Mere action is far inferior to the yoga of understanding (buddhi yoga), O Dhananjaya. Take refuge in that understanding; those who act for the sake of results are pitiable.
Explanation
Krishna continues advising Arjuna, building on the previous verse's call to act with balance. Action by itself is far inferior to the discipline of steady understanding (buddhiyoga), so Arjuna should take refuge in that understanding (buddhi). Those driven by results are called pitiable (kṛpaṇa), a word that literally means miserly. Commentators differ on whether buddhiyoga here means a discipline of knowledge or the practice of selfless action, but all agree it contrasts with result-driven action.