Commentary

Commentary

Krishna begins His answer by presenting two definitions side by side. Sannyasa, as understood by the learned, means the complete abandonment of actions that are motivated by material desires (kamya karma). Tyaga, as understood by the experienced, means continuing to perform actions but giving up all attachment to their results.

This is a crucial distinction. The desire to act for personal gain — for wealth, fame, pleasure, or even heavenly reward — that is what sannyasa asks a person to abandon. But tyaga goes further in one sense and is more practical in another: it does not ask you to stop acting. It asks you to stop clinging to outcomes.

The Bhagavad Gita’s consistent teaching, from chapter 2 onward, has been that action itself cannot be abandoned. As long as one lives in a body, one must act. But the spiritual aspirant should give up actions driven purely by selfish desire. And beyond that, even prescribed duties should be performed without attachment to their fruits.

Krishna uses two different words for the wise — kavayah (learned thinkers) and vichakshanah (experienced, discerning ones) — suggesting that different schools of thought emphasize different aspects of renunciation. In the following verses, He will give His own definitive verdict on the matter.