शक्नोति इहैव यः सोढुं प्राक् शारीरविमोक्षणात्। कामक्रोधोद्भवं वेगं स युक्तः स सुखी नरः।।5.23।।
śaknoti ihaiva yaḥ soḍhuṁ prāk śarīra‑vimokṣaṇāt kāma‑krodho‑udbhavaṁ vegam sa‑yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ
Translation
One who, even in this present body, is able to curb desire and anger before giving up the body, and whose mind is steady, is truly happy.
Word Meanings
शक्नोति — is able; इहैव — in the present body; यः — one who; सोढुं — to tolerate; प्राक् — before; शारीरविमोक्षणात् — giving up the body; कामक्रोधोद्भवं — generated from desire and anger; वेगं — urges; स — he; युक्तः — in trance; स — he; सुखी — happy; नरः — human being.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Lord Krishna delineates the hallmark of a true yogi, emphasizing inner mastery over the volatile forces of desire (kāma) and anger (krodha). The Sanskrit phrase "śaknoti ihaiva" signifies the yogi's capacity to exercise control "in this very body"—a reminder that spiritual realization is not postponed until death but is to be cultivated amidst the temporal existence. This immediate applicability underscores the Gita's pragmatic approach, urging seekers to practice discernment and self‑discipline amidst worldly duties.
The mention of "prāk śarīra‑vimokṣaṇāt" (before the giving up of the body) highlights that the yogi's control is not a post‑mortem achievement but a preparatory stage for eventual liberation. By mastering the "vegam" (the rapid impulses) that arise from "kāma‑krodho‑udbhavaṁ" (the birth of desire and anger), a practitioner stabilizes the mind, preventing it from being swept away by fleeting passions. This stability, termed "yuktaḥ," denotes a state of harmonious alignment where the intellect, heart, and will function as one.
Krishna's description of "sukhi naraḥ" (the happy human) conveys that true happiness is not contingent upon external circumstances but stems from inner equilibrium. When desire and anger are subdued, the mind experiences tranquility, leading to lasting contentment. This happiness is intrinsic and immutable, contrasting sharply with the fleeting pleasures pursued by ordinary worldly individuals.
The verse also subtly addresses the misconception that renunciation alone guarantees spiritual progress. It clarifies that mere abandonment of the body or external rites is insufficient; the decisive factor is the internal conquest over the mind's tendencies. Hence, a yogi is defined not by external asceticism but by the inner fortitude to govern his mental forces while still engaged in worldly life.
In contemporary practice, this teaching offers a blueprint for personal development. By recognizing the transitory nature of desires and emotional eruptions, modern seekers can adopt mindfulness techniques, breath awareness, and ethical discipline to temper these impulses. Such practices gradually cultivate "yuktaḥ"—a balanced state conducive to effective decision‑making, compassionate action, and profound inner peace. Ultimately, the verse affirms that the path to lasting happiness lies in mastering the mind’s inherent turbulence while living fully in the present world.
