In Bhagavad Gita 18.6, Krishna says even these actions should be done giving up attachment and fruits; this is his definite and best view.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि
सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च
कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ
निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ॥ १८-६ ॥
etānyapi tu karmāṇi
saṅgaṃ tyaktvā phalāni ca
kartavyānīti me pārtha
niścitaṃ matamuttamam
English transliteration etaanyapi tu karmaani
sangam tyaktvaa phalaani cha
kartavyaaneeti me paartha
nishchitam matamuttamam ॥ 18.6 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But even these actions should be performed giving up attachment and the desire for their fruits. This, O Partha, is My definite and highest conviction.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| एतानि etāni | these |
| अपि api | even |
| तु tu | but |
| कर्माणि karmāṇi | actions |
| सङ्गम् saṅgam | attachment |
| त्यक्त्वा tyaktvā | giving up |
| फलानि phalāni | fruits |
| च ca | and |
| कर्तव्यानि kartavyāni | should be performed |
| इति iti | thus |
| मे me | My |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| निश्चितम् niścitam | definite |
| मतम् matam | conviction |
| उत्तमम् uttamam | highest |
Word-wise Chanting
- e–tān–ya–pi tu kar–mā–ṇi 8 syllables e-taan-ya-pi tu kar-maa-ni
- saṅ–gaṃ tyak–tvā pha–lā–ni ca | 8 syllables san-gam tyak-tvaa pha-laa-ni cha
- kar–tav–yā–nī–ti me pār–tha 8 syllables kar-tav-yaa-nee-ti me paar-tha
- niś–ci–taṃ ma–ta–mut–ta–mam || 18-6 8 syllables nish-chi-tam ma-ta-mut-ta-mam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 6
Context
Krishna states his view (18.4–18.6).
Meaning
Even sacred acts must be done tyaktvā saṅgam phalāni ca, giving up attachment and desire for results. This is Krishna’s niścita mata uttama, his final and highest view.
This summarises karma yoga: act, act well, but do not cling to the act or its results.
In Practice
Do your spiritual practice today without expecting any particular result.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.