The best line of Bhagwat Geeta — and what it really means
Ask a hundred people for the best line of the Bhagwat Geeta and most will quote the same verse: chapter 2, verse 47 — karmaṇy evādhikāras te. It is short enough to remember, and deep enough to spend a lifetime on.
The line: Bhagavad Gita 2.47
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
You have a right to your actions, but never to their fruits. Do not let the results be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.
हिंदी अर्थ: तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, उसके फल में कभी नहीं। इसलिए फल की इच्छा को कर्म का कारण मत बनाओ, और कर्म न करने में भी आसक्ति मत रखो।
Word-by-word meaning
| Sanskrit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कर्मणि एव | in action alone |
| अधिकारः ते | is your right |
| मा फलेषु कदाचन | never in its fruits |
| मा कर्मफलहेतुः भूः | do not let the fruit of action be your motive |
| मा ते सङ्गः अस्तु अकर्मणि | and do not be attached to inaction |
What it does not mean
- Not “stop caring about results”. Krishna wants Arjuna to succeed. The point is that anxiety about results should not drive or paralyse the work.
- Not “do nothing”. The last line explicitly rules out inaction as an escape.
- Not fatalism. It puts full responsibility on your effort — the part you actually control.
How to live this line today
Before an exam, a presentation or a hard conversation, write one sentence: “Doing this well means ___.” Judge yourself only on that. When your mind jumps to the outcome, return to the next action. That is 2.47 in practice.
Five other contenders for the best line
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय। सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥
Established in yoga, do your work, giving up attachment, balanced in success and failure. This evenness of mind is called yoga.
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
Lift yourself by your own self; do not let yourself sink. You alone are your own friend, and you alone are your own enemy.
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः। आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत॥
Contact with the senses brings cold and heat, pleasure and pain. These come and go and are not permanent. Learn to bear them patiently.
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥
Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, I manifest myself.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज। अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥
Setting aside all other duties, take refuge in me alone. I will free you from all wrongs. Do not grieve.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best line of Bhagwat Geeta?
Most people consider 2.47 the best line: “कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन” — you have a right to your actions, but never to their fruits.
What is the best line of Bhagwat Geeta in Hindi?
“तुम्हारा अधिकार केवल कर्म करने में है, उसके फल में कभी नहीं।” (गीता 2.47)
What is the best line of Bhagwat Geeta in Sanskrit?
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ (2.47)
What is the most powerful shloka of the Gita?
Many readers name 2.47 for daily life, 4.7 (“yadā yadā hi dharmasya”) as the most famous promise, and 18.66 as Krishna’s final assurance.