Bhagavad Gita BG 18.6
Chapter 18, Verse 6 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च । कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ॥
etany api tu karmani sangam tyaktva phalani ca kartavyani iti me partha nishcitam matam uttamam
Meaning
But even these actions (yajna, dana, tapas) should be performed, O Partha, abandoning attachment (sanga) and also fruits (phala). This is My definitive and highest view (uttamam matam).
Understanding
The definitive resolution. Etany api tu (but even these — including yajna, dana, tapas about which the sages disagreed) — karmani (actions) — kartavyani (must be performed, are to be done — the obligation-form). The must stands: perform them. The how: sangam tyaktva phalani ca (having abandoned attachment AND fruit). Two inner relinquishments: sanga (clinging to/identification with the action and its process) and phala (the fruit/result). Nishcitam matam uttamam (My settled, certain, highest view). This is Krishna's final word on the central question of the Gita: act fully, with no attachment to process or result. The action performed, the fruit relinquished — this is the highest teaching. It preserves the validity of sacred action (against the radical renunciates) while fully honoring the spirit of renunciation (fruit-freedom).
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| एतान्यपि | etany api | even these (referring to yajna, dana, tapas), these too |
| सङ्गम् | sangam | attachment, clinging, identification with |
| त्यक्त्वा | tyaktva | having abandoned, after relinquishing |
| कर्तव्यानि | kartavyani | must be performed, are to be done (strong obligation form) |
| उत्तमम् | uttamam | highest, best, most excellent |
| मतम् | matam | view, opinion, settled teaching (from man = to think) |
| एतानि | etāni api tu | but these also |
| कर्माणि | karmaṇi | actions |
| सङ्गम् | saṅgam | attachment |
| त्यक्त्वा | tyaktvā | abandoning |
| फलानि | phalāni ca | and results |
| कर्तव्यानि | kartavyāni | should be performed |
| इति | iti | thus |
| मे | me | My |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O Arjuna |
| निश्चितम् | niścitam | definite |