Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.47
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥४७॥
karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana | mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo'stvakarmaṇi ||47||
Complete Shloka Translation
Your scope is action alone, never its fruits. Do not make the fruits of action your motive, and do not become attached to inaction.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कर्मणि | karmaṇi | in prescribed action / duty |
| एव | eva | alone / only |
| अधिकारः | adhikāraḥ | right / entitlement |
| ते | te | your |
| मा | mā | never / not |
| फलेषु | phaleṣu | in the fruits / outcomes |
| कदाचन | kadācana | at any time |
| मा | mā | do not |
| कर्म-फल-हेतुः | karma-phala-hetuḥ | motivated by fruits of work |
| भूः | bhūḥ | become / be |
| मा | mā | nor |
| ते | te | your |
| सङ्गः | saṅgaḥ | attachment |
| अस्तु | astu | let there be |
| अकर्मणि | akarmaṇi | in inaction / sloth |
in prescribed action / duty
alone / only
right / entitlement
your
never / not
in the fruits / outcomes
at any time
do not
motivated by fruits of work
become / be
nor
your
attachment
let there be
in inaction / sloth
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The final clause prevents detachment from becoming an excuse for inactivity. Releasing fixation on reward still allows careful planning, effort, and responsibility for consequences.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Commit to the work while loosening dependence on its reward."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What is yours to do carefully even when you cannot guarantee the result?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.