偈颂 5.15.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.85.95.105.115.125.135.145.155.165.175.185.195.205.215.225.235.245.255.265.275.285.29

Arjuna said Renunciation of actions, O Krishna, Thou praisest, and again Yoga. Tell me conclusively that which is the better of the two.

Arjuna said: Krishna, you praise the renunciation of actions and then again the yoga of action. Tell me with certainty which one of these two is better.

The fifth chapter opens with Arjuna's renewed confusion. At the close of the previous chapter, Krishna spoke of renouncing action through yoga and also urged him to rise and act. To Arjuna these sound like two different paths: sannyāsa, renunciation of action, and karmayoga, the yoga of action. He asks once more for a clear verdict on which is better. The question echoes the one that opened the third chapter, showing how hard it is to grasp that inner renunciation and outer action can belong together.