The Yoga of Meditation

Krishna opens Chapter 6 by clarifying what true renunciation (saṁnyāsa) and yoga actually mean. Many people think renunciation means abandoning duties, rituals, or worldly action. But Krishna says: 'anāśritaḥ karma-phalam'—one who doesn't depend on fruits of action—'kāryaṁ karma karoti'—performs duty as duty. That person is both 'saṁnyāsī ca yogī ca'—true renunciate AND true yogi. The false renunciate is 'nirāgniḥ'—one who abandons sacred fire (rituals) or 'akriyaḥ'—one who abandons action. Real renunciation isn't about what you abandon externally—it's about inner detachment from results. You perform your duty (kāryaṁ karma) but don't depend on outcomes (anāśritaḥ karma-phalam). This sets up the chapter's core teaching: meditation and yoga require performing duties without attachment, not escaping from action.