Understanding Karma Yoga
कर्मयोग को समझें
Follow the Gita’s teaching on acting without being bound by results, across six verses.
- Open 12-Layer Verse ExperienceReading 1 of 6
Bhagavad Gita 2.47
मूल श्लोक (Original Sanskrit) कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि
Literal TranslationYou have the right to work alone, but not to the fruits of it. Do not be driven by the results of your work, nor have attachment to inaction.
Context (प्रसंग)
Your responsibility is the action itself; warn against being ruled by outcome.
Simple Explanation (सरल अर्थ)
Focus on the task in front of you, not on anxiety over praise.
Pause and Think (आत्म-चिंतन)
“Which of your efforts today could you do well whatever the result?”
- Open 12-Layer Verse ExperienceReading 2 of 6
Bhagavad Gita 2.48
मूल श्लोक (Original Sanskrit) योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते
Literal TranslationAbandoning attachment and established in Yoga, perform works, viewing success and failure with an even mind. Evenness of mind is said to be Yoga.
Context (प्रसंग)
Equanimity toward success and failure is called yoga.
Simple Explanation (सरल अर्थ)
Acting from poise lets success and failure be received with equal calm.
Pause and Think (आत्म-चिंतन)
“When did you last act well and stay level about how it went?”
- Open 12-Layer Verse ExperienceReading 3 of 6
Bhagavad Gita 3.9
मूल श्लोक (Original Sanskrit) यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः।तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसंगः समाचर
Literal TranslationThis world is held in the bondage of work only when work is not performed as a sacrifice. O Arjuna, you must perform work for this purpose, free from attachment.
Context (प्रसंग)
Action done as an offering.
Simple Explanation (सरल अर्थ)
Action done for the larger whole does not bind.
Pause and Think (आत्म-चिंतन)
“Who beyond you benefits from your work?”
- Open 12-Layer Verse ExperienceReading 4 of 6
Bhagavad Gita 3.19
मूल श्लोक (Original Sanskrit) तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः
Literal TranslationTherefore, do your work without attachment, which ought to be done. For, a person who works without attachment attains the Supreme.
Context (प्रसंग)
Action without attachment.
Simple Explanation (सरल अर्थ)
Do what has to be done without attachment to reach the highest.
Pause and Think (आत्म-चिंतन)
“What would change if you did one task today without needing credit?”
- Open 12-Layer Verse ExperienceReading 5 of 6
Bhagavad Gita 4.18
मूल श्लोक (Original Sanskrit) कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः।स बुद्धिमान् मनुष्येषु स युक्तः कृत्स्नकर्मकृत्
Literal TranslationHe who sees inaction in action and also action in inaction is wise among men. He is fit for release and has accomplished all actions.
Context (प्रसंग)
Inaction within action.
Simple Explanation (सरल अर्थ)
The wise see stillness within activity.
Pause and Think (आत्म-चिंतन)
“Where might stillness exist inside your busiest moments?”
- Open 12-Layer Verse ExperienceReading 6 of 6
Bhagavad Gita 5.10
मूल श्लोक (Original Sanskrit) ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः।लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा
Literal TranslationHe who acts without attachment, reposing all actions on Brahman (Prakṛti), is untouched by evil, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Context (प्रसंग)
Like a lotus leaf in water.
Simple Explanation (सरल अर्थ)
Offering action without attachment leaves you untouched by negativity.
Pause and Think (आत्म-चिंतन)
“What would it mean to stay unmarked by what you do?”
Related Reading & Exploration
Sources & Transparency:
- Sanskrit text: as given in the Dharma Granth library edition (see each verse page, “Sources and edition”).
- Context, explanation, reflection and activity: editorial notes, not scripture.