The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation

Krishna clarifies the distinction Arjuna seeks. 'Kāmyānāṁ karmaṇāṁ nyāsaṁ'—renunciation of desired actions. The wise (kavayo) understand sannyasa as abandoning actions motivated by desire. But notice: it's not abandoning all action—it's abandoning 'kāmyānāṁ' (desired/selfish actions). Then, 'sarva-karma-phala-tyāgaṁ'—relinquishing the fruits of all actions. The learned (vicakṣaṇāḥ) call tyaga the abandonment of attachment to results. This is the key distinction: sannyasa is about renouncing selfish actions, while tyaga is about relinquishing attachment to fruits. They're related but different. True renunciation isn't abandoning duty—it's renouncing selfish desires. True relinquishment isn't stopping action—it's letting go of attachment to outcomes. This sets up the chapter's core teaching: you can perform duty without attachment to results.