Bhagavad Gita 5.17 — The Wise Established in Brahman Are Freed from Rebirth
तद्बुद्धयस्तदात्मानस्तन्निष्ठास्तत्परायणाः ।
गच्छन्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं ज्ञाननिर्धूतकल्मषाः ॥ ५.१७ ॥
Those whose intellect, mind, steadfastness, and ultimate goal are all centered in the Supreme Brahman, and whose impurities have been removed through true knowledge, attain the state beyond rebirth. Having realized the Highest Truth, they are no longer bound by the cycle of worldly existence.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tadbuddhayaḥ | whose intellect is fixed on That (Brahman) |
| tadātmānaḥ | whose mind is absorbed in That |
| tanniṣṭhāḥ | who are firmly established in That |
| tatparāyaṇāḥ | who take That alone as their supreme goal |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| gacchanti | attain |
| apunarāvṛttim | the state from which there is no return to rebirth |
| jñānanirdhūtakalmaṣāḥ | whose sins have been cleansed by knowledge |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tadbuddhayaḥ | whose intellect is fixed on That (Brahman) | gacchanti | attain |
| tadātmānaḥ | whose mind is absorbed in That | apunarāvṛttim | the state from which there is no return to rebirth |
| tanniṣṭhāḥ | who are firmly established in That | jñānanirdhūtakalmaṣāḥ | whose sins have been cleansed by knowledge |
| tatparāyaṇāḥ | who take That alone as their supreme goal | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the state of those who have made the Supreme the very centre of their lives. Their thoughts, identity, dedication, and ultimate goal all become completely absorbed in the Divine.
Essence
The four pillars of steadfastness in the Supreme
Lord Krishna presents a gradual process through which a seeker advances toward complete liberation.
Tadbuddhayaḥ: The seeker's intellect is no longer preoccupied with temporary worldly pursuits. It becomes firmly directed toward the Supreme Truth.
Tadātmānaḥ: The heart and mind become so deeply immersed in the remembrance and love of the Supreme that every aspect of life begins to flow from that connection.
Tanniṣṭhāḥ: Such a person's commitment becomes unwavering. External circumstances may change, but inner conviction and spiritual stability remain unshaken.
Tatparāyaṇāḥ: The Supreme alone becomes the seeker's highest refuge and ultimate destination. Worldly achievements are no longer regarded as life's final purpose.
Jñāna-nirdhūta-kalmaṣāḥ: As the light of knowledge removes inner impurities, delusions, and accumulated defects, the seeker progresses toward complete freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
Message for our lives
This verse shows that spiritual growth is not merely about acquiring knowledge—it is about transforming one's entire way of living.
The power of a higher purpose: When life is centred on a noble and enduring goal, scattered energy becomes focused and purposeful.
Inner purification: Lasting transformation takes place when knowledge moves beyond the intellect and becomes a lived reality. Such wisdom naturally brings peace, clarity, and inner freedom.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the person whose entire being is established in the Supreme. In the next verse, He explains how such a wise person views all living beings with equal vision.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
A divided mind wanders; a dedicated mind arrives.
What becomes your highest priority shapes your destiny.
True knowledge transforms the knower.
Inner alignment creates extraordinary progress.
The mind that rests in Truth gradually becomes Truth-oriented.
Liberation begins when the highest goal becomes the only goal.
Clarity, commitment, and knowledge together create transformation.