श्रीभगवानुवाच | संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ | तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते || २ ||
śrī bhagavān uvāca sannyāsaḥ karma-yogaś ca niḥśreyasa-karāv ubhau tayos tu karma-sannyāsāt karma-yogo viśiṣyate
śrī bhagavān uvāca—the Supreme Lord said; sannyāsaḥ—renunciation of work; karma-yogaḥ—work in devotion; ca—also; niḥśreyasa-karau—both lead to the highest good; ubhau—both; tayoḥ—of the two; tu—but; karma-sannyāsāt—compared to renunciation of action; karma-yogaḥ—work in devotion; viśiṣyate—is better.
“The Blessed Lord said: Both renunciation of action and the yoga of action lead to the highest good. But of the two, the yoga of action is superior to the renunciation of action.”
Both Sannyasa and Karma Yoga lead ultimately to liberation. However, for one who is not yet established in knowledge of the Self, outright renunciation of action without inner detachment is difficult and can breed hypocrisy. Karma Yoga — acting without ego-identification and without craving for results — is practically superior for most seekers because it purifies the mind gradually and does not require premature abandonment of one's station in life.
Rather than forcing yourself into a monastic life before you are ready, practice inner renunciation now: perform your duties fully while releasing your grip on outcomes. This active surrender is both more honest and more effective for most people.