Chapter 5, Verse 15
Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
na—not; ādatte—accepts; kasyachit—anyone’s; pāpam—sin; na—not; cha—and; eva—certainly; su-kṛitam—virtuous deeds; vibhuḥ—the omnipresent God; ajñānena—by ignorance; āvṛitam—covered; jñānam—knowledge; tena—by that; muhyanti—are deluded; jantavaḥ—the living entities
English translation
The Lord takes neither the demerit nor the merit of any; knowledge is enveloped by ignorance, and beings are deluded.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 5.15
Commentary
Knowledge is enveloped by ignorance. Conseently man is deluded. He thinks; I act. I enjoy. I have done such and such a meritourious act. I will get such and such a fruit. I will enjoy in heaven. I will get a birth in a rich family. Of anyone even of His devotees. Man is bound when he is identifies himself with Nature and its effects -- body; mind; Prana or the lifeforce; and senses. He attains freedom or Moksha when he identifies himself with the immortal; actionless Self that dwells within his heart. When I does not act how can God accept good or evil deeds (Cf. V.29)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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