Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga · 47 verses

1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Duty & actionChapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga
5.296.2

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.1

Renunciation in the midst of action

श्रीभगवानुवाच

अनाश्रित: कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति य: ।

स सन्न्यासी च योगी च न निरग्न‍िर्न चाक्रिय: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

anāśritaḥ karma-phalaṁ

kāryaṁ karma karoti yaḥ

sa sannyāsī ca yogī ca

na niragnir na cākriyaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no duty.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Work for Kṛṣṇa’s Satisfaction

  1. 1The true renunciant and yogī does required work without attachment to its results, rather than giving up duties.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the perfect yogī works to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, not for personal enjoyment.
  3. 3Do your duties to please Kṛṣṇa, and measure success by His satisfaction.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 6, Dhyāna-yoga: renunciation in the midst of action.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Renunciation

One who works without attachment is described as renounced.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 6.1 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 5.2Detached action performed in devotionBG 18.2Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruitsBG 18.11Duty, renunciation and giving up the fruits

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 6.1 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.