Which is better for the ignorant, Karma-Yoga or Sannyāsa?
The question is not with reference to the enlightened.
Karma-Yoga and Sannyāsa inapplicable to the enlightened.
अर्जुन उवाच :—
संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंसति ।
यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम् ॥ १ ॥
arjuna uvāca :—
saṃnyāsaṃ karmaṇāṃ kṛṣṇa punaryogaṃ ca śaṃsati .
yacchreya etayorekaṃ tanme brūhi suniścitam .. 1 ..
Arjuna said :
Renunciation of actions, O Kṛṣṇa, Thou praisest, and again Yoga. Tell me conclusively that which is the better of the two.
Read the commentary
Thou teachest renunciation of those actions which are enjoined in the sastras, and Thou teachest also that performance of those very actions is necessary. I have, therefore, a doubt as to which of them is better, performance of (prescribed) actions or renunciation of those actions. It is the better course which must be followed. Wherefore tell me conclusively that one,—it being impossible for one man to resort to both at the same time,—be it performance of actions or renunciation of actions, by which you think I may attain to perfection.
Karma-Yoga suits the ignorant better than Samnyasa.
To state His own opinion with a view to clear the doubt, the Lord says :