Karma, bhakti and jnana are distinct paths

Q: Karma-yoga can be translated as devotional service when it is offered to Kṛṣṇa. What is the proof that karma yoga is different from bhakti yoga?

A: Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself tells Uddhava in the eleventh canto that there are three distinct paths.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
yogās trayo mayā proktā nṝṇāṁ śreyo-vidhitsayā
jñānaṁ karma ca bhaktiś ca nopāyo ’nyo ’sti kutracit

These three yogas—jñāna, karma, and bhakti—have been taught by Me with the intention of granting the highest good to humanity. No other means besides these can be found anywhere. (SB 11.20.6)

Q: I agree that he says in the verse that there are three paths, but where does he say that the paths are distinct? They can be the same if the consciousness of the person is devotion to Kṛṣṇa.

A: Śrī Jīva Goswam writes in his commentary on this verse in the Bhakti Sandarbha —

anena bhakteḥ karmatvaṁ ca vyāvṛttam — By this, that bhakti is essentially a form of karma is refuted.

Śrī Viśvanātha writes in his commentary —

traya ity anena karmibhiḥ karmaṇa eva, jñānibhir jñānasyaivocyamānaṁ śuddha-bhaktitvaṁ parāhatam — By the word ‘three,’ the equating of pure bhakti as merely karma by karmis, and merely jñāna by jñānīs is refuted.

The word ‘three’ implies distinct paths. If it did not, then there would be fewer than three paths. Karma yoga, jñāna yoga and bhakti yoga are distinct paths. It is not a question of consciousness, but of adhikāra – qualification. A bhakta is not qualified for karma and vice versa.