BG 3.19
Therefore, without attachment, perform the work that is your duty, for one who does their duty without attachment attains perfection.
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः
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tasmād — therefore
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asaktaḥ — unattached
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satataṁ — constantly
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kāryaṁ — duty
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karma — work
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samāchara — perform
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asakto — unattached
asaktaḥ -
hyācharan — certainly performing
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hi — certainly
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ācharan — performing
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karma — work
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param — the supreme
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āpnoti — attains
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pūruṣhaḥ — a person
For the one whose only delight is in the self, is satisfied within the self, and is content in the self alone, nothing remains to be accomplished. For them, there is nothing to gain from action or inaction. Their welfare does not depend on the contribution of mortal creatures. Therefore, without attachment, perform the work that is your duty, for one who does their duty without attachment attains perfection. King Janaka and others reached perfection through action alone. Even for the sake of enlightening the world, you must act. Whatever a great person does, others follow and imitate, conforming to the standard they have set.
Similar verses
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One attains perfection by diligently attending to their duty. I will now tell you how one attains success through devotion to their actions.
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One who is without attachment has been liberated. Their mind has become established in knowledge, and they work only for the sake of sacrifice, leaving no residue of Karma.
- Verse 4.23
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This world is held in the bondage of actions that were not performed for the sake of sacrifice. Therefore, Arjuna, free yourself from attachment and perform work for this purpose alone.
- Verse 3.9
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Be steadfast in performing your duties, abandoning all attachment to success and failure - such equanimity is called Yoga.
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An action is pure when it is performed without attachment, free from desire or aversion, by one who does not seek the result of performing it.
- Verse 18.23