Chapter VI · Śloka 2
यं सन्न्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव |
न ह्यसन्न्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन ||
न ह्यसन्न्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन ||
yaṃ sannyāsam iti prāhur yogaṃ taṃ viddhi pāṇḍava |
na hy asannyasta-saṅkalpo yogī bhavati kaścana ||
na hy asannyasta-saṅkalpo yogī bhavati kaścana ||
What they call renunciation, know that to be yoga, O Pāṇḍava; for no one becomes a yogī who has not renounced selfish resolve.
Renunciation and yoga are two names for the same inner movement. The critical element is sankalpa — the volitional grasping at particular outcomes. Until that grasping is released, even the most devoted practice remains self-serving.