Bhagavad Gita · Karma Sannyasa YogaChapter 5, Shloka 9 (5.9)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
प्रलपन् विसृजन् गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन् निमिषन्नपि
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेषु वर्तन्त इति धारयन्
॥ 5.9 ॥
pralapan visṛjan gṛhṇannunmiṣan nimiṣannapi
indriyāṇīndriyārtheṣu vartanta iti dhārayan
Translation
"(Completing the sentence of 5.8:) Even while speaking, letting go, grasping, opening and closing the eyes — holding firmly that 'the senses are moving among their objects' (one should think: I do nothing at all)."
Interpretation
The activities of the organs of action too. Speaking (speech), letting go (excretion), grasping (hands), opening and closing the eyes (an activity of prana/vital air) — besides the senses of knowledge in 5.8, now the organs of action and subtle bodily activities as well.
"Dhārayan" — holding firmly. Not just knowing it once; continuously holding on to this understanding.
Commentary: Shankaracharya's commentary on 5.8–5.9 is combined (see 5.8). According to Shankara this is the vision of the tattvavit (knower of truth), who is qualified for the renunciation of all action; and for one who is not a knower of truth and is engaged in karma yoga, the next verse (5.10) applies — yas tu punaḥ atattvavit pravṛttaś ca karma-yoge. Acharya Ramanuja's commentary on 5.8–5.9 is also a single one: holding firmly that the senses and breaths move among their objects, one thinks "I do nothing at all" — because doership comes not from the nature of the self but from the connection with senses and breath.
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.