Word meanings
- śreyaḥ
- better
- hi
- for
- jñānam
- knowledge
- abhyāsāt
- than (mechanical) practice
- jñānāt
- than knowledge
- dhyānam
- meditation
- viśiṣyate
- better
- dhyānāt
- than meditation
- karma-phala-tyāgaḥ
- renunciation of the fruits of actions
- tyāgāt
- renunciation
- śāntiḥ
- peace
- anantaram
- immediately
Translations
Better indeed is knowledge than practice; better than knowledge is meditation; better than meditation is the renunciation of the fruits of actions: peace immediately follows renunciation.
Knowledge is superior to blind action, meditation is superior to knowledge, renunciation of the fruit of action is superior to meditation, and peace follows from renunciation.
Knowledge is certainly superior to practice; meditation surpasses knowledge. The renunciation of the results of works surpasses meditation. From renunciation, peace follows immediately.
अभ्याससे शास्त्रज्ञान श्रेष्ठ है, शास्त्रज्ञानसे ध्यान श्रेष्ठ है और ध्यानसे भी सब कर्मोंके फलका त्याग श्रेष्ठ है। कर्मफलत्यागसे तत्काल ही परमशान्ति प्राप्त हो जाती है।Commentary
Theoretical or indirect knowledge of Brahman gained from the scriptures is better than the practice (of restraining the modifications of the mind or worship of idols or selfmortification for the purpose of control of the mind and the senses) accompained with ignorance. Meditation is better than theoretical knowledge. Renunciation of the fruits of actions is bettern than meditation. Renunciation of the fruits of all actions as a means to the attainment of supreme peace or Moksha is merely eulogised here by the declaration of the superiority of one over the other to encourage Arjuna (and other spiritual aspirants) to practise Nishkama Karma Yoga, to create a strong desire in them to take up the Yoga of selfless action, in the same manner as by saying that the ocean was drunk by the Brahmana sage Agastya even the Brahmanas of this age are extolled because they are also Brahmanas.
Desire is an enemy of peace. Desire causes restlessness of the mind. Desire is the source of all human miseries, sorrows and troubles. Stop the play of desire through discrimination, dispassion and eniry into the nature of the Self then you will enjoy supreme peace. Renunciation of the fruits of actions, is prescribed for the purification of the aspirants heart. It annihlates desire, the enemy of wisdom. The sage, too, renounces the fruits of actions. It has become natural to him to do so.