Chapter 18 Verse 6
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च।कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्िचतं मतमुत्तमम्।।18.6।।
etāny api tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni cha kartavyānīti me pārtha niśhchitaṁ matam uttamam
Word Meanings
| etāni | these |
| api tu | must certainly be |
| karmāṇi | activities |
| saṅgam | attachment |
| tyaktvā | giving up |
| phalāni | rewards |
| cha | and |
| kartavyāni | should be done as duty |
| iti | such |
| me | my |
| pārtha | Arjun, the son of Pritha |
| niśhchitam | definite |
| matam | opinion |
| uttamam | supreme |
Translation
But even these actions should be performed, leaving aside attachment and the desire for rewards, O Arjuna; this is my certain and most assured conviction.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says: do your duties, but give up attachment to the action and the desire for its reward. Krishna tells Arjuna that acting without clinging to results is the highest way.
Acting without wanting a particular outcome frees the mind from fear and greed. You still work fully, but you do not let success or failure control your peace.
The teaching is not about avoiding work. It is about changing why and how you work — from seeking fruits to offering effort with steady calm.
Life Application
- Before starting a task, set a clear, simple intention: focus on doing your best, not on who will praise you or what you will gain.
- Break work into small steps and measure effort, not results. After each step, pause, breathe, and let go of expectations.
- Offer your actions to a larger purpose (helping others, learning, duty) so outcomes matter less to your happiness.
Reflection Question
Which task today can you do fully, but without clinging to its outcome?