Purity

Nirasir yata-cittatma tyakta-sarva-parigrahah, shariram kevalam karma kurvan napnoti kilbisham

Without hope or possessiveness, with the mind and self under control, abandoning all acquisitiveness, performing action through the body alone — such a person incurs no sin.

Yoga-yukto vishuddhatma vijithatma jitendriyah, sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma kurvann api na lipyate

The one united in yoga, with a purified self, mastered mind, and conquered senses, whose very self has become the Self of all beings — though acting, that person is never bound. This is the hallmark of the true karma yogi: action without bondage.

Brahmany adhaya karmani sangam tyaktva karoti yah, lipyate na sa papena padma-patram ivambhasa

One who performs their duty without attachment, surrendering the results to the Supreme, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.

Prasanta-manasam hy enam yoginam sukham uttamam, upaiti shanta-rajasam brahma-bhutam akalmasham

The highest happiness comes to the yogi whose mind has become tranquil, whose passion has quieted, who has become one with Brahman, and who is free from all impurity. Tranquility — not excitement or pleasure — is the medium in which the highest happiness arises.

Yunjann evam sadatmanam yogi vigata-kalmashah, sukhena brahma-samsparsham atyantam sukham ashnute

Ever disciplining the self thus, the yogi who is free from impurities easily enjoys the infinite happiness of contact with Brahman. When impurities are removed, contact with Brahman is natural and effortless — an inexhaustible joy that comes as the fruit of practice.

Raja-vidya raja-guhyam pavitram idam uttamam, pratyakshavagamam dharmyam su-sukham kartum avyayam

This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, directly experienced, righteous, easy to practice, and everlasting.

Anapekṣhaḥ śhuchir dakṣha udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ, sarvārambha-parityāgī yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ

Free from wants, pure, expert, without cares, untroubled, and renouncing all undertakings—such devotees are very dear to Me.

Yatha sarva-gatam saukshymyad akasham nopalipyate, sarvatravastito dehe tathatma nopalipyate

As the all-pervading sky, due to its subtlety, is never contaminated, similarly the Self, situated everywhere in the body, is never contaminated. Just as space remains pure despite pervading all objects, so too the soul remains untainted in all conditions.

Tatra sattvam nirmalatvat prakasakam anamayam, sukha-sangena badhnati jnana-sangena chanagha

O sinless one, sattva (goodness), because of its purity, is illuminating and free from disease. It conditions the soul by binding it to happiness and knowledge. Even the mode of goodness is a binding force — its subtle attachment to happiness and knowledge must ultimately be transcended.

Yada sattve pravriddhe tu pralayam yati deha-bhrit, tadottama-vidam lokan amalan pratipadyate

When one dies in the mode of goodness, one attains the pure higher worlds of the great sages. The guna predominant at death determines one's next destination — those who die in sattva ascend to higher planes of purity and knowledge.

Abhayam sattva-samsuddhir jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih, danam damas cha yajnas cha svadhyayas tapa arjavam

Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness.

Tejah kshama dhritih shaucham adroho nati-manita, bhavanti sampadam daivim abhijatasya bharata

Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of malice, and absence of pride—these qualities belong to those endowed with divine nature, O Arjuna.

Pravrttim ca nivrttim ca jana na vidur asurah, na shaucam napi cacaro na satyam teshu vidyate

Those of demoniac nature do not know what is to be done and what is not to be done. Neither purity, nor proper conduct, nor truthfulness is found in them. The demoniac are characterized by a fundamental ignorance of dharma — they lack the internal compass of purity, right conduct, and truthfulness that guides the divine nature.

Deva-dwija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ śhaucham ārjavam, brahmacharyam ahinsā cha śhārīraṁ tapa uchyate

Worship of the deities, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise; purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-violence—these are said to be austerity of the body.

Manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ, bhāva-saṁśhuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam uchyate

Serenity of thought, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of purpose—these are called austerity of the mind.