By: Rajendra Kapil

The central message of this chapter is — Karma Sannyasa Yoga. In this chapter, Lord Krishna beautifully and insightfully explains the difference between renunciation of action and performing action without attachment.
By now, Arjuna had gained significant insight into the concept of nishkama karma (selfless action), but a new question arose in his mind — “Which path is better — renunciation of actions or performing them without attachment?”
This chapter begins by addressing that very question.

Lord Krishna replies that both Karma Sannyasa (renouncing actions) and Nishkama Karma (selfless action) ultimately lead to the same destination — self-realization and liberation. However, He emphasizes that the path of Nishkama Karma is easier, more practical, and more applicable to daily life. It is a path of devotion and surrender. Let’s try to understand these two paths more deeply.

 Renunciation of Action

Renunciation of action means the inner renunciation of the ego of doership.
Whatever action you perform, do it with sincerity and full dedication, but surrender the result to the Lord.
Act as if you are merely an instrument, and the Lord is the real doer. This surrender of ownership and the sense of “I did it” is what defines karma sannyasa.
Letting go of the ego that arises from achievement is the true Karma Sannyasa Yoga.
Lord Krishna explains this idea to Arjuna through various logical perspectives.

 Selfless Action (Nishkama Karma)

In nishkama karma, the person acts with full integrity and sincerity, but the action is done with equanimity, where both success and failure are accepted equally.

Such a yogi remains joyful and stable in both situations. This approach reflects the detachment and equanimity found in the words of Kabir:

“Kabira stands in the marketplace, wishing well to all,
He makes no close friendships, nor bears enmity with anyone.”

Similarly, Lord Krishna says in Chapter 2 of the Gita:

“Karmanyevadhikaraste, Ma phaleshu kadachana.
Ma karmaphalaheturbhurma te sangostvakarmani.” (2.47)

Meaning: You have a right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits thereof.
Do not consider yourself the cause of the results, and do not be attached to inaction either.

 Renouncing the Fruits and Attaining Peace

“Yuktah karma-phalam tyaktva shantimapnoti naishthikim;
Ayuktah kama-karena phale sakto nibadhyate.” (5.12)

Meaning: The selfless yogi attains supreme peace by giving up the fruits of action, whereas one who is attached to the outcome becomes bound by it.

 God’s Justice and Higher Wisdom

“Naadatte kasyachit paapam na chaiva sukritam vibhu;
Ajnaanenavritam jnanam tena muhyanti jantavah.” (5.15)

Here, Lord Krishna makes a profound statement:
The Divine does not accept one’s sins or virtues; He simply observes the true intentions of the heart.
As Tulsidas wrote in the Ramcharitmanas:

“The one with a pure mind alone attains Me — I do not delight in deception or pretentiousness.”

Sometimes, even if a devotee acts wrongly in anger but with a pure heart, the Lord still accepts it with love.
In one instance from the Ramayana, even when Sage Narada cursed Lord Rama out of anger, Lord Rama humbly accepted the curse and incarnated as a human to fulfill it — because Narada’s bhava (devotional intention) was pure.

The Yoga of Equanimity

“Ihaiva tairjitah sargo yesham samye sthitam manah;
Nirdosham hi samam brahma tasmat brahmani te sthitah.” (5.19)

This verse explains samattva — the state of equanimity.
In simple terms, this means remaining steady in both joy and sorrow, gain and loss, heat and cold.

An ordinary person becomes elated in pleasure and broken in pain. But a wise person understands that both are temporary.
Hence, such people surrender everything to God and lead a blissful, untroubled life.
They place full faith in the divine plan and do not become disturbed.
These yogis, who have conquered their senses and dedicated their every act to the Lord, are the dearest to God.
And for such devotees, Lord Krishna takes personal responsibility for their wellbeing.

In the final chapter of the Gita, Krishna makes a solemn declaration:

“Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja;
Aham tva sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma shuchah.”

Meaning: Renounce all duties and come to Me alone for refuge.
I shall liberate you from all sins; do not grieve.

Surrender all your actions to Me with full faith — I will liberate you and carry all your burdens.

 The Final Message

“Bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-maheshvaram;
Suhridam sarva-bhutanam jnatva mam shantim ricchhati.” (5.29)

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna: When a soul realizes that I am the enjoyer of all sacrifices and penance, the Supreme Ruler of all worlds, and the true well-wisher of every living being, then that soul attains supreme peace.

 In the end, selfless action, equanimity, and complete surrender to the Divine are the true essence of spiritual life. This is the heart of Karma Sannyasa Yoga.
My heartfelt salutations to all lovers of the Gita. Jai Shri Krishna!