Arjuna said: Krishna, you praise both renunciation of action and yoga of action. Tell me clearly which one is definitely better for my welfare.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 5.1
Hindi · हिन्दी
अर्जुन बोले हे कृष्ण आप कर्मोंका स्वरूपसे त्याग करनेकी और फिर कर्मयोगकी प्रशंसा करते हैं । अतः इन दोनों साधनोंमें जो एक निश्चितरूपसे कल्याणकारक हो, उसको मेरे लिये कहिये ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
अर्जुन उवाचArjuna saidसंन्यासम्renunciationकर्मणाम्of actionsकृष्णKrishnaपुनःagainयोगम्yogaचandशंससिyou praiseयत्whichश्रेयःbetter for welfareएतयोःof these twoएकम्oneतत्thatमेto meब्रूहिtellसुनिश्चितम्definitely
Read literallyArjuna said · renunciation · of actions · Krishna · again · yoga · and · you praise · which · better for welfare · of these two · one · that · to me · tell · definitely
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the reader from vague spiritual confusion to a direct search for the more beneficial way to live.
Arjuna asks Krishna to choose between renouncing action and acting with discipline, and wants the one path that is clearly best.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still shaken and unsure. Krishna has spoken of both renunciation and action, and Arjuna now asks which path truly leads to lasting good. This verse opens the chapter’s central question.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You are torn between quitting a draining commitment and staying to do it well. The mind wants a clean answer, not more philosophy.
The takeaway
“It is honest to ask for clarity when two noble paths seem to pull in different directions.”
It shifts the reader from vague spiritual confusion to a direct search for the more beneficial way to live.
What this verse means
Arjuna asks Krishna to choose between renouncing action and acting with discipline, and wants the one path that is clearly best.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still shaken and unsure. Krishna has spoken of both renunciation and action, and Arjuna now asks which path truly leads to lasting good. This verse opens the chapter’s central question.
Why this verse still matters
You are torn between quitting a draining commitment and staying to do it well. The mind wants a clean answer, not more philosophy.
“It is honest to ask for clarity when two noble paths seem to pull in different directions.”
Explore related themes: arjuna (52 verses), renunciation (14 verses)