Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2, verse 47 · Krishna
Bhagavad Gita 2.47 · Karmanye Vadhikaraste
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥
karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana |
mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo’stvakarmaṇi ||
Translation
You have a right to your actions alone, never to their fruits. Do not let the results be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.
Explanation
The most quoted verse of the Gita and the heart of karma yoga. It does not say results do not matter; it says that our responsibility and our peace lie in acting well, while outcomes depend on many factors beyond our control. The last line warns against the opposite error — giving up action altogether.
Context
Spoken by Krishna in chapter 2, Sankhya Yoga — “The Yoga of Knowledge”, which has 72 verses.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 2.47 mean?
You have a right to your actions alone, never to their fruits. Do not let the results be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.47?
Krishna, speaking to Arjuna, in chapter 2, Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Sanskrit text: traditional, public domain. Translation and explanation are our own.