Bhagavad gita Chapter 2, Verse 47

karmany evadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana

ma karma-phala-hte sango 'stv akarmanietur bhur ma 

Meaning of words

1. karmani--prescribed duties

2. eva--certainly; adhikarah—right

3. te--of you

4. ma—never

5. phalesu--in the fruits

6. kadacana--at any time

7. ma—never

8. karma-phala--in the result of the work

9. hetuh—cause

10. bhuh—become

11. ma—never

12. te--of you

13. sangah—attachment

14. astu--be there

15. akarmani--in not doing

Meaning of the verse

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.

Explanation

There are three types of duties, prescribed duties, capricious work, and inaction. Prescribed duties are referred to activities which are performed while one is in the modes of material nature. Capricious work means actions without the sanction of authority, and inaction means not performing one's prescribed duties. The Lord Krishna advises Arjuna not be inactive, but that he perform his prescribed duty without being attached to the result. One who is attached to the result of his work is also the cause of the action. Thus he is the enjoyer or sufferer of the result of such actions.

Arjuna was therefore advised by the Lord to fight as a matter of duty without attachment to the result. Any attachment, positive or negative, is cause for bondage. Inaction is sinful. Therefore, fighting as a matter of duty was the only auspicious path of salvation for Arjuna.

By Premji