Word meanings
- śrī-bhagavān uvāca
- the Supreme Lord said
- sanyāsaḥ
- renunciation
- karma-yogaḥ
- working in devotion
- ca
- and
- niḥśreyasa-karau
- lead to the supreme goal
- ubhau
- both
- tayoḥ
- of the two
- tu
- but
- karma-sanyāsāt
- renunciation of actions
- karma-yogaḥ
- working in devotion
- viśiṣyate
- is superior
Translations
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."
Lord Shri Krishna replied: Both renunciation of action and the path of right action lead to the highest; however, right action is the better of the two.
The Blessed Lord said, "Both renunciation of actions and Karma-yoga lead to liberation; however, Karma-yoga excels over renunciation of actions."
श्रीभगवान् बोले -- संन्यास (सांख्ययोग) और कर्मयोग दोनों ही कल्याण करनेवाले हैं। परन्तु उन दोनोंमें भी कर्मसंन्यास- (सांख्ययोग-) से कर्मयोग श्रेष्ठ है।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)