Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yoga – Yoga of Contemplation on Self: 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 – 2.47
Your fitness, maturity, is only to pursue activities, active life (karma-niṣṭhā), and not for exclusive wisdom and contemplation (jñāna-niṣṭhā). But while doing activity, foster not any delusional clinging to its outcomes of sukha and du:kha, the dual mental responses. These responses should not be the motivation for work. At the same time, be not given to inactivity, idleness
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yoga – Yoga of Contemplation on Self - Verse 47
Ma Gurupriya
The import of the first line of this verse is greatly misunderstood. Between the path of exclusive wisdom (jñāna-niṣṭhā) devoid of activity, and the path through activity (karma-niṣṭhā), says Krishna, Arjuna is now fit only for active life, not for jñāna-niṣṭhā.
The question is: Will not such active involvement torment and bind one? Krishna says, it is enough if the performer fosters no delusional clinging to the results of whatever he does.
So, Krishna gives four complementary instructions: 1. Arjuna is fit only for karma-niṣṭhā. 2. He must not cling to resulting gain. 3. He should not be motivated by preferred outcome. 4. He must not cling to inactivity.
