योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः। स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति।।5.24।।
yo'ntaḥ sukho'nta rārāmas tathānta rjyotir eva yaḥ. sa yogi brahmanirvanam brahmbhuto'adhigacchati
Translation
He who experiences happiness within, who delights in the inner bliss, and who is illumined by the inner light, that yogi attains Brahma‑nirvāṇa and becomes one with Brahman.
Word Meanings
yo — he who; antaḥ — within; sukhaḥ — happiness; antaḥ‑sukhaḥ — internal happiness; antar‑ārāmaḥ — inner delight; tathā — also; antaḥ‑jyotiḥ — inner light; eva — certainly; yaḥ — anyone; saḥ — he; yogī — mystic; brahma‑nirvāṇaṃ — liberation in the Supreme; brahma‑bhūtaḥ — being self‑realized; adhigacchati — attains
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Krishna describes the ultimate state of a true yogi, whose satisfaction does not depend on external circumstances but arises from a deep, inner peace. The phrase "yo'ntaḥ sukho'nta" signifies a person whose joy is rooted entirely within ("antaḥ" meaning 'inside'), indicating that the mind is free from the turbulence of worldly desires. Such inner happiness is not fleeting; it is a stable, self‑sustaining bliss that remains untouched by the vicissitudes of life.
The next segment "antarārāma" expands this idea by portraying the inner delight as a continual, pleasant experience. It suggests that the yogi perceives the divine presence as a constant source of comfort and pleasure, turning the inner world into a sanctuary of spiritual rapture. This inner delight is not merely an emotional state but a recognition of one's essential unity with the Supreme Consciousness.
"Tathā antaḥ jyotiḥ eva" further deepens the description by emphasizing the illumination of the inner light. "Jyoti" denotes light, and here it is the inner spiritual illumination that dispels ignorance and reveals the true nature of reality. When the mind is illuminated, there is no room for delusion; the yogi sees the world as it truly is, beyond the veil of Maya.
Having cultivated inner happiness, delight, and illumination, the yogi "sa yogī" – the practitioner of yoga – reaches the pinnacle of spiritual evolution. The term "yogi" here is not limited to physical postures but encompasses a disciplined mind, heart, and intellect aligned with divine consciousness.
The final promise is that such a yogi "brahma‑nirvāṇaṃ" attains liberation in the Supreme, dissolving the individual self into the all‑pervading Brahman. "Brahma‑bhūtaḥ" indicates that the yogi becomes identical with Brahman, no longer a separate entity but a manifestation of the ultimate reality. "Adhigacchati" conveys the active attainment of this state, affirming that liberation is a reachable goal through sincere inner practice.
Thus, Chapter 5, Verse 24 encapsulates the essence of the yogic path: by turning inward, cultivating internal joy, and shining the light of wisdom within, one transcends material bondage and merges with the divine. It offers a profound roadmap for seekers who wish to experience lasting peace and ultimate freedom, underscoring the timeless truth that true liberation is found not outside, but deep within the heart of the seeker.
