jñeyaḥ sa nitya-sannyāsī yo na dveṣhṭi na kāṅkṣhati
nirdvandvo hi mahā-bāho sukhaṁ bandhāt pramuchyate||3||
Meaning : O mighty-armed Arjuna, That person should be considered a true renunciant (a real sannyāsī), Who neither hates anything nor craves for anything. Such a person, who is free from opposites like liking and disliking, pleasure and pain, Easily becomes free from all worldly bondage and suffering.
śhrī bhagavān uvācha
sannyāsaḥ karma-yogaśh cha niḥśhreyasa-karāvubhau
tayos tu karma-sannyāsāt karma-yogo viśhiṣhyate||2||
Meaning : Lord Krishna said:
Giving up actions (sannyasa) and performing actions without selfish desires (karma yoga) are both good paths that can lead a person to spiritual freedom and inner peace. Both can help a person reach the highest goal of life—liberation. However, between the two, selfless action is better than completely renouncing all action. Because when you act with the right attitude—without attachment or selfishness—
you grow spiritually while still living in the world and doing your responsibilities.
arjuna uvācha
sannyāsaṁ karmaṇāṁ kṛiṣhṇa punar yogaṁ cha śhansasi
yach chhreya etayor ekaṁ tan me brūhi su-niśhchitam||1||
Meaning : Arjuna said:
Krishna, sometimes you say giving up actions is good, and other times you say doing actions without selfishness is better. I’m confused between the two. Please tell me clearly which one is truly the best path.
tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaṁ hṛit-sthaṁ jñānāsinātmanaḥ
chhittvainaṁ sanśhayaṁ yogam ātiṣhṭhottiṣhṭha bhārata||42||
Meaning : Arjuna to use knowledge as a powerful weapon to cut through the doubts caused by ignorance in his heart. He urges him to rise above uncertainty and steadfastly follow the path of yoga with courage and focus.
yoga-sannyasta-karmāṇaṁ jñāna-sañchhinna-sanśhayam
ātmavantaṁ na karmāṇi nibadhnanti dhanañjaya||41||
Meaning : When a person has renounced actions by practicing yoga and has removed all doubts through true knowledge, understanding their inner self, they are no longer attached or bound by their deeds. This freedom comes from clear wisdom and self-awareness.
ajñaśh chāśhraddadhānaśh cha sanśhayātmā vinaśhyati
nāyaṁ loko ’sti na paro na sukhaṁ sanśhayātmanaḥ||40||
Meaning : Doubt and lack of faith lead to confusion and spiritual downfall. Without true knowledge and trust, a person cannot find peace or happiness, neither in this life nor beyond. Doubt is a major obstacle on the path to liberation.
śhraddhāvānllabhate jñānaṁ tat-paraḥ sanyatendriyaḥ
jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śhāntim achireṇādhigachchhati||39||
Meaning : The one who has faith gains true knowledge. When you have sincere faith, you can grasp the truth fully and clearly. Faith is like the shining lamp of yoga — it illuminates your path. Without faith, your spiritual efforts cannot last or succeed.
śhraddhāvānllabhate jñānaṁ tat-paraḥ sanyatendriyaḥ
jñānaṁ labdhvā parāṁ śhāntim achireṇādhigachchhati||39||
Meaning : The one who has faith gains true knowledge. When you have sincere faith, you can grasp the truth fully and clearly. Faith is like the shining lamp of yoga — it illuminates your path. Without faith, your spiritual efforts cannot last or succeed.
yathaidhānsi samiddho ’gnir bhasma-sāt kurute ’rjuna
jñānāgniḥ sarva-karmāṇi bhasma-sāt kurute tathā||37||
Meaning : Arjuna, understand the power of knowledge. Just as fire destroys fuel completely, when true knowledge awakens in you, it destroys all binding actions—whether good or bad. You become free. Nothing remains to hold you down, because wisdom turns even past karma into ashes.
api ched asi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpa-kṛit-tamaḥ
sarvaṁ jñāna-plavenaiva vṛijinaṁ santariṣhyasi||36||
Meaning : Arjuna, do not lose heart, even if you think you’ve done great wrong. The power of true knowledge is like a boat—it can carry you across the stormy sea of sins and mistakes. Just as a strong boat crosses a dangerous river, wisdom will help you rise above the past and reach freedom.
By Mounika Piratla 