BG 5.2
Krishna said: Renunciation of actions and righteous action both lead to salvation. However, of the two, right actions are superior to renounced actions.
संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ
तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते
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श्री भगवानुवाच
śhrī bhagavān uvācha — Krishna said
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संन्यासः
sannyāsaḥ — renunciation
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कर्मयोगश्
karma-yogaśh — working in devotion
Refers to the practice of karma yoga, where one works with selflessness and devotion-
karma — work, action
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yogaśh — yoga, perfection of action
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श्च
cha — and
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निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ
niḥśhreyasa-karāvubhau — both lead to the supreme goal
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niḥśhreyasa — final absolution, supreme goal
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karāu — leading toward
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ubhau — both
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tayos — of the two
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tu — but
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karma-sannyāsāt — renunciation of actions
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karma — actions, work
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sannyāsāt — renunciation
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karma-yogo — working in devotion
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karma — actions, work
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yogo — with yoga
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viśhiṣhyate — is superior
Krishna said: Renunciation of actions and righteous action both lead to salvation. However, of the two, right actions are superior to renounced actions. One who is free from hatred and from all dualities is a person of renunciation, and is certainly freed from bondage. The ignorant proclaim the path of renunciation to be different from that of righteous action. The learned know that one who has become situated in even one of the two, achieves the result of both. That which is attained through spiritual wisdom is also attained by working with devotion. The wise see them both as the same. However, without right action, it is difficult to attain renunciation. The sage who is a master of righteous action quickly attains divine consciousness. One who unites with righteous action, acting with a pure intellect and control of the mind and senses seeing the same soul in all living beings, is capable of acting while remaining detached. Though the saint sees, hears, touches, smells, eats, moves, sleeps, and breathes, they know the truth and know that they are not the one who acts. Though they talk, give, receive, open their eyes, and shut them, they know the senses are merely operating on the objects of perception.
Similar verses
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Arjuna said: You advocate for renunciation of action, yet you also praise Karma yoga. Please tell me conclusively, which of the two is more beneficial for me?
- Verse 5.1
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Krishna said: One who acts out of duty, without depending on the fruit of their actions, is truly renounced and a knower of Yoga - not one who merely shuns all action.
- Verse 6.1
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The ignorant proclaim the path of renunciation to be different from that of righteous action. The learned know that one who has become situated in even one of the two, achieves the result of both.
- Verse 5.4
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Krishna replied: In this world, there are two paths one might take - a path of knowledge for those inclined toward contemplation, and a path of Yoga for those inclined toward action.
- Verse 3.3
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Krishna replied: Brahman is the supreme, indestructible nature of the self. Material actions by this self are called karma.
- Verse 8.3