Karma Sanyasa Yoga · Verse 12

Bhagavad Gita 5.12

Peace comes when action is no longer chained to reward.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् ।
अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
कर्मयोगी कर्मफलका त्याग करके नैष्ठिकी शान्तिको प्राप्त होता है । परन्तु सकाम मनुष्य कामनाके कारण फलमें आसक्त होकर बँध जाता है ॥
English
The disciplined one gives up the fruit of action and attains steady peace. The undisciplined one, clinging to results through desire, becomes bound.

What this verse means

Letting go of results brings steady peace. Wanting a specific reward keeps you trapped.

Context & commentary

On Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands frozen between duty and fear. Krishna explains that action itself does not bind; craving the reward does. The one who gives up attachment to results finds steady peace.

Why this verse still matters

You send the message, then keep checking for the reply. The knot in your chest is not from the action — it is from needing a certain outcome.

The takeaway

There is relief in doing your part without carrying the weight of the result.

Word-by-word translation

युक्तः (disciplined one) / कर्मफलम् (fruit of action) / त्यक्त्वा (having given up) / शान्तिम् (peace) / आप्नोति (attains) / नैष्ठिकीम् (steady, abiding) । / अयुक्तः (undisciplined one) / कामकारेण (through desire) / फले (in the fruit) / सक्तः (attached) / निबध्यते (is bound)

Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), attachment (20 verses), nishkama (14 verses)

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