मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty."
This verse encapsulates one of the most profound teachings of the Bhagavad Gita: the principle of nishkama karma, or desireless action. Krishna instructs Arjuna to focus on performing his duty with dedication while remaining detached from outcomes.
This teaching addresses a fundamental human problem: anxiety about results, which often paralyzes action or corrupts motivation. By releasing attachment to fruits while maintaining commitment to action, one achieves both practical effectiveness and spiritual liberation.
The verse has influenced countless seekers, from ancient Indian philosophers to modern leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, who based his principle of detached engagement on this teaching.
Source
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47