Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.47 कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन
श्लोक 2.47
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥
karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana |
mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo'stvakarmaṇi ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने पर है, उसके फल पर कभी नहीं। कर्मफल को अपना उद्देश्य मत बनाओ, और कर्म न करने में भी तुम्हारी आसक्ति न हो।
Meaning in English
Your right is to action alone, never to its fruits. Do not let the fruits of action be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction either.
Bhagavad Gita 2.47 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कर्मणि | karmaṇi | in action |
| एव | eva | alone |
| अधिकारः | adhikāraḥ | right, entitlement |
| ते | te | your |
| मा फलेषु | mā phaleṣu | never in the fruits |
| कदाचन | kadācana | at any time |
| मा | mā | do not |
| कर्मफलहेतुः | karma-phala-hetuḥ | one whose motive is the fruit of action |
| भूः | bhūḥ | be |
| मा ते | mā te | nor your |
| सङ्गः | saṅgaḥ | attachment |
| अस्तु | astu | let there be |
| अकर्मणि | akarmaṇi | to inaction |
Explanation
You have a right to your actions alone, never to their fruits. Do not let the results be your motive for acting, and do not be attached to doing nothing either.
This is the most famous verse of the Gita and the heart of karma yoga. It does not say results don't matter, or that we should not plan; it says our control and our duty lie in the action, while the outcome depends on many things beyond us. Working without anxious craving for results makes action purer, more skilful and more peaceful — and the last line closes the door on using this teaching as an excuse for laziness.
भावार्थ
तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, उसके फलों में कभी नहीं। कर्मफल को अपना उद्देश्य मत बनाओ, और कर्म न करने में भी तुम्हारी आसक्ति न हो।
Living it today
Prepare fully for the exam, the interview or the project — then let go of worrying about the result. Your part is the effort.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.47?
You have a right to your actions alone, never to their fruits. Do not let the results be your motive for acting, and do not be attached to doing nothing either.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.47?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.47 in daily life?
Prepare fully for the exam, the interview or the project — then let go of worrying about the result. Your part is the effort.
Reflected on verse 2.47?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.