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Bhagavad Gita 5.2

Chapter 5, Verse 2

Part of 5: Karm Sanyās Yogकर्मसंन्यासयोग

श्री भगवानुवाच संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ। तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते॥

Transliteration

śhrī bhagavān uvācha sannyāsaḥ karma-yogaśh cha niḥśhreyasa-karāvubhau tayos tu karma-sannyāsāt karma-yogo viśhiṣhyate

Meaning

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."

Word-by-word meaning
śhrī-bhagavān uvāchathe Supreme Lord saidsanyāsaḥrenunciationkarma-yogaḥworking in devotionchaandniḥśhreyasa-karaulead to the supreme goalubhaubothtayoḥof the twotubutkarma-sanyāsātrenunciation of actionskarma-yogaḥworking in devotionviśhiṣhyateis superior
Commentary

Sannyasa (renunciation of action) and Karma Yoga (performance of action) both lead to Moksha or liberation or the highest bliss. Though both lead to Moksha, yet of the two means of attaining to Moksha? Karma Yoga is better than mere Karma Sannyasa (renunciation of action) without the knowledge of the Self. But renunciation of actions with the knowledge of the Self is decidedly superior to Karma Yoga. Moreover? Karma Yoga is easy and is therefore suitable to all. (Cf. III.3V.5VI.46)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 2?
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."
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 2 of Chapter 5 (Karm Sanyās Yog — Path of Renunciation) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.