Shloka 2
अक्षरब्रह्मयोग (Akṣara-Brahma-Yoga) — Knowledge of the Imperishable, Prakṛti, and Devotion
श्रीभगवानुवाच संन्यास: कर्मयोगश्न नि:श्रेयसकरावुभौ । तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात् कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते
śrī-bhagavān uvāca: saṃnyāsaḥ karma-yogaś ca niḥśreyasa-karāv ubhau | tayos tu karma-saṃnyāsāt karma-yogo viśiṣyate ||
The Blessed Lord said: Both renunciation and the discipline of selfless action lead to the highest good. Yet, between the two, the path of action offered without attachment is superior to mere abandonment of works—because it guides one to freedom while still fulfilling one’s rightful duty.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Both renunciation (saṃnyāsa) and selfless action (karma-yoga) can lead to the highest good (niḥśreyasa), but karma-yoga is praised as superior because it enables spiritual progress while one continues to perform one’s rightful duties without attachment.
In the midst of the Kurukṣetra crisis, Arjuna seeks clarity about the best path. Kṛṣṇa responds by comparing renunciation and disciplined action, steering Arjuna toward karma-yoga as the practical and ethically grounded way to act rightly without being bound by action.