कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ ४७॥
Word-by-Word Meanings (Padartha)
सरल हिंदी भावार्थ:
तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में ही है, उसके फलों में कभी नहीं। इसलिए तुम स्वयं को कर्मों के फल का कारण मत मानो और न ही तुम्हारी कर्म न करने (अकर्म) में आसक्ति हो।
English Translation:
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but never an entitlement to its fruits. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your actions, nor let your attachment be to inaction.
Context & Living Philosophy
Narrative Context
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, observing Arjuna overwhelmed by despair, dejection, and anxiety over the outcomes of war, Lord Krishna expounds the bedrock teaching of Karma Yoga: human jurisdiction extends solely to righteous action, never to claiming sovereign entitlement over the fruits.
Philosophical Essence & Commentary
This verse establishes four vital precepts: (1) Entitlement to perform action (karmaṇi eva adhikāraḥ), (2) Absolute relinquishment of entitlement over fruits (mā phaleṣu kadācana), (3) Never identifying oneself as the sole causal agency of fruits (mā karma-phala-hetur bhūḥ), and (4) Strict rejection of inertia or escapism into inaction (mā te saṅgo 'stv akarmaṇi).