Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 10
Karma, Jñāna, and Bhakti: Vedic Dharma, Piety and Sin, and the Boat of Human Life
स्वधर्मस्थो यजन् यज्ञैरनाशी:काम उद्धव । न याति स्वर्गनरकौ यद्यन्यन्न समाचरेत् ॥ १० ॥
sva-dharma-stho yajan yajñair anāśīḥ-kāma uddhava na yāti svarga-narakau yady anyan na samācaret
My dear Uddhava, one who remains fixed in his prescribed duty and worships through Vedic sacrifices without craving their fruits does not go to heaven; and by refraining from forbidden acts, he does not go to hell.
The perfection of karma-yoga is described here. One who does not desire fruitive rewards for his religious activities does not waste time going to the heavenly planets for celestial sense gratification. Similarly, one who does not neglect his prescribed duty or perform forbidden activities will not be bothered by going to hell for punishment. Thus avoiding material rewards and punishments, such a desireless person can be promoted to the platform of pure devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse says that when one stays in one’s svadharma and performs worshipful acts (yajña) without selfish desire, one is not bound for heavenly reward or hellish reaction—so long as one does not deviate into unauthorized actions.
Krishna is guiding Uddhava on how karma becomes purifying rather than binding: by remaining in prescribed duty and acting as worship (yajña) without personal craving, one transcends karmic destinations like svarga and naraka.
Do your rightful responsibilities with integrity and as an offering to God, reduce craving for outcomes (status, money, praise), and avoid unethical shortcuts—then work becomes purifying instead of binding.