Sadhak Sanjivani

Sādhaka-Sañjīvanī

A verse-by-verse Hindi commentary on the whole Bhagavad Gita, written for practitioners (sadhakas) rather than scholars.

Modern commentaryFull text available

Tradition: Vedanta · Bhakti traditions · Modern expositions
Difficulty: beginner
Attribution: Swami RamsukhdasSwami Ramsukhdas; published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur
Period · language: Late 20th century; revised editions followed · Hindi (with English translation)
Themes: Practice · Surrender · Detachment · Devotion · Self-knowledge · Everyday life

Full text available

Read all 700 verses with Sadhak Sanjivani

Sanskrit, Hindi & English, word-by-word meanings, Swami Ramsukhdas’s complete commentary, and a learning layer — Learn, Read and Deep-dive modes.

Open the Gita Start at 2.47

Why read this?

Sadhak Sanjivani is written to be practised, not only studied: it keeps turning each verse into a question about how the reader lives. It is the commentary ingested in this app for all 700 verses, in Hindi and English, so it is the most direct way to go deeper into any Gita verse here.

Questions it answers

?How do I apply the Gita in ordinary life?
?What does it mean to accept that the body is not mine?
?How can surrender be practised today?

Key teachings

Editorial overview

Written for the practitioner

The title means roughly 'life-giving herb for the spiritual aspirant'. Ramsukhdas repeatedly addresses the reader directly and draws out practical implications of each verse.

Disidentification from body and world

A recurring theme is that the body, mind and possessions belong to the world, not to the Self. Recognising this, in his presentation, is itself a large part of freedom.

Paths are complementary

Ramsukhdas treats action, knowledge and devotion as valid paths suited to different temperaments, while giving surrender (sharanagati) to God a special place.

Service without expectation

Action is to be done for the good of others and offered to God, without seeking anything for oneself. He presents this as available to anyone, regardless of learning.

Structure

Commentary on all 18 chaptersEach verse: Sanskrit, word meanings, Hindi translation, explanation
Chapter introductions and closing notesMany chapters include an introduction linking them to the previous one

Concepts

ConceptशरणागतिSharanagatiTaking refuge in God; total surrender.Conceptनिष्काम कर्मNishkama karmaAction performed without selfish desire for its results.ConceptसेवाSevaSelfless service offered without seeking reward.ConceptविवेकVivekaDiscernment between the real and the unreal, the Self and the not-Self.Conceptवैराग्यVairagya — dispassionFreedom from craving — the fading of attraction to what cannot satisfy.Conceptआसक्तिAsaktiAttachment: clinging to objects, people or outcomes.Conceptभक्तिBhakti — devotionLoving devotion to God, as a path and as an end in itself.Conceptआत्मन्Atman — the SelfThe innermost Self — what you are beneath body, mind and personality.Conceptसमत्वSamatvaEquanimity: evenness of mind in gain and loss, success and failure.Conceptकर्मKarmaAction — and the way actions shape future experience.Conceptअनुग्रहAnugraha — graceDivine grace — God's freely given favour that frees the soul.ConceptकामKamaDesire; also, as one of four aims of life, pleasure and love.ConceptफलPhalaThe fruit or result of action.Conceptप्रपत्तिPrapatti — refuge in GodTaking refuge in God as the sole means, a central teaching of Sri Vaishnavism.Conceptप्रेमPrema — divine lovePure, selfless love for God — for many bhakti traditions the highest goal, beyond even liberation.Conceptसंन्यासSannyasa — renunciationRenunciation — as a formal stage of life, and as an inner attitude of letting go.Conceptश्रद्धाShraddhaFaith or trust; confident commitment to a teaching, teacher or ideal.Conceptस्थितप्रज्ञSthitaprajna — steady wisdomThe person whose understanding has become steady — the Gita's portrait of the realised human being.Conceptस्वधर्मSvadharmaOne's own duty, suited to one's nature and situation.Conceptत्यागTyaga — relinquishmentLetting go of attachment to action and its fruit, rather than of action itself.Conceptयज्ञYajna — sacrifice, offeringOffering: from the Vedic fire ritual to the inner attitude of doing all action as an offering.

Textश्रीमद्भगवद्गीताBhagavad GitaThe text on which it comments, verse by verse Textगीताभाष्यGita Bhashya (Shankara)A classical Advaita commentary; Ramsukhdas draws on the commentarial tradition but writes for practice Textगीताभाष्यGita Bhashya (Ramanuja)A classical devotional reading with which it shares an emphasis on surrender TextरामचरितमानसRamcharitmanasRamsukhdas frequently draws illustrations from Tulsidas's Hindi Ramayana

Thinkers

Thinkerस्वामी रामसुखदासSwami Ramsukhdas20th century; c. 1904–2005 CE (birth date reported variously).

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Traditions

वेदान्तVedanta भक्तिBhakti traditions आधुनिकModern expositions

Source type: Modern commentary. Overview text on this page is editorial.