Hub

Action Without Claiming the Fruit

Can we work hard and still not be eaten up by the result? Gita 2.47 to 2.51: the work is ours, the result is not, and work done this way is better work.

In brief

  • The right is to the work alone and never to the fruits, which depend on much more than us (2.47).
  • Evenness in success and failure is called yoga (2.48).
  • Work moved by wisdom is far better than work moved by the result, and yoga is skill in action (2.49, 2.50).
  • The wise who give up the fruits reach the state beyond suffering (2.51).

Can we work hard and still not be eaten up by the result? The Lord answers Arjuna in five verses. The right is to the action alone and never to its fruits, and we must not make the fruit our motive or cling to doing nothing (Gita 2.47). We are to act while giving up clinging and stay even in success and failure, and that evenness is called yoga (Gita 2.48). Work moved by wisdom is far better than work moved by the result (Gita 2.49), and yoga is skill in action (Gita 2.50). The wise who give up the fruits reach the state beyond suffering (Gita 2.51).

This is the second stop on The Path of Karma Yoga. It follows Buddhi Yoga and leads to Can We Simply Stop Acting?.

The topic has three readings: a simple reading for someone anxious about a result, a detailed reading that takes the five verses in order, and a deeper reading for the finer points, the traditions and the objections.

Read at your level

Same topic, three depths. Pick the one that fits you today; you can switch any time.

Start with Simple →

Simple New to this topic. Plain words, one idea at a time. How Do I Stop Worrying About the Result Without Giving Up on It? The work is ours and the result is not, because the result depends on much more than us (2.47, 18.14). 6 min · Read → In Depth Know the basics. Verse by verse, with reasons. Do the Work, Let Go of the Result? Gita 2.47 to 2.51 Explained The right is to the work and never to the fruits, and the fruit also depends on much more than the doer (2.47, 18.14). 10 min · Read → Deeper Want the text itself: Sanskrit terms, commentary, close reading. What Moves Action If Not the Fruit? A Close Reading of Gita 2.47 to 2.51 The five verses move in one line, from what is mine (2.47) to how to hold it (2.48), why it is better (2.49), what it is called (2.50) and where it leads (2.51). 14 min · Read → Quick summary Short on time. The whole topic in a few minutes. Action Without Claiming the Fruit: Quick Summary The Lord says the right is to action alone, never to its fruit (2.47). 7 min · Read →

Key shlokas

Concepts

Common misreadings

  • Nishkama karma means not caring how the work turns out

Part of these learning paths

Related topics