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← Chapter 6: The Yoga of Meditation

Verse 6.1

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः। स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः॥

Transliteration (IAST)

anāśritaḥ karma-phalaṁ kāryaṁ karma karoti yaḥ sa sannyāsī ca yogī ca na niragnir na cākriyaḥ

Word-by-Word Meanings

anāśritaḥ-without depending on
karma-phalam-fruit of action
kāryam-obligatory
karma-work
sannyāsī-renunciant
yogī-mystic

Translation

One who performs their prescribed duty without depending on the fruits of action is a true sannyasi and yogi, not one who has merely renounced the sacred fire or ceased all activity.

Commentary

Krishna redefines renunciation at the start of this chapter. True sannyasa is not external abandonment of action but internal detachment from results. This verse bridges Chapter 5's karma sannyasa with Chapter 6's meditation teachings.

Themes

karmayogaduty