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Karmanye Vadhikaraste (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 Daily; before work, study or any important undertaking·🎵 Audio included·📜 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47
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📜 Complete Lyrics📖 Word-by-Word Meaning✨ Benefits & How to Chant

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47 · Veda Vyasa (Lord Krishna's teaching) · Itihasa (Mahabharata)

Spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, this verse is the essence of Karma Yoga. As Arjuna hesitated, paralysed by the fruits his action might bring, Krishna taught him that the right of a human being is to action alone, never to its results — to act with full effort and surrender the outcome. It has become the most beloved and quoted verse of the entire Gita.

✦ As told in scripture

Sages and seekers across ages have found in this one verse the secret of a peaceful, fearless life: that anxiety is born of craving the fruit, and freedom of giving oneself wholly to the action — a teaching as practical for the student and the worker as for the yogi.

Listen & Chant Along

The Mantra

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥

Karmanyevadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana Ma karmaphalaheturbhurma te sangostvakarmani

Meaning:You have a right to action alone, never to its fruits; let not the fruit of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

कर्मणि एव अधिकारः ते🔊Karmani eva adhikarah teYou have a right to action (karma) alone
मा फलेषु कदाचन🔊Ma phaleshu kadachanaNever to its fruits (phala)
मा कर्मफलहेतुः भूः🔊Ma karma-phala-hetuh bhuhLet not the fruit of action be your motive
मा ते सङ्गः अस्तु अकर्मणि🔊Ma te sangah astu akarmaniNor let your attachment be to inaction

Benefits of Chanting Karmanye Vadhikaraste (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)

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The single most famous verse of the Bhagavad Gita (2.47), the essence of Karma Yoga — act without attachment to results (nishkama karma).

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Recited and reflected upon for peace of mind, freedom from anxiety over outcomes, and the strength to do one's duty selflessly.

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A timeless teaching for work, study and life: give your best to the action, and surrender the fruit to the Divine.

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Chanted daily and before any important work or examination to steady the mind and dissolve the fear of failure.

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Studied with the Bhagavad Gita and recited as a guiding principle of life by seekers and workers alike.

How to Chant Karmanye Vadhikaraste (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)

Repetitions1times
Best TimeDaily; before work, study or any important undertaking
FaceEast or facing Krishna

Recite the verse slowly, reflecting on its meaning — that your right is to sincere action, not to its results. Let it settle the mind before beginning any task, releasing anxiety about the outcome. It is a contemplation as much as a chant.

Frequently Asked Questions

From Bhagavad Gita 2.47, it means: 'You have a right to action alone, never to its fruits; let not the fruit of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.' It teaches Karma Yoga — doing one's duty sincerely while surrendering attachment to the results.
It is verse 47 of Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita, spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna. It is the most quoted verse of the Gita and the cornerstone of its teaching on selfless action (nishkama karma).
It brings peace of mind and freedom from anxiety over results, the courage to do one's duty without fear of failure, and a balanced, detached approach to work and life. Many recite it before work or exams to focus on effort rather than outcome.
Nishkama karma is 'action without desire for its fruits' — the central teaching of this verse. One acts wholeheartedly and to the best of one's ability, but offers the results to God, remaining free from craving and anxiety. This is the heart of Karma Yoga.

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