kāryam ity eva yat karma niyataṁ kriyate ‘rjuna
saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalaṁ chaiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttviko mataḥ
kāryam — as a duty;
iti — as;
eva — indeed;
yat — which;
karma niyatam — obligatory actions;
kriyate — are performed;
arjuna — Arjun;
saṅgam — attachment;
tyaktvā — relinquishing;
phalam — reward;
cha — and;
eva — certainly;
saḥ — such;
tyāgaḥ — renunciation of desires for enjoying the fruits of actions;
sāttvikaḥ — in the mode of goodness;
mataḥ — considered
This verse teaches us about how to approach our responsibilities in life. It emphasizes that we should act according to our duties without being overly attached to the results or outcomes of our actions.
Imagine you have a job, like working in a factory. While doing your job, you should remember that your primary goal is to do your duty honestly and to the best of your ability, not just to get a paycheck at the end of the month. This means focusing on the work itself and giving it your full attention, rather than stressing about how much money you’ll earn or what your boss thinks about you.
The idea of 'renouncing attachment to the fruits' means that you should not let your happiness depend solely on the rewards of your work. For instance, if you work hard on a project and hope for praise or a promotion, you might feel upset if things don’t go as you planned. Instead, if you see your work as an offering to a higher purpose (like dedicating it to Krsna, as mentioned in the text), then your mental state becomes much healthier.
The verse also highlights 'the nature of goodness.' Acting in goodness means you perform your tasks out of a sense of duty and not for selfish reasons. You should strive to do your best and let go of any worries about what you will receive in return for your efforts. This mindset helps keep you calm, focused, and fulfilled.
In practical terms, think about doing something kind for someone else or helping a friend without expecting anything in return. You feel good because you did something good, not because you were looking for a reward. This is the essence of what's being conveyed in this verse.
So remember, when you focus on your responsibilities and let go of the need to control the outcomes, you are engaging in work that is selfless and rooted in goodness. This can lead to a sense of peace and satisfaction in your life.