Chapter 18, Verse 23 (Bhagavad Gita 18.23)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते
Transliteration
niyataṁ saṅga-rahitam arāga-dveṣhataḥ kṛitam aphala-prepsunā karma yat tat sāttvikam uchyate
Word Meanings
niyatam—in accordance with scriptures; saṅga-rahitam—free from attachment; arāga-dveṣhataḥ—free from attachment and aversion; kṛitam—done; aphala-prepsunā—without desire for rewards; karma—action; yat—which; tat—that; sāttvikam—in the mode of goodness; uchyate—is called
Translation
An action that is ordained, free from attachment, performed without love or hatred, and devoid of any desire for the fruits of labor, is declared to be of the mode of goodness (Sattvic).
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Bhagwan Shri Krishna instructs Arjuna on the science of selfless action, which is the gateway to liberation. By performing one’s prescribed duties without the turbulence of personal desire, attachment, or aversion, a devotee harmonizes their soul with the divine order. Shri Krishna teaches that when actions are offered as a sacrifice to the Supreme, they cease to be a chain of bondage and instead become a path of purity. This Sattvic approach purifies the consciousness, allowing the seeker to transcend the ego and dwell in the eternal peace of the Divine. Ultimately, Shri Krishna invites all souls to act as instruments of His will, thereby attaining the state of perfect tranquility.