कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥ ४७ ॥
karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stv akarmaṇi
karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stv akarmaṇi
Word by word
Translation
Your right is to action alone, never to its fruits. Do not make the fruit of action your motive, and do not be attached to inaction either.
तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, उसके फलों में कभी नहीं। तुम कर्मफल को अपना उद्देश्य मत बनाओ, और कर्म न करने में भी तुम्हारी आसक्ति न हो।
Explanation
Shri Krishna tells Arjuna that only one’s action is in one’s own hands; the result depends on many factors. So do your work with full dedication, but do not let worry about the fruit take over your mind. At the same time, giving up action out of worry about the fruit is not right either. This is the principle of nishkama karma, which the Gita later calls karma yoga.
How this verse connects
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर ।एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च ।Frequently asked questions
Which chapter is the verse "karmanye vadhikaraste" from?
It is the 47th verse of the second chapter (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
Does it mean one should not desire results at all?
The verse forbids making the fruit the motive of action, and it also forbids giving up action. Keep your attention on the quality of the action, not on the outcome.
Who spoke this verse, and to whom?
Shri Krishna, to Arjuna, at Kurukshetra.
Sources
- Original text: Bhagavad Gita (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
- English and Hindi translation, explanation: SanatanBodh editorial team
Something wrong? Report a mistake
