A core teaching · grounding in mood · easy to enter
“Right action is complete only when desire for reward is dropped.”
Even these actions, and all other actions, should be done without attachment and without wanting their results. This is my settled and best teaching, O Arjuna.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallythese · also · indeed · actions · attachment · having given up · results · and · ought to be done · my · O Partha · settled · opinion/teaching · best
Even sacred actions and all other duties should be done without clinging to results. Krishna says this is the best and settled teaching.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Verse 6 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
A son sits beside his mother through her chemotherapy without knowing if it will work. Krishna would have him give the care fully and stop tying its worth to the next scan report.
Did you like this verse?
Krishna calls this his settled, final view: do even sacred duties without attachment or desire for results.
What this verse means
Even sacred actions and all other duties should be done without clinging to results. Krishna says this is the best and settled teaching.
Context & commentary
Krishna continues his teaching on renunciation, making one thing clear: even offerings, charity, and discipline should be done without attachment to results. This verse sharpens the path of action.
What it looks like today
A son sits beside his mother through her chemotherapy without knowing if it will work. Krishna would have him give the care fully and stop tying its worth to the next scan report.
“You can give your full effort without carrying the burden of control.”
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), tyaga (14 verses), nishkama karma (12 verses)