Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of KnowledgeKrishna
Verse 47
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 2, श्लोक 47
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥४७॥
Transliteration
Karmany-Eva-Adhikaras-Te Ma Phaleshu Kadachana.
Ma Karma-Phala-Hetur-Bhur-Ma Te Sango'stv-Akarmani.||47||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
कर्मणिkarmaniin action
एवevaalone
अधिकारःadhikarahright/authority
तेteyour
माmanever
फलेषुphaleshuin the fruits
कदाचनkadachanaat any time
मा कर्मफलहेतुः भूःma karma-phala-hetuh bhuhdo not be the cause of the fruit of action
मा ते सङ्गः अस्तुma te sangah astulet there not be attachment
अकर्मणिakarmaniin inaction
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, कर्म के फलों में कभी नहीं। तुम कर्मफल के कारण मत बनो, और कर्म न करने में भी तुम्हारी आसक्ति न हो।
English Translation
You have a right to perform your duty, but never to the fruits of action. Do not let the fruits of action be your motive, nor let there be attachment to inaction.
Commentary (टीका)
This is the most celebrated verse of the Bhagavad Gita and the essence of Karma Yoga. Four instructions are given: (1) perform your duty, (2) don't claim the results, (3) don't let results motivate you, (4) don't become inactive. This teaching revolutionized spiritual practice — one need not renounce action, only attachment to its fruits.