श्रीभगवानुवाच संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ । तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥
śrī bhagavān uvāca sannyāsaḥ karmayogaśca niḥśreyasakarāvubhau | tayostu karmasannyāsātkarmayogo viśiṣyate ||
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: Renunciation and the yoga of action both lead to the highest bliss. But of the two, the yoga of action is superior to the renunciation of action.
Interpretation
Krishna's answer is pragmatic: both paths lead to liberation, but karma yoga (selfless action) is better suited for most people because it works with human nature rather than against it. Pure renunciation requires extraordinary inner purity; karma yoga cultivates that purity through engaged living. The best renunciation is not abandonment of work, but abandonment of the ego's claim on results.