Chapter 5, Verse 1 (Bhagavad Gita 5.1)
Chapter 5: Karm Sanyās Yog – Path of Renunciation
Sanskrit Shloka
अर्जुन उवाच संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि। यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्िचतम्
Transliteration
arjuna uvācha sannyāsaṁ karmaṇāṁ kṛiṣhṇa punar yogaṁ cha śhansasi yach chhreya etayor ekaṁ tan me brūhi su-niśhchitam
Word Meanings
arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; sanyāsam—renunciation; karmaṇām—of actions; kṛiṣhṇa—Shree Krishna; punaḥ—again; yogam—about karm yog; cha—also; śhansasi—you praise; yat—which; śhreyaḥ—more beneficial; etayoḥ—of the two; ekam—one; tat—that; me—unto me; brūhi—please tell; su-niśhchitam—conclusively
Translation
Arjuna said: O Krishna, You speak of the renunciation of actions, and yet again of selfless service (Karma Yoga). Tell me decisively which of these two is superior.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reflects the eternal human struggle between withdrawal from the world and active engagement. Arjuna represents the confused mind seeking a clear, singular path to liberation, highlighting that spiritual conflict often stems from intellectual duality. Krishna’s response, which follows, reveals that true renunciation is not the abandoning of duties, but the abandoning of selfish desire. It teaches us that the highest state of being is found in internal detachment while maintaining external activity, bridging the gap between sacred silence and worldly duty.