tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛipto nirāśhrayaḥ
karmaṇyabhipravṛitto ’pi naiva kiñchit karoti saḥ
tyaktvā — having given up;
karma-phala-āsaṅgam — attachment to the fruits of action;
nitya — always;
tṛiptaḥ — satisfied;
nirāśhrayaḥ — without dependence;
karmaṇi — in activities;
abhipravṛittaḥ — engaged;
api — despite;
na — not;
eva — certainly;
kiñchit — anything;
karoti — do;
saḥ — that person
This verse talks about a person who has let go of any attachment to the outcomes of what they do. Imagine someone who works hard but doesn’t worry about how much they achieve or gain from their efforts. Instead, they are satisfied with their work and don’t depend on external results to feel fulfilled. This person goes about their daily tasks and responsibilities without the anxiety that often comes with desiring specific results.
The idea here is that true freedom and peace come from acting with a sense of devotion, in this case to Krsna, who represents a higher power or purpose. When you do things with love and dedication for Krsna, you stop worrying about whether you will be rewarded or if things will go your way. Instead, you focus on doing your best. It’s like playing a sport; if you play just for the love of the game and not just to win, you enjoy it more and take pride in your effort without worrying about the final score.
This person’s state is described as being 'ever satisfied.' This means they find happiness and contentment within themselves, knowing they are doing what they need to do without needing outside approval or success. They are 'independent,' meaning their happiness doesn’t rely on having specific outcomes.
When someone reaches this level of detachment, it feels like they aren’t even doing work in the traditional sense. They act without the burden of expectations or worries about whether their actions will lead to success or failure. This is called 'akarma' – actions that don't come with the typical rewards or consequences we associate with tasks.
In contrast, if you act just for personal gain without a deeper motivation, you get caught up in cycles of desire and disappointment, which is what is referred to as 'vikarma' – actions that lead to binding consequences. Essentially, by focusing on loving actions and letting go of attachment to results, you can achieve true liberation, avoiding stress and anxiety associated with wanting specific outcomes.