The word
karm yog
has been used in this verse. It consists of two main concepts
karm
(occupational duties) and
Yog
(union with God). Hence, a
karm yogi
is one who performs worldly duties while keeping the mind attached to God. Such a
karm yogi
is not bound by karma even while performing all kinds of works. This is because what binds one to the law of karma is not actions, but the attachment to the fruits of those actions. And a
karm yogi
has no attachment to the fruits of action. On the other hand, a false renunciant renounces action, but does not forsake attachment, and thus remains bound in the law of karma.
Shree Krishna says here that a person in household life who practices
karm yog
is superior to the false renunciant who continues to dwell on the objects of the senses in the mind. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj contrasts these two situations very beautifully
mana hari meṅ tana jagat meṅ, karmayog tehi jāna
tana hari meṅ mana jagat meṅ, yaha mahāna ajñāna
(Bhakti Śhatak verse 84)
[v3]
“When one works in the world with the body, but keeps the mind attached to God, know it to be
karm yog
. When one engages in spirituality with the body, but keeps the mind attached to the world, know it to be hypocrisy.”