2.47 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2, Verse 47

In this pivotal verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna gives Arjuna a foundational guideline for right living and inner stability. He clarifies the scope of human responsibility, telling Arjuna: “Your entitlement is only to action, never to the fruits.” This means that while we are empowered to choose and pursue our actions, the outcomes—whether success or failure—ultimately lie beyond our absolute control. Krishna cautions against being driven by the desire for results or rewards, and further instructs Arjuna not to indulge in inaction out of fear or reluctance about outcomes. The focus, Krishna asserts, should rest on the duty itself, not on personal gain or loss that might follow from performing that duty.

Here, Krishna addresses a deep psychological dilemma that arises whenever we act with a personal stake in results. If Arjuna fights thinking solely of victory, honor, or any particular outcome, he will inevitably be trapped in a cycle of elation and dejection, depending on how things turn out. This external dependency would tie his emotional state to fluctuating results, never allowing his mind to attain true peace. Krishna, therefore, encourages an internal shift—a reorientation of motivation from reward-seeking to duty-fulfillment, where the act itself is viewed as a sacred offering, free of ulterior motive.

This detachment, however, is often misunderstood. It does not mean that one should become indifferent or careless about the task at hand. Nor does it suggest adopting a passive or fatalistic mindset. Krishna’s teaching is not a call to mere resignation or inaction. Instead, it is a call to passionate, skillful engagement—doing one’s best, without obsession over whether the work will yield personal profit or recognition. This ensures that while we have full control over our effort and attitude, we neither shirk from work nor become overly anxious about its fruits.

Krishna further elaborates that considering oneself the absolute “doer” or sole cause of actions is itself a misconception. According to the Gita, actions in the material world are shaped by a combination of factors—our body, mind, abilities, circumstances, and the workings of nature. When we arrogate to ourselves sole authorship over outcomes, we ignore this complex web of influences. By recognizing our limited role, we avoid falling into egotism when successful, or despair when not.

Arjuna’s hesitation is natural; he wonders what motivation remains if he cannot claim joy or pride from results, or what harm there might be in simply abstaining from action. Krishna cautions against both withdrawal and apathy, warning that neglecting one’s duties leads to negative consequences for oneself and others. In the Gita’s worldview, action aligned with one’s nature (dharma) not only sustains the fabric of society, but also gradually purifies the doer. Attempting to avoid action altogether, out of fear of karma or past disappointment, amounts to evasion of responsibility and is spiritually detrimental.

This philosophy is neither mechanical nor emotionless. On the contrary, it frees the individual from emotional bondage to every outcome, allowing for a steadiness of mind that fosters clarity, resilience, and a deeper sense of joy in simply serving one’s role in the world. By concentrating on honest effort and letting go of anxieties about results, one learns to accept every result—pleasant or otherwise—with grace and equanimity. Thus, detachment from results is not an escape, but a means to participate fully in life, unaffected by its inevitable ups and downs.

Through this teaching, Krishna establishes a dynamic balance: neither passivity nor feverish ambition, but a dedicated engagement with the world, performed without attachment to gain or fear of loss. The message is timeless, urging us to act with sincerity and intensity, but to anchor our inner peace and identity in the act itself, not in its unpredictable rewards or setbacks.

This approach transforms the way we contribute to our families, work, and society. It becomes possible to act out of a sense of purpose rather than compulsion or greed. With this attitude, each task, no matter how great or small, attains a new dignity, because it is done for its own sake, and not as a bargaining chip for some distant, uncertain reward. This spirit of action, unburdened by the anxiety of results, forms the heart of karma yoga as explained in this profound and enduring verse.