Duty

Karmany evadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana, ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango 'stv akarmani

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

Shreyan sva-dharmo vigunah para-dharmat sv-anushthitat, sva-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah

It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Better to die performing one's own duty than adopt another's, for that is dangerous.

Nimittani ca pashyami viparitani keshava, na ca shreyo 'nupashyami hatva svajanam ahave

I see only adverse omens, O Krishna, and I do not foresee any good from killing my own kinsmen in battle.

Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah

You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.

Tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu mām anusmara yudhya ca, mayy arpita-mano-buddhir mām evaiṣyasy asanśayaḥ

Therefore, remember Me at all times and fight. With mind and intellect surrendered to Me, you will certainly attain Me.

Tasmac chastram pramanam te karyakarya-vyavasthitau, jnatva shastra-vidhanoktam karma kartum iharhasi

Therefore, let the scriptures be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. Understanding the scriptural injunctions, you should perform your duties here.

Shamo damas tapah shaucham kshantir arjavam eva cha, jnanam vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam

Tranquility, self-control, austerity, purity, forgiveness, uprightness, knowledge, realization, and faith in God—these are the natural qualities of work for brahmins.

Arjuna uvaca: Nashto mohah smritir labdha tvat-prasadan mayacyuta, sthito 'smi gata-sandehah karishye vacanam tava

Arjuna said: O infallible Krishna, my illusion is dispelled, and by Your grace I have regained memory. I am now firm and free from doubt, and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.

Sukha-duhkhe same kritva labhalabhau jayajayau, tato yuddhaya yujyasva naivam papam avapsyasi

Fight for the sake of duty, treating alike happiness and distress, loss and gain, victory and defeat. Fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never incur sin.

Tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samachara, asakto hy acharan karma param apnoti purushah

Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform action which is duty, for by performing action without attachment, one attains the Supreme.

Aphala-kāṅkṣhibhir yajño vidhi-diṣhṭo ya ijyate, yaṣhṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ

Sacrifice that is performed as a duty, without desire for reward, according to scriptural injunctions, with a concentrated mind—that is of the nature of goodness.