Karma Verses from the Gita
Krishna's complete teachings on action, causation, and the law of cause and effect
Understanding Karma Through the Gita
Karma, one of the central themes of the Bhagavad Gita, encompasses both the law of action and reaction and the path of selfless service. Krishna provides comprehensive guidance on how to act in the world without creating bondage, transforming ordinary activities into spiritual practice.
These verses reveal the secret of acting without attachment, understanding the nature of action and inaction, and using work as a means of spiritual purification and growth. For a comprehensive collection of Krishna's wisdom on action and duty, explore our complete guide to Karma quotes from the Bhagavad Gita.
Essential Karma Verses
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but not 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."
— Bhagavad Gita 2.47
This foundational verse establishes the principle of karma yoga: acting with full dedication while remaining detached from specific outcomes. It's the key to transforming work into spiritual practice.
"Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga."
— Bhagavad Gita 2.48
Equanimity in action is the hallmark of spiritual maturity. This verse teaches the mental attitude that transforms ordinary work into yoga - union with the Divine.
"Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme."
— Bhagavad Gita 3.19
Detached action is not only a spiritual practice but the very path to liberation. When we act from duty rather than desire, we naturally progress toward spiritual realization.
"Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, whatever austerities you perform—do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to the Supreme."
— Bhagavad Gita 9.27
This verse reveals how to transform every action into worship. By offering all activities to the Divine, we purify our intentions and create positive karma.