Renunciation - 05 - 02

The Shloka

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ ।

तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥

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Śrī Bhagavān uvāca.

Saṁnyāsaḥ karmayogaś-ca niḥśreyasakarāvubhau.

Tayos-tu karma-saṁnyāsāt-karmayogo viśiṣyate.

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka is significant as it directly addresses Arjuna’s dilemma, which often arises for spiritual seekers: whether to renounce all actions (Sannyasa) or to perform actions without attachment (Karma Yoga). Krishna clarifies that while both paths ultimately aim for the same spiritual goal of liberation (niḥśreyasa), Karma Yoga is generally considered superior and more practical for most individuals in the present age. It emphasizes that true renunciation is not about abandoning external duties but cultivating inner detachment from the fruits of action. It sets the stage for understanding that action performed with the right consciousness is not a hindrance but a powerful tool for spiritual progress.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Renunciation of action (Sannyasa) and action in devotion (Karma Yoga) both lead to the highest good. But of the two, Karma Yoga (the path of action in devotion) is superior to the mere renunciation of action.

Lord Krishna states that both the path of renunciation (Sannyasa) and the path of action performed without attachment (Karma Yoga) lead to the ultimate good. However, between the two, Karma Yoga is considered superior or more highly recommended.

In this verse, Lord Krishna responds to Arjuna’s query from the previous shloka, where Arjuna asked about the superiority of either renunciation of action (Sannyasa) or action in devotion (Karma Yoga). Krishna begins by affirming that both paths, Sannyasa and Karma Yoga, are indeed beneficial and lead to ‘niḥśreyasa’ or the highest spiritual good, which implies liberation from the cycle of birth and death and attainment of supreme bliss. However, He immediately clarifies that while both are valid, Karma Yoga, the path of performing one’s duties without attachment to the results and offering them to the Divine, is superior to the mere renunciation of action (Karma Sannyasa). This is a crucial distinction. True Sannyasa is not simply giving up external activities but involves a deep internal renunciation of desires and attachments. For most people, especially those who are still entangled in material desires, simply abandoning action can lead to idleness, hypocrisy, or a restless mind, rather than true spiritual progress. Karma Yoga, on the other hand, allows one to purify the mind and senses by engaging in prescribed duties with a detached attitude, transforming mundane activities into spiritual practice. It provides a more accessible and practical approach for spiritual advancement for the majority of individuals, teaching them to work in the world while remaining unattached to its outcomes, thus gradually leading to internal renunciation.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

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Meaning

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said.

Meaning of Words

श्रीभगवान्	Śrī Bhagavān
The Supreme Lord This refers to Lord Krishna, who is being addressed as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, embodying all opulences, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation. It signifies that the speaker is the ultimate authority.
उवाच	uvāca	said

Sentence - 2

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संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ ।

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Meaning

Renunciation of action (Sannyasa) and action in devotion (Karma Yoga) both lead to the highest good.

Meaning of Words

संन्यासः	saṁnyāsaḥ
renunciation of action The path of complete renunciation, traditionally involving giving up all worldly activities and material possessions, dedicating oneself solely to spiritual pursuits, often involving ascetic practices. It literally means ‘laying down completely’ or ‘abandoning’.
कर्मयोगः	karmayogaḥ
action in devotion The path of performing one’s prescribed duties (karma) without attachment to the results, offering the fruits of one’s labor to the Divine. It emphasizes action in awareness, not inaction.
च	ca	and
निःश्रेयसकरौ	niḥśreyasakau
leading to the highest good Derived from ‘niḥśreyasa’ meaning ultimate good, supreme welfare, liberation, or emancipation. The suffix ‘karau’ indicates ‘that which causes’ or ‘leads to’. So, both paths are said to lead to the ultimate spiritual benefit.
उभौ	ubhau	both

Sentence - 3

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तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥

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Meaning

But of the two, Karma Yoga (the path of action in devotion) is superior to the renunciation of action (Karma Sannyasa).

Meaning of Words

तयोः	tayoḥ	of the two
तु	tu	but
कर्मसंन्यासात्	karma-saṁnyāsāt
than the renunciation of action This refers specifically to the ‘renunciation of action’ in the sense of simply abstaining from work without proper understanding or inner detachment. The suffix ‘-āt’ indicates ‘from’ or ‘than’.
कर्मयोगो	karmayogaḥ
action in devotion The path of performing one’s prescribed duties without attachment to the results, offering the fruits of one’s labor to the Divine. It emphasizes action in awareness, not inaction.
विशिष्यते	viśiṣyate
is superior Means ‘is distinguished’, ‘is preferable’, ‘is more special’, or ‘is better’. It implies a higher degree of efficacy or suitability for most individuals.

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