Chapter 05: Yoga of Renunciation of Action

In Chapters III and IV the Lord explained three forms of Karma Yoga that are practiced for a person’s spiritual development: 1) Sakām Yajña (sacrifice motivated by desire), 2) Niśkām Yajña (sacrifice with no self-interest), and 3) Jñāna Yajña (sacrifice of knowledge). The Lord praised both Karma Yoga and Jñāna Yoga. However, Arjuna could not clearly understand which of these paths was superior and which was right for him to practice. This shows that his confusion was not removed completely. Therefore Chapter V opens with a similar doubt of Arjuna.