Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,

 कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,

Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani

I would like to respectfully differ from the general interpretation given to this verse. Often, people quote only the first line of this verse, overlooking the second line that completes its meaning.

Let us first observe the phrase (कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते) Karmanyevadhikaraste—sometimes written as “Karmanye Vadhikaraste,” which is also acceptable. When split further, we get Karmanya, Eva, Adhikara, Aste.

A rough translation of this verse is:

“You have the right only to work, but never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.”

While many scholars have offered spiritual interpretations, I prefer to view this through a management lens.

Every journey begins with a destination in mind. When we want to go nowhere, every road is our road. Similarly, every task is initiated with a clear outcome in view. Otherwise, we wouldn’t know whether we are progressing in the right direction. One might be fully committed yet still go astray. Christopher Columbus serves as a prime example—his goal was to reach India, but due to a lack of course correction, he discovered America instead. He was fortunate to make such an error at his Queen’s expense—but we may not have that luxury.

Hence, I cannot subscribe to the notion of performing a task without keeping the outcome in sight. Let us examine why I hold this view.

Word-by-word meaning of the verse:

कर्मण्य/Karmanya = In the work

एव/Eva = Only

अधिकार/Adhikar = Right (often misunderstood here)

ते/Te = Your

मा/Ma = No / Not

फलेषु/Phaleshu = In the result (root: “फल”/“Phal,” meaning fruit or result)

कदाचन/Kadachana = Never ever

Most scholars interpret Adhikar as “right,” which can lead to misinterpretation. In this context, I see Adhikar as accountability.

I am accountable for the work assigned to me, not for the results it produces. Outcomes are not within our control—not due to fate, but because they are determined by the processes that precede them. Hence, rather than focusing on results, we must focus on processes—for the right processes yield the right outcomes.

As a corporate trainer, I explain it this way:

Suppose I have a large belly and wish to reduce it. Every morning I measure my waistline, wondering, “Has it reduced?” Naturally, it won’t—because I’m chasing the result. Instead, if I track how long I walk or jog, monitor my exercise routine, and control my carb intake, results will follow.

The message is clear: Chase the process, not the result. When processes are right, results are inevitable.

Now, let’s turn to the second line of the verse:

मा/Ma = No/Not

कर्मफल/Karmaphala = Karma (work) + Phala (result or fruit of work)

हेतु/Hetu = Motive or reason

भू/Bhu = Be

मा/Ma = No/Not

ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि/Te Sangostvakarmani

ते/Te = Your

संग/Sang = Attachment (also “companionship,” as in “Satsang”)

अस्तु/Astu = Let there be

अकर्मणि/Akarmani = In inaction

Literal translation:

“Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.”

Here again, translating Hetu merely as “motive” risks misunderstanding. It is more appropriate to interpret it as reason.

When inspiration translates into action, it becomes motivation. However, motivation cannot exist without a motive. A motive, when acted upon, gives rise to motivation. Thus, the motive is what keeps the universe in motion. Without it, we would remain inert. This is precisely what the second line advises—inaction is not the answer.

As Thiruvalluvar wisely said:

"இலம் என்று அசைஇ இருப்பாரைக் காணின் நிலம் என்னும் நல்லாள் நகும்"

Stay committed to the process. Do not fall into inaction. Pursue excellence. Strive continuously—and the results will naturally follow.

I believe this is the true essence of what Bhagwan Shri Krishna conveyed to Arjuna. As a Kshatriya, you are bound by duty to fight. Victory or defeat is secondary. What truly matters is your adherence to the right processes, which alone can yield the right outcomes. Periodically refine your processes to meet evolving demands, and success will follow.

Countless interpretations exist for this verse, but as a corporate professional, this is my understanding. The two lines are inseparable and must always be read together to grasp the complete wisdom of this timeless message.