1
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana | mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stvakarmaṇi
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty."
The most famous verse on karma. Krishna establishes the fundamental principle: focus on the action, not the result. This removes anxiety about outcomes and ensures consistent performance.
2
"Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga."
— Bhagavad Gita 2.48
True yoga is maintaining mental balance whether you succeed or fail. This equanimity in action is the secret to peace.
3
कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः।
जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ताः पदं गच्छन्त्यनामयम्॥
karma-jaṁ buddhi-yuktā hi phalaṁ tyaktvā manīṣhiṇaḥ | janma-bandha-vinirmuktāḥ padaṁ gachchhanty anāmayam
"The wise, engaged in devotional service, take refuge in the Lord and free themselves from the cycle of birth and death by renouncing the fruits of action. Thus they attain that state beyond all miseries."
When we work without attachment to results, we break free from the cycle of karma and rebirth, achieving liberation.
4
"Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities acquired from the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment."
— Bhagavad Gita 3.5
Action is inevitable - even sitting still involves breathing and thinking. The question isn't whether to act, but how to act wisely.
5
"It is better to engage in one's own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another's occupation and perform it perfectly."
— Bhagavad Gita 3.35
Your authentic path, even with flaws, is superior to perfectly imitating someone else's dharma. Be yourself.
6
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः।
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसंगः समाचर॥
yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ | tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samāchara
"Work done as a sacrifice for the Divine is liberating. Otherwise, work binds one to this material world."
The same action can either bind or liberate you - it depends on your attitude. Offer your work as service to the Divine.
7
"Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform the duty that should be done, for by performing action without attachment, one attains the Supreme."
— Bhagavad Gita 3.19
Consistent, detached action is itself a spiritual path leading to the highest realization.
8
"Just as fire is covered by smoke, mirror by dust, and embryo by the womb, similarly, knowledge is covered by desire."
— Bhagavad Gita 3.38
Selfish desires cloud our judgment and create karmic bondage. Pure action requires transcending personal desires.
9
गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः।
यज्ञायाचरतः कर्म समग्रं प्रविलीयते॥
gata-saṅgasya muktasya jñānāvasthita-chetasaḥ | yajñāyācharataḥ karma samagraṁ pravilīyate
"One who is free from attachment, liberated, with mind established in knowledge, performing work as sacrifice - all karma is dissolved."
When work becomes worship, it doesn't create new karma. This is the secret of karma-free action.
10
"One who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is intelligent among humans and is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities."
— Bhagavad Gita 4.18
The wise understand that the soul doesn't act - only the body and mind do. This realization brings freedom even while working.
11
"Having abandoned attachment to the fruits of action, ever satisfied, without dependency, though engaged in actions, one does nothing at all."
— Bhagavad Gita 4.20
Paradoxically, when you act without ego and attachment, you transcend action even while performing it.
12
"The humble sage sees with equal vision a learned brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and an outcaste."
— Bhagavad Gita 5.18
True wisdom in karma yoga means treating all beings equally, performing duty without discrimination.
13
नैव किञ्चित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित्।
पश्यञ्शृण्वन्स्पृशञ्जिघ्रन्नश्नन्गच्छन्स्वपञ्श्वसन्॥
naiva kiñchit karomīti yukto manyeta tattva-vit | paśhyañ śhṛiṇvan spṛiśhañ jighrann aśhnan gachchhan svapañ śhvasan
"A person in divine consciousness, although engaged in seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving, sleeping, and breathing, always knows within that they do nothing at all."
The realized soul understands that all actions are performed by the body's senses, not by the eternal self.
14
"One who performs their duty without attachment, surrendering the results to the Supreme, is not affected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water."
— Bhagavad Gita 5.10
Like a lotus in muddy water remains pure, one who offers actions to the Divine remains untouched by karma.
15
"For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain the greatest enemy."
— Bhagavad Gita 6.6
Mind control is essential for karma yoga. An undisciplined mind creates negative karma through wrong actions.
16
"Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give away, whatever austerities you practice - do that as an offering to Me."
— Bhagavad Gita 9.27
Transform every action into devotion. When all activities become offerings, life itself becomes yoga.
