The strategy for perfection discussed in chapter 5 was non-attached action yoga. In this chapter (chapter 6), Krishna delineates another way to achieve the same goal — by the process of meditation (dhyāna) yoga or aṣṭāṅga-yoga. To set the context, Krishna draws out the relationship between non-attached action yoga and renunciation for the third time, but with a subtle twist. Those who take to renunciation tend to follow the path of meditation (dhyāna) yoga.

In chapter 3, Krishna emphatically establishes the path of action yoga to be superior to renouncing action (BG 3.7). In chapter 5, Krishna made the message even stronger by calling out that renunciation of action produces a lot of distress while engagement in yoga unavoidably leads to self-realization (BG 5.6). Note that at this point, renunciation (sannyāsa) has been misconstrued (by Arjuna) as the renunciation of action.

In chapter 6, Krishna clarifies the real meaning of renunciation (sannyāsa) by going on to say that there is actually no difference between a renunciant and an action yogi. Performing one’s prescribed duties without attachment to results makes one simultaneously a yogi and a renunciant. On the other hand, neglecting one’s duties, one is neither a yogi nor a renunciant. (BG 6.1) The key point is that one cannot be a yogi or a renunciant without renouncing the desires for sense gratification (BG 6.2). The conclusion is that real renunciation (sannyāsa) refers to the spirit of renunciation whereby one is not merely renouncing things or actions but renouncing the false material conceptions that one is a proprietor of things, a doer of actions (or a cause of results) and an enjoyer of results.

Is renouncing active life relevant for anybody? Yes, for a meditation (dhyāna) yogi in the advanced (yogārūḍha) stage. At a neophyte (yogārurukṣu) stage, a meditation yogi continues with the prescribed duties (karma). But, at an advanced (yogārūḍha) stage, the meditation yogi gives up all material engagements (śamaḥ), including even the actions involving non-attached action yoga (BG 6.3). It is noteworthy that to be very clear in His message, Krsna uses the word śamaḥ, not sannyāsa, to mean giving up of actions.

But, how does one recognize whether one is an advanced (yogārūḍha) meditation (dhyāna) yogi? An advanced (yogārūḍha) meditation yogi is one who has renounced all material desires (sarva-saṅkalpa-sannyāsī), which essentially means he/she does not engage in sense gratification (nendriyārtheṣu), or fruitive actions (karmasu). (BG 6.4) [Sense gratification means enjoying results with the senses, while fruitive action means expecting results for enjoyment.]

How does one go from the neophyte (yogārurukṣu) to the advanced (yogārūḍha) stage? Krishna answers this question in the next section.