Bhagavad Gita BG 5.25
Chapter 5, Verse 25 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् ऋषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः । छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ॥
labhante brahma-nirvanam rshayah kshinakalmashaha chinna-dvaidha yatatmanah sarva-bhuta-hite ratah
Meaning
Sages with impurities destroyed, doubts cut asunder, self-controlled, delighting in the welfare of all beings — they attain brahma-nirvana.
Understanding
Four marks of those who attain brahma-nirvana: kshina-kalmasha (impurities thoroughly depleted — not suppressed but eliminated), chinna-dvaidha (doubts completely cut — not lingering ambiguity), yatatmana (self-controlled), and sarva-bhuta-hite rata (delighting in the welfare of all beings — active compassion). Note the last: liberation is not selfish. The liberated person naturally, joyfully works for the welfare of all beings.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ऋषयः | rshayah | sages, seers |
| क्षीणकल्मषाः | kshinakalmashaha | with impurities thoroughly depleted/destroyed |
| छिन्नद्वैधाः | chinna-dvaidhah | with doubts completely cut |
| यतात्मानः | yatatmanah | self-controlled, with the self disciplined |
| सर्वभूतहिते रताः | sarva-bhuta-hite ratah | delighting in the welfare of all beings |
| लभन्ते | labhante | attain / obtain / gain |
| ब्रह्मनिर्वाणम् | brahma-nirvāṇam | liberation in Brahman / extinction in the Absolute |