Guides · Overthinking · Failure · Purpose · Detachment
Bhagavad Gita 2.47
Put your whole heart into what you do, then loosen your grip on how it turns out. The outcome was never fully yours to hold.
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2, Verse 47
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stv akarmaṇi
Translation
You have a right to your actions, but never to their fruits. Do not let the results be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction either.
हिन्दी भावार्थ
तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, उसके फल में कभी नहीं। इसलिए फल को कर्म का कारण मत बनाओ, और कर्म न करने में भी आसक्ति मत रखो।
In simple words Interpretation
Put your whole heart into what you do, then loosen your grip on how it turns out. The outcome was never fully yours to hold.
Context
Krishna speaks to Arjuna, who is frozen by the weight of what lies ahead. This is one of the most quoted lines of the Gita — a reminder that effort is ours, outcomes are not.
When this may help
When you are anxious about results, exhausted from trying to control everything, or afraid to begin because it might not work out.
Reflection question
What are you trying to control that may not be yours to control?
A small practice
Before you begin one task today, say quietly: "I'll give this my best. The rest is not mine to carry."
Reflect on this verse, save your thoughts or share it as a card.
Open in Gita Reflection