B.G 3.20

कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः। लोकसङ्ग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन् कर्तुमर्हसि ॥२०॥

Indeed, King Janaka and others could attain perfection and be in that state by performing prescribed duties alone. You are only eligible to perform your duties, having an eye towards the welfare of the world.

Gīta Bhāshya 3.20

The knowledge of Brahman alone can give liberation. Performance of one's duties is a means to such knowledge. There are no other alternative means. 'karmaṇā' - while continuing to perform prescribed duties. Sentences that praise visiting holy places, etc. are meant to inspire ignorant towards right means, and do not directly result in liberation. King Janaka belongs to the category of Jnanins in the context of the Vedic scriptures.

आचारोपि अस्तीत्याह - कर्मणैवेति।

Even the conduct practiced (by ancestors) is relevant, is indicated by 'karmaṇaiva' verse.

कर्मणा सह कर्म कुर्वन्तः एव इत्यर्थः। कर्म कृत्वैव ततो ज्ञानं प्राप्य वा। न तु ज्ञानं विना। प्रसिद्धं हि तेषां ज्ञानित्वं भारतादिषु। 'तमेवं विद्वान्' इत्यादि श्रुतिभ्यश्च। अत्रापि कर्मणां ज्ञानसाधनत्वोक्तेश्च 'बुदि्धयुक्तः' इति। गत्यन्तरं च 'नान्यः पन्थाः' इत्यस्य नास्ति। इतरेषां ज्ञानद्वारापि अविरोधः।

'karmaṇā' word's definitive meaning is 'while continuing to perform respective duties'. Knowledge is got only after performing the duties. Without it, there is no knowledge. They (king Janaka and others) are famous indeed as knowledgeable (jñānin) in the epic Mahabharata. "He alone is the wisest" - there are such Vedic testimonials as well. Even in Gīta verse 2.51 'budidhayuktaḥ', the enjoined duties are said as a means to knowledge. The Vedic testimonial "nānyaḥ panthāḥ" i.e. "there is no other means", rejects any other path. There is no opposition elsewhere to obtain liberation with the help of knowledge.

यत्र च तीर्थाद्येव मुक्तिसाधनमुच्यते-

and, where visiting holy places is recommended as a means to liberation:

"ब्रह्मज्ञानेन वा मुक्तिः प्रयागमरणेन वा। अथवा स्नानमात्रेण गोमत्यां कृष्णसन्निधौ॥"

"Liberation can be attained either through the knowledge of Brahman or through death in Prayāga. Alternatively, by simply bathing in the river Gomati in the presence of Lord Krishna."

इत्यादौ तत्र पापादिमुक्तिः। स्तुतिपरता च। तत्रापि हि कुत्रचित् ब्रह्मज्ञानसाधनत्वमेव उच्यते अन्यथा मुक्तिं निषिद्ध्य-

- such statements refer to freedom from results of accumulated sins. They are meant to praise such austerities. Indeed, even there, to an extent, such acts are advocated as a means to obtain the knowledge of Brahman. Without it, liberation is not possible.

"ब्रह्मज्ञानं विना मुक्तिः न कथञ्चिदपीष्यते। प्रयागादेस्तु या मुक्तिर्ज्ञानोपायत्वमेव हि॥"

"Without the knowledge of Brahman, liberation is not possible at any cost. Indeed, visiting holy places such as Prayag are suggested to gain knowledge, as a means to liberation."

इत्यादौ। न च तीर्थस्तुतिवाक्यानि तत्प्रस्तावेप्युक्तम् ज्ञाननियमं घ्नन्ति। यथा कञ्चिद् दक्षं भृत्यं प्रत्युक्तानि -

- there are such statements as well. When statements that praise holy places are presented, they do not contradict the rule that knowledge (of Brahman) is a must (for liberation). It is similar to addressing an able servant with praise, saying:

"अयमेव हि राजा किं राज्ञा"

"This one indeed is king. What you say, O King?"

इत्यादीनि।

-and such other statements.

यथाह भगवान्-

Therefore, the Lord said:

"यानि तीर्थादिवाक्यानि कर्मादिविषयाणि च। स्तावकान्येव तानि स्युरज्ञानां मोहकानि वा। भवेन्मोक्षस्तु मद्दृष्टेः र्नान्यतस्तु कथञ्चन॥"

"Such statements about pilgrimage places are eulogies to praise topics related to actions meant for the ignorant and deluded. The liberation happens by having the vision of mine alone, not otherwise."

इति नारदीये।

-stated thus in Nāradīya Purana.

अतः अपरोक्षज्ञानादेव मोक्षः। कर्म तु तत्साधनमेव ॥२०॥

Hence, by the transcendental knowledge alone, liberation is possible. The prescribed duties are only the means to such knowledge.