Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5 · Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 5.2 संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ
श्लोक 5.2
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ ।
तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥
śrībhagavānuvāca |
saṃnyāsaḥ karmayogaśca niḥśreyasakarāvubhau |
tayostu karmasaṃnyāsātkarmayogo viśiṣyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
श्रीभगवान ने कहा: संन्यास और कर्मयोग दोनों ही परम कल्याण देने वाले हैं, परंतु इन दोनों में कर्म-संन्यास की अपेक्षा कर्मयोग श्रेष्ठ है।
Meaning in English
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 better than the renunciation of action.
Bhagavad Gita 5.2 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| श्रीभगवान् उवाच | śrī-bhagavān uvāca | the Blessed Lord said |
| संन्यासः | saṃnyāsaḥ | renunciation |
| कर्मयोगः च | karma-yogaḥ ca | and the yoga of action |
| निःश्रेयसकरौ | niḥśreyasa-karau | lead to the highest good |
| उभौ | ubhau | both |
| तयोः तु | tayoḥ tu | but of the two |
| कर्मसंन्यासात् | karma-saṃnyāsāt | than renunciation of action |
| कर्मयोगः | karma-yogaḥ | the yoga of action |
| विशिष्यते | viśiṣyate | is superior |
Explanation
Krishna replies that renunciation and the yoga of action both lead to the highest good, liberation. Yet of the two, the yoga of action is better than the mere renunciation of action. He does not dismiss renunciation, but he clearly prefers selfless work for someone in Arjuna's position.
This is the direct answer to Arjuna's question and sets the theme of the chapter. Shankara explains that karma yoga is called superior only in comparison with a renunciation taken up without knowledge; for the one who truly knows the Self, renunciation is natural. Ramanuja and Madhva take the verse more literally: action done as worship is easier, less prone to error and itself ripens into knowledge. Tilak, in his Gita Rahasya, makes this verse a cornerstone of his argument that the Gita teaches energetic action even after realisation.
भावार्थ
श्रीभगवान ने कहा — कर्मसंन्यास और कर्मयोग दोनों ही परम कल्याण करने वाले हैं, परन्तु उन दोनों में कर्मसंन्यास से कर्मयोग श्रेष्ठ है। संन्यास का मार्ग भी मुक्ति देता है, पर अर्जुन जैसे व्यक्ति के लिए निष्काम कर्म का मार्ग सरल और सुरक्षित है।
Living it today
Withdrawing from responsibilities is not the only spiritual path; doing your work well, without selfish clinging, can take you just as far.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 5.2?
Krishna replies that renunciation and the yoga of action both lead to the highest good, liberation. Yet of the two, the yoga of action is better than the mere renunciation of action. He does not dismiss renunciation, but he clearly prefers selfless work for someone in Arjuna's position.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 5.2?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 5 (Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 5.2 in daily life?
Withdrawing from responsibilities is not the only spiritual path; doing your work well, without selfish clinging, can take you just as far.
Reflected on verse 5.2?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.