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Chapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness · 29 verses

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Duty & actionChapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
5.15.3

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.2

Detached action performed in devotion

श्रीभगवानुवाच

सन्न्यास: कर्मयोगश्च नि:श्रेयसकरावुभौ ।

तयोस्तु कर्मसन्न्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥ २ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

sannyāsaḥ karma-yogaś ca

niḥśreyasa-karāv ubhau

tayos tu karma-sannyāsāt

karma-yogo viśiṣyate

Translation

The Personality of Godhead replied: The renunciation of work and work in devotion are both good for liberation. But, of the two, work in devotional service is better than renunciation of work.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Work in Devotion Is Better

  1. 1Both giving up work and working in devotion help one gain liberation, but devotional service is better.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that knowing we are spirit souls is not enough; we must act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness to escape material bondage.
  3. 3Use things in Kṛṣṇa’s service, knowing that everything belongs to Him.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 5, Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness: detached action performed in devotion.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Renunciation

Renunciation and work in devotion are discussed together.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 5.2 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 5 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 6.1Renunciation in the midst of actionBG 18.2Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruitsBG 18.11Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruits

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 5.2 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.