Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 5.22

Shloka 5.22

“Pleasures from external contacts are wombs of pain, O Arjuna; the wise do not delight in them.”
Key Teaching: External pleasures lead to pain; the wise avoid them.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Karma Sannyasa Yoga.
Description:
Krishna warns that pleasures from external contacts are sources of pain, and the wise do not delight in them. This verse, continuing 5.21, addresses Arjuna’s attachment (2.9). The themes of guidance, as Krishna instructs, dharma, as he clarifies impermanent pleasure, and Karma Sannyasa Yoga, as he emphasizes wisdom, are central.

In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s attachment to kin (1.28–46) seeks fleeting pleasure. Krishna’s teaching contrasts with Duryodhana’s pleasure-driven ambition (1.3–11), urging Arjuna to avoid external pleasures for his Kshatriya duty, aligning with Karma Yoga (2.47, 4.20).

Philosophically, this verse addresses the human pursuit of transient pleasure, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on detachment (2.62–63). Arjuna’s reluctance complicates his dharma, necessitating Krishna’s guidance to reject impermanent joys. The theme of Karma Sannyasa Yoga underscores the Gita’s focus on wise action.

Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s warning objectively, emphasizing its cautionary clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s fleeting pleasures, where wisdom ensures freedom. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers for performing duty without attachment, aligning with liberation.