Kavayaḥ
are the learned. Shree Krishna states that learned people consider
sanyās
as the renunciation of works. Those who renounce works for material enjoyment and enter the renounced order are called
karm sanyāsīs
. They continue to do some of the
nitya karm
(daily works for the maintenance of the body), but they renounce
kāmya karm
(works related to acquisition of wealth, progeny, prestige, status, power, etc). Such works bind the soul further in the wheel of karma and lead to repeated rebirths in the
samsara
of birth and death.
Vichakṣhaṇāḥ
are the wise. Shree Krishna states that wise people lay emphasis on
tyāg
, meaning “internal renunciation.” This implies not relinquishing the prescribed Vedic duties, rather renouncing the desires for enjoying their fruits. Therefore, the attitude of giving up attachment to the rewards of actions is
tyāg
, while the attitude of giving up works is sanyas. Both
sanyās
and
tyāg
seem plausible and reasonable options to pursue for enlightenment. Of these two courses of action, which one does Shree Krishna recommend? He provides more clarity on this topic in the subsequent verses.