Chapter 5, Verse 28
स्पर्शान्कृत्वा बहिर्बाह्यांश्चक्षुश्चैवान्तरे भ्रुवो: | प्राणापानौ समौ कृत्वा नासाभ्यन्तरचारिणौ ॥27॥ यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायण: | विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो य: सदा मुक्त एव स: ॥28॥
sparśhān kṛitvā bahir bāhyānśh chakṣhuśh chaivāntare bhruvoḥ | prāṇāpānau samau kṛitvā nāsābhyantara-chāriṇau || 27 || yatendriya-mano-buddhir munir mokṣha-parāyaṇaḥ | vigatechchhā-bhaya-krodho yaḥ sadā mukta eva saḥ || 28 ||
"Shutting out all external sense objects, keeping the gaze fixed between the eyebrows, and harmonizing the inward and outward breaths within the nostrils; the meditative sage who has conquered the senses, mind, and intellect, and who is free from desire, fear, and anger, having liberation as the supreme goal, is indeed liberated forever."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 5.28 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 5.28 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
These verses describe the preliminary steps of Ashtanga Yoga. The practitioner internalizes consciousness by 'shutting out' external stimuli—not by physically removing objects, but by severing the mental connection to them. The technique involves 'Trataka' or steady gazing (often between the eyebrows) to stabilize the mind. By equalizing the Prana (outgoing) and Apana (incoming) breaths, the yogi achieves a state of 'Kumbhaka' or stillness. The ultimate prerequisite for 'Sada Mukta' (eternal freedom) is the mastery over the internal triggers of desire, fear, and anger, ensuring that the intellect (Buddhi) remains fixed on Moksha (Liberation).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 5.28?
Shutting out all external sense objects, keeping the gaze fixed between the eyebrows, and harmonizing the inward and outward breaths within the nostrils; the meditative sage who has conquered the senses, mind, and intellect, and who is free from desire, fear, and anger, having liberation as the supreme goal, is indeed liberated forever.