श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ५.८ — नैव किंचित्करोमीति — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ५.८ — नैव किंचित्करोमीति
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
न एव
na eva
not at all, certainly not
किंचित्
kiñchit
anything
करोमि
karomi
I do
इति
iti
thus
युक्तः
yuktaḥ
one who is steadfast in yoga, the united one
मन्येत
manyeta
thinks, should think
तत्त्व-वित्
tattva-vit
the knower of truth
पश्यन्
paśhyan
seeing
श्रृण्वन्
śhṛiṇvan
hearing
स्पृशन्
spṛiśhan
touching
जिघ्रन्
jighran
smelling
अश्नन्
aśhnan
eating
गच्छन्
gachchhan
moving, going
स्वपन्
svapan
sleeping
श्वसन्
śhvasan
breathing
Complete Translation
तत्त्व को जानने वाला युक्त पुरुष देखता हुआ, सुनता हुआ, स्पर्श करता हुआ, सूंघता हुआ, खाता हुआ, चलता हुआ, सोता हुआ और श्वास लेता हुआ भी यह मानता है (जानता है) कि 'मैं तो कुछ भी नहीं करता हूँ' — यह समझकर कि इन्द्रियाँ ही अपने विषयों में बरत रही हैं।।
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 8
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the fifth chapter, Karma-Sannyasa Yoga, Krishna reconciles renunciation with action by revealing the inner vision of the liberated sage. Verses 5.8 and 5.9 describe how such a one, though performing every bodily function, remains convinced that the senses alone move among their objects and that the Self does nothing — and so acts in the world without being bound by it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main teaching of Bhagavad Gita 5.8?▼
Krishna teaches that the enlightened knower of truth, though engaged in all the natural activities of life, inwardly knows 'I do nothing at all.' He realizes that the pure Self is not the doer; it is merely the senses interacting with their objects, while he remains the detached witness.
What does 'I do nothing at all' really mean?▼
It does not mean physical inactivity. The sage continues to see, hear, eat and move, but identifies with the changeless Self rather than the body-mind. Understanding that nature and the senses perform all action, he is free of the ego's false sense of doership.
How is this verse connected to verse 5.9?▼
Verses 5.8 and 5.9 form one continuous statement. Verse 5.8 lists seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving, sleeping and breathing; verse 5.9 continues with speaking, releasing, grasping, opening and closing the eyes — all done with the firm conviction that the senses move among sense-objects, not the Self.
How can I apply this teaching in daily life?▼
While performing your duties, cultivate the awareness that the body and senses are acting naturally, while you, the witnessing Self, remain calm and uninvolved. This attitude of non-doership reduces stress, pride and anxiety, allowing you to act efficiently yet remain inwardly free.
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