In Bhagavad Gita 5.2, Krishna answers that both renunciation and the yoga of action lead to the highest good, but of the two, the yoga of action is superior to mere renunciation of action.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च
निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ
तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्
कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥ ५-२ ॥
saṃnyāsaḥ karmayogaśca
niḥśreyasakarāvubhau
tayostu karmasaṃnyāsāt
karmayogo viśiṣyate
English transliteration samnyaasah karmayogashcha
nihshreyasakaraavubhau
tayostu karmasamnyaasaat
karmayogo vishishyate ॥ 5.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The Blessed Lord said: Renunciation and the yoga of action both lead to the highest good. But of the two, the yoga of action is superior to the renunciation of action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| संन्यासः saṃnyāsaḥ | renunciation |
| कर्मयोगः karmayogaḥ | the yoga of action |
| च ca | and |
| निःश्रेयसकरौ niḥśreyasakarau | leading to the highest good niḥśreyasa (highest good) + karau (producing) |
| उभौ ubhau | both |
| तयोः tayoḥ | of the two |
| तु tu | but |
| कर्मसंन्यासात् karmasaṃnyāsāt | than renunciation of action |
| कर्मयोगः karmayogaḥ | the yoga of action |
| विशिष्यते viśiṣyate | is superior |
Word-wise Chanting
- saṃn–yā–saḥ kar–ma–yo–gaś–ca 8 syllables samn-yaa-sah kar-ma-yo-gash-cha
- niḥś–re–ya–sa–ka–rā–vu–bhau | 8 syllables nihsh-re-ya-sa-ka-raa-vu-bhau
- ta–yos–tu kar–ma–saṃn–yā–sāt– 8 syllables ta-yos-tu kar-ma-samn-yaa-saat-
- kar–ma–yo–go vi–śiṣ–ya–te || 5-2 8 syllables kar-ma-yo-go vi-shish-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 5 Verse 2
Context
Krishna answers Arjuna’s question (5.1) directly.
Meaning
Krishna does not dismiss renunciation; both paths lead to niḥśreyasa, the highest good, liberation. But for most people, and certainly for Arjuna, karma yoga is better. Outward renunciation of action, without inner purity, can easily become escapism; karma yoga purifies the heart through action itself.
This is practical guidance. Few people are ready for complete renunciation of the world. For most, the path lies in acting rightly, without attachment, in the middle of life. Karma yoga brings the benefits of renunciation without its dangers.
In Practice
Instead of dreaming of escaping your responsibilities, practise karma yoga within them today: act fully, without attachment to results.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.