Chapter 5 Verse 2
Karm Sanyās Yog
श्री भगवानुवाच संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ। तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते।।5.2।।
śhrī bhagavān uvācha sannyāsaḥ karma-yogaśh cha niḥśhreyasa-karāvubhau tayos tu karma-sannyāsāt karma-yogo viśhiṣhyate
Word Meanings
| śhrī-bhagavān uvācha | the Supreme Lord said |
| sanyāsaḥ | renunciation |
| karma-yogaḥ | working in devotion |
| cha | and |
| niḥśhreyasa-karau | lead to the supreme goal |
| ubhau | both |
| tayoḥ | of the two |
| tu | but |
| karma-sanyāsāt | renunciation of actions |
| karma-yogaḥ | working in devotion |
| viśhiṣhyate | is superior |
Translation
The Blessed Lord said, "Renunciation and the Yoga of action both lead to the highest bliss; but of the two, the Yoga of action is superior to the renunciation of action."
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Both giving up action (renunciation) and acting with a steady, devoted mind (karma-yoga) can lead to the highest spiritual goal. The verse says that while both ways can bring liberation, acting with the right inner attitude is better.
Renunciation can mean stepping away from duties, but that alone may not remove inner desires or calm the mind. Karma-yoga—doing what must be done while keeping attachment to results aside—changes the heart and mind through real life, not escape.
The spiritual point is practical: real freedom grows when you meet life’s tasks with selfless attention. Work becomes a path to inner peace when actions are offered without clinging to outcomes.
Life Application
- Do your daily duties fully and honestly, but remind yourself the result is not the only goal—focus on right effort and intention.
- Treat work and service as offerings: help others or do tasks without making success or praise your aim.
- Before starting something, take a short pause to set a calm intention and decide to let go of attachment to how it will turn out.
Reflection Question
Am I doing this task to prove something or to serve and grow?