युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम्। अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते।।5.12।।
yuktaḥ karma‑phalaṁ tyaktvā śāntim āpnōti naiṣṭhikīm। ayuktaḥ kāma‑kāreṇa phale saktaḥ nibadhyate।
Translation
One who, having relinquished the fruits of action, attains unhindered peace. The one who works for personal gain, attached to the result, becomes bound.
Word Meanings
yuktaḥ — one who is engaged in devotional service; karma‑phalaṁ — the results of all activities; tyaktvā — having given up; śāntim — perfect peace; āpnōti — attains; naiṣṭhikīm — unwavering; ayuktaḥ — one who is not in Kṛṣṇa consciousness; kāma‑kāreṇa — motivated by desire; phale — in the result; saktaḥ — attached; nibadhyate — becomes entangled.
Understanding the Verse
In this concise verse, Krishna draws a stark contrast between two attitudes toward action. The first line celebrates the yogi who performs his duties without clinging to outcomes. By offering the results of all activities to the Divine, he transcends the ordinary anxiety that accompanies effort. This detachment does not imply laziness; instead, it signifies a purified motivation where the act itself becomes an offering, and the outcome is surrendered to the Supreme. Such a disposition yields "śānti" – a deep, abiding tranquility that is "naiṣṭhikī", i.e., unshakable and free from the fluctuations of material existence.
The second half of the verse depicts the opposite tendency: a person driven by the "kāma‑kāra", the desire for personal gratification. When one is "saktaḥ" (attached) to the "phala" (fruit), actions become shackles rather than instruments of spiritual ascent. The bondage here is not merely external but internal, as the mind constantly oscillates between hope and disappointment, stirring restlessness. This entanglement prevents the seeker from realizing the true purpose of action, which, according to the Gita, is to serve the Divine and purify the heart.
The teaching aligns with the broader Bhagavad‑Gītā theme that "karma‑yoga" – selfless action – is a potent means for liberation. By performing one's dharma without egoistic motive, the practitioner gradually dissolves the ego‑identification with the body‑mind complex. The resultant peace is not a temporary calm but a permanent state of inner equilibrium, independent of external circumstances. In contrast, desire‑driven activity perpetuates the cycle of birth and death (samsāra), because attachment creates new karmic imprints that bind the soul to further incarnations.
Krishna's distinction also serves a practical purpose for the modern reader. In daily life, many of us are caught in the "kāma‑kāra" trap – striving for promotions, wealth, or recognition. This verse invites us to re‑orient our intentions: to view our work as a sacred offering, irrespective of pay or praise. By doing so, the stress of performance diminishes, and a serene confidence emerges. The "unshakable" peace described is akin to the modern concept of psychological resilience, yet it is rooted in spiritual surrender rather than mere coping mechanisms.
Furthermore, the verse underscores a subtle but essential point: the path of detachment does not require abandoning action. The "yuktaḥ" (the qualified) continues to act, but his heart remains aligned with the Divine. This harmonious integration of action and renunciation is the essence of "karma‑sanyoga" – action in union with the Supreme. Consequently, the practitioner experiences both external effectiveness and internal liberation, epitomizing the Gita's ideal of a balanced, spiritually oriented life.
