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Chapter 3 Verses 3.3–9

Niṣkāma-Karma-Yoga is better for Arjuna than Jñāna-yoga

3.3 Two types of people - jñāna-yogīs who renouce work and karma-yogīs who do prescribed work.

3.4–5 Premature renunciation of work is not recommended, because inaction is unnatural

3.6–9 A pretender externally renouces work but internally dwells on sense objects. Better perform prescribed work for Viṣṇu and avoid bondage.

A summary chart on the flow of Chapter Three 3.1–43
  1. 3.1-2 Arjuna's confusion – 'Renunciation or Action?'
  2. 3.3-16 Renunciation (jñāna-yoga) is difficult; prescribed action with detachment (niṣkāma-karma-yoga) is better for Arjuna; go from karma-kāṇḍa to karma-yoga.
  3. 3.17-35 Even if qualified for renunciation, Arjuna should do niṣkāma-karma-yoga to set the right example.
  4. 3.36-43 Lust is a formidable enemy; conquer it by deliberate spiritual intelligence.

The last step leads back to the first.