Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 5 verse 22
Chapter 5 · Karma Sanyasa Yoga

Fleeting Pleasure · Seeking Something Steadier

ये हि संस्पर्शजा भोगा दुःखयोनय एव ते । आद्यन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ॥

ye hi saṁsparśa-jā bhogā duḥkha-yonaya eva te ādyantavantaḥ kaunteya na teṣu ramate budhaḥ

Meaning

"The pleasures that arise from contact with the senses are, in truth, sources of suffering. O Kaunteya, they have a beginning and an end; the wise do not delight in them."

Explanation

Pleasures that depend entirely on outside conditions always come with an expiry date, and chasing them keeps us on a tiring loop. Real contentment is worth seeking somewhere steadier than the next fleeting high.

Today's Life Lesson

Before chasing the next quick high today, ask if it will actually last — real contentment is worth building somewhere steadier.

More verses to reflect on