एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च।कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्िचतं मतमुत्तमम्।।18.6।।
etāni api tu karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalāni ca kartavyāni iti me pārtha niścitaṁ matam uttamam
Translation
These activities must be performed without attachment and expectation for rewards. This is My definite and supreme verdict, O Arjun.
Word Meanings
etāni — all these; api — certainly; tu — but; karmāṇi — activities; saṅgaṁ — attachment; tyaktvā — renouncing; phalāni — results; ca — also; kartavyāni — should be performed as duty; iti — thus; me — My; pārtha — O son of Pṛthā; niścitam — definite; matam — opinion; uttamam — the best.
Understanding the Verse
Verse 18.6 belongs to the final chapter of the Bhagavad‑Gita, where Lord Krishna summarizes the entire teaching and gives the ultimate directive to Arjuna. After explaining the threefold categorization of actions—sattvic, rajasic and tamasic—and their respective outcomes, Krishna now focuses on the essential principle that governs right conduct: the performance of one's prescribed duties (kartavyas) without any personal desire for the fruits (phalas).
The Sanskrit term kartavyāni signifies actions that are obligatory, those that a person is bound to perform according to his nature and social role. Krishna emphasizes that these duties are not optional; they are the very fabric of dharma. By prefixing the instruction with etāni api tu (‘but these as well’), the Lord reminds Arjuna that even the duties discussed in the preceding verses—whether motivated by desire, anger, or compassion—must ultimately be relinquished of saṅga, the mental attachment that binds the soul to the cycle of birth and death.
The phrase tyaktvā phalāni ca stresses the renunciation of expectation of results. It does not demand a literal abandonment of action; rather, it calls for a shift of attitude—acting for the sake of duty alone, not for personal gain, fame, or even spiritual merit. This inner detachment is the cornerstone of yoga, the path of disciplined action (karma‑yoga). Krishna’s declaration iti me pārtha niścitaṁ matam uttamam (‘this, O son of Pritha, is my definite and supreme opinion’) serves as an authoritative verdict, ending any ambiguity about how a seeker should relate to his work.
In the broader philosophical context, this instruction resolves the apparent paradox between renunciation (sannyāsa) and action (kriyā). While the Gita acknowledges the value of withdrawing from worldly entanglements, it ultimately teaches that true renunciation is internal, not external. By performing one’s duties with a dispassionate heart, a person remains engaged in the world while simultaneously remaining unattached, thereby attaining spiritual equilibrium. This view aligns with the concept of nishkṛti—action without desire for the outcome—which is repeatedly portrayed as the highest form of yoga.
Practically, the verse provides a timeless ethic for modern life. Whether one is a student, a professional, a caregiver, or a leader, the guidance is common: identify the responsibilities inherent to your role, execute them with competence, and let go of selfish expectations. Such an approach notifies personal growth, social harmony, and ultimately, spiritual liberation because the soul is no longer tethered to the fluctuations of success and failure. Krishna’s final verdict therefore functions both as a philosophical cornerstone and as a practical roadmap for living a life of purpose and inner peace.
