Verse 5.2
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवानुवाच। सन्न्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ। तयोस्तु कर्मसन्न्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते।।
Transliteration (IAST)
śrī bhagavān uvāca। sannyāsaḥ karma-yogaś ca niḥśreyasa-karāv ubhau। tayos tu karma-sannyāsāt karma-yogo viśiṣyate।।
Word-by-Word Meanings
सन्न्यासः-renunciation
कर्मयोगः-yoga of action
निःश्रेयसकरौ-leading to liberation
उभौ-both
कर्मसन्न्यासात्-than renunciation of action
विशिष्यते-is superior
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: Both renunciation of action and the yoga of action lead to the highest good; but of the two, the yoga of action is superior to the renunciation of action.
Commentary
Krishna resolves Arjuna's doubt by declaring that while both paths lead to liberation, karma yoga is practically superior for most seekers. Renunciation without inner purification is difficult, whereas selfless action naturally purifies the mind and leads to the same goal.
Themes
karmamokshajnana