Bhagavad Gita 18.23 · Krishna
Clear action
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।
अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते॥
niyataṃ saṅgarahitamarāgadveṣataḥ kṛtamaphalaprepsunā karma yattatsāttvikamucyate
Rightful action done without clinging, without attraction or aversion, by one not seeking the fruit, is called clear.
Words
- karma
What it means
Krishna describes sattvic karma, clear action. It's your rightful duty. Done without clinging. Without being pulled by liking or pushed by disliking. And without craving the reward. It's work done cleanly, fully, with nothing extra attached. Calm, but not cold.
The story
This is how Krishna hopes Arjuna will act today. Not with excitement or dread, but steadily, because it's his to do.
In your life
Imagine a nurse calmly doing the night round, checking every patient, whether she likes them or not. Do one task today without liking or disliking it, just doing it well.
Clear action has nothing extra attached.