17
समोऽहं सर्वभूतेषु न मे द्वेष्योऽस्ति न प्रियः।
ये भजन्ति तु मां भक्त्या मयि ते तेषु चाप्यहम्॥
samo 'haṁ sarva-bhūteṣhu na me dveṣhyo 'sti na priyaḥ | ye bhajanti tu māṁ bhaktyā mayi te teṣhu chāpy aham
"I am equally disposed to all living entities. There is no one hateful or dear to Me. But those who worship Me with devotion, they are in Me, and I am also in them."
The law of karma is impartial, but devotional action creates a special connection with the Divine.
18
"Those who are motivated only by desire for the fruits of action are miserable, for they are constantly anxious about the results of what they do."
— Bhagavad Gita 2.49
Attachment to results creates suffering. Freedom comes from focusing on the action itself.
19
"The steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated peace because they offer the results of all activities to Me."
— Bhagavad Gita 12.12
Peace isn't found in getting what you want, but in surrendering what you get to the Divine.
20
"From anger comes delusion, from delusion loss of memory, from loss of memory destruction of intelligence, and from destruction of intelligence one perishes."
— Bhagavad Gita 2.63
The chain reaction of negative karma: anger leads to poor decisions, creating more negative consequences.
21
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः।
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते॥
prakṛiteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśhaḥ | ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate
"All activities are carried out by the three modes of material nature. But in ignorance, the soul, deluded by false ego, thinks 'I am the doer.'"
The ego creates karma by claiming ownership of actions that nature performs through us.
22
"One who restrains the senses and organs of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes themselves and is called a pretender."
— Bhagavad Gita 3.6
True karma yoga requires mental purity, not just external restraint. Actions must align with thoughts.
23
"Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows their nature. What can repression accomplish?"
— Bhagavad Gita 3.33
Work with your nature, not against it. Karma yoga means redirecting natural tendencies toward higher purposes.
24
"Those who follow this teaching of Mine with faith and without envy become free from the bondage of karma."
— Bhagavad Gita 3.31
Faith in karma yoga principles and practicing them without jealousy leads to liberation from karmic bonds.
25
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्।
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्॥
"Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, whatever austerities you perform - do all that as an offering to Me."
— Bhagavad Gita 9.27
The ultimate secret of karma yoga: make your entire life an offering. Every action becomes sacred when offered with devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Karma in the Bhagavad Gita
What is the main message about karma in the Bhagavad Gita?
The main message is to perform your duty without attachment to results. Focus on the action itself, not on what you will gain from it. This is karma yoga — acting from duty rather than desire, which eliminates anxiety and ensures consistent, ethical performance.
How is karma different from fate?
Karma is not fate or predestination. It is the law of cause and effect — your actions create consequences. The Gita teaches how to act in ways that do not create binding karma, giving you freedom to shape your destiny through right action rather than reactive desire.
Can karma from past lives be changed?
Yes. The Gita teaches that through karma yoga (selfless action), bhakti (devotion), and jnana (knowledge), one can transcend past karma. BG 4.36 says that even the most sinful person can cross the ocean of misery in the boat of transcendental knowledge. Present actions performed with the right attitude can neutralise past karmic debts.
What is the difference between good and bad karma?
Good karma brings pleasant results; bad karma brings suffering. However, the Gita teaches that both types bind the soul. The goal is nishkama karma (desireless action), which creates no binding karma at all. BG 4.20 explains that one acting without ego or attachment transcends action even while performing it.
How can I practice karma yoga in daily life?
Perform your work with full effort and care, but do not obsess over outcomes. Treat success and failure with equanimity. Dedicate your actions to a higher purpose or to the well-being of others. The Gita's practical instruction is simple: give your best, then let go of the result — as BG 2.47 teaches.
What role does free will play in karma according to the Gita?
The Gita acknowledges that action is shaped by the three gunas (modes of nature — sattva, rajas, tamas) and by prakriti (nature). BG 3.27 says we are all propelled by nature's modes, but BG 6.5 teaches that we can choose whether to make the mind our friend or enemy. Free will lies in choosing our attitude toward action — not in escaping action itself.
What is the difference between karma, vikarma, and akarma?
The Gita describes three kinds of action. Karma is ordinary action that creates karmic binding. Vikarma is forbidden or sinful action that creates negative consequences. Akarma is action performed without ego or attachment, which leaves no karmic residue. Karma yoga is the path to converting all karma into akarma through the right inner attitude.
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