Shloka 47
कर्मयोग–ज्ञानयज्ञ–अवतारोपदेश
Karma-Yoga, Jñāna-Yajña, and Avatāra Instruction
सम्बन्ध-- इस प्रकार समबुद्धिरूप कर्मगोगका और उसके फलका महत्त्व बतलाकर अब दो श्लोकोर्ें भगवान् कर्मयोगका स्वरूप बतलाते हुए अर्जुनको कर्मयोगर्ें स्थित होकर कर्म करनेके लिये कहते हैं-- कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सड्रो5स्त्वकर्मणि
sañjaya uvāca — karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana | mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stv akarmaṇi ||
Sañjaya said: Your entitlement is only to action—never at any time to its results. Do not make the fruits of action your motive, and do not let your attachment turn toward inaction.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should focus on rightful action (duty) rather than on controlling or craving outcomes. Results are not fully within one’s power; therefore, making them the motive breeds anxiety, manipulation, and moral compromise. At the same time, detachment is not an excuse for withdrawal—one must not become attached to inaction.
Sanjaya reports the instruction given to Arjuna in the midst of the Kurukṣetra crisis. The counsel addresses Arjuna’s hesitation by defining the stance of Karma Yoga: act in accordance with dharma, without fixation on victory, gain, or loss, and without fleeing responsibility.