Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 2

श्रीभगवानुवाच | सन्न्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ | तयोस्तु कर्मसन्न्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ||

śrī-bhagavān uvāca sannyāsaḥ karma-yogaś ca niḥśreyasa-karāv ubhau tayos tu karma-sannyāsāt karma-yogo viśiṣyate

The Blessed Lord said: Both renunciation and the yoga of action lead to the highest good. But of these two, the yoga of action is superior to renunciation of action.

Krishna answers Arjuna's question directly: both renunciation (sannyasa) and karma yoga (selfless action) lead to liberation (niḥśreyasa—the highest good). But between these two, karma yoga is superior (viśiṣyate). Why? Because renunciation requires physical withdrawal from the world, while karma yoga allows you to achieve liberation while fulfilling your duties. Karma yoga integrates wisdom into daily life rather than requiring you to escape it. The key insight: both paths work, but action with detachment is more practical and accessible for most people. You don't need to abandon your responsibilities to be spiritual—you need to perform them without attachment.