Introduction to the 5th chapter

After Krishna has explained karma yoga in chapter 3 and jnana yoga in chapter 4 in so much detail, our friend Arjuna has another big question for Krishna. In the BG there are 16 major questions asked by Arjuna to Krishna and verse 5.1 is the 5th question from Arjuna. We will go over all 16 questions below. Before that, we can talk about what chapter 5 is all about. 

At the outset, Arjuna is perplexed. He's caught between two paths – that of "renunciation" (Sanyasa) and that of "selfless action" (Nishkama Karma Yoga). Krishna clarifies that both paths can lead to ultimate truth, but their approaches differ. 

In this chapter, Shri Krishna talks about the following topics:True Renunciation, the role of a renunciate, how to rise above the dualities of nature, the state of a self realized soul, and the ultimate goal of liberation.

Now let us go over the 16 major questions that Arjuna has asked Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

Q1. Shloka 2.7

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभाव:

पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेता: |

यच्छ्रेय: स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे

शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् || 7||

kārpaṇya-doṣhopahata-svabhāvaḥ

pṛichchhāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-chetāḥ

yach-chhreyaḥ syānniśhchitaṁ brūhi tanme

śhiṣhyaste ’haṁ śhādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam

I am confused about my duty, and am besieged with anxiety and faintheartedness. I am Your disciple, and am surrendered to You. Please advise me on what is certainly best for me.

This question pretty much sets the stage for the rest of the Bhagavad Gita.