Karma

The Shloka

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कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते

मा फलेषु कदाचन ।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा

ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥

———

karmaNyevAdhikArests mA phaleshu kadAchana ।

mA karmaphalaheturbhUrmA te sa~Ngo.stvakarmani ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This profound verse from the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the principle of Nishkama Karma, or selfless action. It teaches that one should perform their duties diligently and with full effort, without being overly attached to the outcomes or rewards. By focusing on the action itself and performing it as a duty, without expecting specific results, one can achieve inner peace, detachment, and spiritual growth. It encourages a balanced approach, urging individuals to act but not become slaves to the desire for success or fear of failure, nor to fall into the trap of inaction due to fear or lethargy.

You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

Perform your duties without attachment to the results. Do not be driven by the fruits of your actions, nor become attached to inaction.

This verse is a cornerstone of the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, spoken by Lord Krishna to the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It outlines a path of action (Karma Yoga) that leads to liberation and spiritual fulfillment. The core message is about performing one’s duties with dedication and skill, but without attachment to the eventual rewards or consequences.

‘Karmanyevadhikaraste’ means that you have the legitimate right and responsibility to perform your assigned duties (karma). Your right is in the doing, in the effort you put forth. This implies that action is necessary and expected.

‘Ma phaleshu kadachana’ means never, at any time, should you be concerned with or attached to the fruits or results of your actions. The results are often influenced by many factors beyond your control, including destiny, the actions of others, and divine will. Therefore, focusing on them can lead to anxiety, disappointment, or pride, distracting you from performing the action itself effectively.

‘Ma karmaphalaheturbhurma’ means do not let the fruits of your actions be the reason or motivation for your actions. Your primary motivation should be the performance of your duty (Dharma) itself, or as an offering to the divine, rather than personal gain or reward.

‘Te sango’stvakarmani’ means do not let your attachment be to inaction (a-karma). While renouncing the fruits of action is crucial, renouncing action itself is not the goal. Inaction can arise from laziness, fear, or despair, and becoming attached to it is also a form of bondage. The verse advocates for active engagement in one’s responsibilities, but with a detached, selfless attitude. In essence, it promotes performing actions with full commitment, but without possessiveness over the outcomes, thereby purifying the mind and leading to spiritual freedom.

Sentence - 1

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कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।

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Meaning

You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.

Meaning of Words

कर्मणि	karmaNi
In action This refers to the prescribed duties, actions, or work that one is supposed to perform according to their Dharma (righteous duty) or role in life. It implies performing actions without attachment to the results, focusing on the process and the duty itself.
एवाधिकारः	evAdhikAraH
In the right/entitlement This means ‘indeed the right’ or ‘the authority’. It signifies that one possesses the legitimate entitlement or authority to engage in their prescribed actions.
ते	te
Yours This is the possessive pronoun ‘your’, referring to the individual performing the action.
मा	mA
Not A negative particle, meaning ‘do not’ or ‘never’.
फलेषु	phaleshu
In the fruits This refers to the results, outcomes, rewards, or consequences of actions. It includes both the positive and negative results that may arise from performing any deed.
कदाचन	kadAchana
At any time This means ‘at any time’ or ‘ever’. When used with ‘mA’ (not), it means ‘never’.

Sentence - 2

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मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ।

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Meaning

May you not be motivated by the fruit of action, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

Meaning of Words

कर्मफल	karmaphala
Fruit of action This refers to the results or consequences of one’s actions. It is the outcome that is expected or received from performing a duty or task.
हेतुः	hetuH
Motive/cause This means ‘reason’, ‘cause’, or ‘motive’. Here, it implies that the results of actions should not be the primary reason or motivation behind performing them.
भूः	bhU
Be This is the imperative form of the verb ‘to be’, meaning ‘let it be’ or ‘become’.
सङ्गः	sa~NgaH
Attachment This means attachment, connection, or clinging. It refers to an emotional or mental bond that can lead to desire, aversion, and suffering.
अस्तु	astu
May be This is a subjunctive or optative form, meaning ‘may it be’ or ‘let there be’.
अकर्मणि	akarmaNi
In inaction This refers to not performing one’s duties, idleness, or abstaining from action. The verse warns against developing an attachment to such inaction as well.

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