Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Shloka 23
Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम् । अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते ॥ १८.२३ ॥
niyataṁ saṅgarahitam arāgadveṣataḥ kṛtam | aphalaprepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam ucyate || 18.23 ||
That action which is ordained, done without attachment, free from rāga and dveṣa, and performed by one who seeks no fruit—such action is called sāttvika.
जो कर्म नियत (कर्तव्य) है, जो आसक्ति-रहित है, जो राग-द्वेष से रहित होकर किया जाता है और जो फल की इच्छा न रखने वाले द्वारा किया जाता है—वह सात्त्विक कहा जाता है।
That action which is prescribed, performed without attachment, free from attraction and aversion, and done by one who does not seek the fruit—this is called sattvic.
Traditional versions often emphasize ‘niyata’ as duty according to one’s station (svadharma). Academic translations keep ‘prescribed/regulated’ and highlight the motivational profile (non-attachment, non-reactivity, non-fruit-seeking) as the defining features.
FAQs
It describes an action-style marked by low ego-involvement and emotional reactivity: one acts because it is appropriate, not because of craving or dislike, reducing stress linked to outcome-dependence.
Sattvic action aligns with a worldview in which the agent participates in order without clinging to personal reward, supporting the Gītā’s broader distinction between action and attachment.
After classifying knowledge, the text turns to classify action; this verse provides the sattvic benchmark for karma.
It can guide professional ethics: perform responsibilities with care and integrity while avoiding fixation on praise, promotion, or resentment—focusing on process and standards.
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