नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते।।18.23।।
niyatam sangarahitam aragadvesat ha kritam aphala-prepsuna karma yat tat sattvikam ucyate
Translation
Action that is in accordance with the scriptures, free from attachment and aversion, and done without desire for rewards, is in the mode of goodness.
Word Meanings
niyatam — regulated; saṅga-rahitam — without attachment; arāga-dveṣataḥ — without love or hatred; kṛtam — done; aphala-prepsunā — by one without desire for fruitive result; karma — action; yat — which; tat — that; sāttvikam — in the mode of goodness; ucyate — is called.
Understanding the Verse
In this concluding verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna classifies actions according to their intrinsic qualities (guṇas). The term “niyatam” denotes actions prescribed by the Vedic scriptures, implying that they are aligned with dharma and the cosmic order. Such actions are not merely legalistic but are rooted in a deeper spiritual discipline that upholds righteousness.
The phrase “saṅga‑rahitam arāga‑dveṣataḥ” describes a state of detachment. “Saṅga‑rahitam” means free from the bonds of desire and expectation, while “arāga‑dveṣataḥ” indicates the absence of both love (attachment) and hatred (aversion). When a person performs duty without clinging to the outcome, the mind remains steady, and the action becomes a vehicle for purification rather than a source of bondage.
Finally, “aphala‑prepsunā” emphasizes the selfless motive: the performer seeks no fruit, reward, or personal gain. Such self‑less conduct purifies the intellect, elevating it to the sattvic (goodness) mode. In the sattvic state, actions are characterized by clarity, harmony, and alignment with the divine will, leading to inner peace and spiritual advancement. Thus, this verse succinctly defines the highest quality of work—one that is scripturally sanctioned, detached, and free from the desire for results—guiding the seeker toward liberation.
