लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः। छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः।।5.25।।
labhante brahmarṇvāṇam ṛṣayaḥ kṣīṇa‑kalmaṣāḥ | chinna‑dvaidhā yata‑ātmānaḥ sarva‑bhūta‑hite ratāḥ ||5.25||
Translation
Those sages whose sins have been eliminated, whose dualistic outlook has been cut off, whose self is fully realized, and who are dedicated to the welfare of all beings attain Brahma‑nirvāṇa.
Word Meanings
labhante — achieve; brahma-nirvāṇa — liberation in the Supreme; ṛṣayaḥ — sages; kṣīṇa‑kalmaṣāḥ — freed from all sins; chinna‑dvaidhā — having cut off duality; yata‑ātmānaḥ — self‑realized; sarva‑bhūta‑hite — for the welfare of all beings; ratāḥ — devoted; -
Understanding the Verse
Verse 5.25 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights the ultimate qualities of a true yogi, describing the state of liberation that arises when the mind is completely purified. The opening term "labhante" (attain) indicates that this supreme state is not merely a theoretical ideal but a tangible result for those who embody the described attributes. "Brahma‑nirvāṇa" refers to the supreme, immutable state of being beyond the cycles of birth and death, where the individual self merges with the absolute reality, often identified with Brahman.
The verse first mentions "ṛṣayaḥ" (sages) who have become "kṣīṇa‑kalmaṣāḥ" – free from all sin. In the Gita, sin is not limited to moral transgressions; it also includes the deep‑rooted impurities of ego, attachment, and ignorance that cloud the intellect. By eradicating these impurities through disciplined practice, a seeker creates a clear field for self‑realization. This purification is the foundation upon which further spiritual advancements are built.
Next, the poet declares that the sages have become "chinna‑dvaidhā" – having torn off duality. Duality, or "dvaidhya", is the perception that the world is divided into pairs of opposites – good and bad, pleasure and pain, self and other. The removal of this split‑mind is essential for perceiving the underlying unity of all existence. When duality is cut away, the mind rests in a state of equanimity, seeing the same divine essence in every particle of creation.
The phrase "yata‑ātmānaḥ" underscores the importance of self‑realization. It implies that the seeker’s consciousness is fully absorbed in the true self (ātman), which is identical with the Supreme. This absorption is not an abstract concept but a lived reality where thoughts, emotions, and actions arise spontaneously from the divine core, no longer driven by personal desire. Consequently, the yogi’s actions are naturally aligned with the welfare of others.
Finally, "sarva‑bhūta‑hite ratāḥ" describes those who are devoted to the benefit of all beings. Service to the world becomes the natural expression of a mind that has transcended ego and duality. By acting selflessly for the welfare of all, the yogi reinforces his connection with the Supreme, confirming that liberation is not an isolated achievement but a harmonious participation in the cosmic order. Thus, this verse encapsulates the Gita’s teaching that true liberation is the synthesis of inner purity, non‑duality, self‑realization, and universal compassion.
