Chapter 18 · Verse 23

Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender

नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते

niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣhataḥ kṛitam aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam uchyate

Word Meanings

niyatam saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣhataḥ kṛitam aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam uchyate

Translation

Action that is performed as duty, free from attachment and without desire or aversion, by one who seeks no reward — that action is called sattvic.

Commentary

नियतम् ordained? सङ्गरहितम् free from attachment? अरागद्वेषतः without love or hatred? कृतम् done? अफलप्रेप्सुना by one not desirous of the fruit? कर्म action? यत् which? तत् that? सात्त्विकम् Sattvic (pure)? ुच्यते is declared.Commentary Niyatam Ordained Obligatory. One is not excited to perform an obligatory action through love or hatred.This is a pure act. The performer of such pure action experiences great joy. He does his duty or any other work wholeheartedly not caring for the reward but offering it willingly at the feet of the Lord. He works in accordancw with the dictates of the scriptures. Now I will explain to thee? O Arjuna? the nature of action which is Rajasic or passionate. Do thou listen to Me with rapt attention.