15.5 — Qualities of Those Who Reach the Imperishable Abode
निर्मानमोहा जितसङ्गदोषा अध्यात्मनित्या विनिवृत्तकामाः ।
द्वन्द्वैर्विमुक्ताः सुखदुःखसंज्ञैर्गच्छन्त्यमूढाः पदमव्ययं तत् ॥ १५.५ ॥
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Free from pride and delusion, having conquered the fault of attachment, ever established in the Self, with desires completely ceased, and freed from the pairs of opposites known as pleasure and pain, the undeluded reach that imperishable abode.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| nirmānamohāḥ | free from pride and delusion |
| jitasaṅgadoṣhāḥ | who have conquered the fault of attachment |
| adhyātmanityāḥ | ever established in the knowledge of the Self; constantly devoted to the Supreme |
| vinivṛittakāmāḥ | whose desires have completely ceased |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dvandvaiḥ | from the pairs of opposites |
| vimuktāḥ | completely freed |
| sukhaduḥkhasaṁjñaiḥ | known as pleasure and pain |
| gachchhanti | they reach, they go to |
| amūḍhāḥ | the undeluded, those free from confusion |
| padam | state, abode |
| avyayam | imperishable |
| tat | that |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| nirmānamohāḥ | free from pride and delusion | dvandvaiḥ | from the pairs of opposites |
| jitasaṅgadoṣhāḥ | who have conquered the fault of attachment | vimuktāḥ | completely freed |
| adhyātmanityāḥ | ever established in the knowledge of the Self; constantly devoted to the Supreme | sukhaduḥkhasaṁjñaiḥ | known as pleasure and pain |
| vinivṛittakāmāḥ | whose desires have completely ceased | gachchhanti | they reach, they go to |
| amūḍhāḥ | the undeluded, those free from confusion | ||
| padam | state, abode | ||
| avyayam | imperishable | ||
| tat | that | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the people who actually reach the imperishable state. He lists their inner qualities: freedom from pride and delusion, victory over attachment, steady absorption in the Self, release from desire, and balance amid life's dualities.
Essence
The Qualities of Those Who Reach the Imperishable
Instead of describing the goal in abstract terms, Lord Krishna describes the character of the seeker. Liberation is not an external reward; it is the natural result of an inner transformation.
Nirmānamohāḥ (free from pride and delusion): Māna is the ego's craving for respect and importance, and moha is the confusion of taking the temporary for the permanent. Such a person neither needs applause nor mistakes the body, wealth, or status for the real self.
Jitasaṅgadoṣāḥ (having conquered the fault of attachment): Attachment is a fault because it binds us to what must eventually be lost. The seeker has overcome this by understanding the true nature of things, not by suppressing feelings.
Adhyātmanityāḥ (ever established in the Self): Their attention constantly returns to the inner reality, the ātmā. Their daily life continues, but their anchor is within.
Vinivṛttakāmāḥ (desires turned away): The restless chase of desires has quietened, because the mind has discovered a deeper source of contentment.
Dvandvair vimuktāḥ (freed from the pairs of opposites): Pleasure and pain, honour and insult, gain and loss no longer toss the mind about. Lord Krishna calls them sukhaduḥkhasaṁjñaiḥ, 'known as happiness and sorrow', hinting that these are mere labels that the mind attaches to passing experiences.
Such people are amūḍhāḥ, undeluded, and they attain the imperishable state (padam avyayam).
Message for Everyday Life (Building Inner Qualities)
Work on character, not just circumstances: We often think peace will come when our situation improves. The Gita points out that peace comes when our inner qualities mature: humility, non-attachment, contentment, and balance.
Practical approach: Choose one quality from this verse, such as not needing recognition, and practise it for a week. Notice how much lighter your mind becomes.
The Qualities of Those Who Reach the Imperishable
Instead of describing the goal in abstract terms, Lord Krishna describes the character of the seeker. Liberation is not an external reward; it is the natural result of an inner transformation.
Nirmānamohāḥ (free from pride and delusion): Māna is the ego's craving for respect and importance, and moha is the confusion of taking the temporary for the permanent. Such a person neither needs applause nor mistakes the body, wealth, or status for the real self.
Jitasaṅgadoṣāḥ (having conquered the fault of attachment): Attachment is a fault because it binds us to what must eventually be lost. The seeker has overcome this by understanding the true nature of things, not by suppressing feelings.
Adhyātmanityāḥ (ever established in the Self): Their attention constantly returns to the inner reality, the ātmā. Their daily life continues, but their anchor is within.
Vinivṛttakāmāḥ (desires turned away): The restless chase of desires has quietened, because the mind has discovered a deeper source of contentment.
Dvandvair vimuktāḥ (freed from the pairs of opposites): Pleasure and pain, honour and insult, gain and loss no longer toss the mind about. Lord Krishna calls them sukhaduḥkhasaṁjñaiḥ, 'known as happiness and sorrow', hinting that these are mere labels that the mind attaches to passing experiences.
Such people are amūḍhāḥ, undeluded, and they attain the imperishable state (padam avyayam).
Message for Everyday Life (Building Inner Qualities)
Work on character, not just circumstances: We often think peace will come when our situation improves. The Gita points out that peace comes when our inner qualities mature: humility, non-attachment, contentment, and balance.
Practical approach: Choose one quality from this verse, such as not needing recognition, and practise it for a week. Notice how much lighter your mind becomes.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the inner qualities of those who reach the imperishable state. In the next verse He reveals the nature of that supreme abode itself, a light that outshines the sun, the moon, and fire, and a home from which one never returns.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Pride is the heaviest thing a seeker can carry.
Joy and sorrow visit everyone; the wise do not move in with either.
Fewer desires, deeper peace.
The undeluded mind sees things as they are.
A life anchored in the Self does not wobble with circumstances.
Freedom is not the absence of experience but the absence of bondage to it.
Growth is learning to stay steady in both gain and loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the qualities listed in this verse for reaching the supreme state?
What does 'adhyātmanitya' (always established in spiritual knowledge) mean?
What are 'dvandvas' (pairs of opposites)?
Why are such people called 'amūḍha' (undeluded)?
Does this verse mean one must give up all desires immediately?
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