Yogasthah Kuru Karmani (Bhagavad Gita 2.48)
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि
Also known as: yogasthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya · samatvam yoga uchyate · bhagavad gita 2.48
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✦ Meaning
Bhagavad Gita 2.48 is the heart of Karma Yoga: Krishna instructs Arjuna to act while remaining established in yoga, giving up attachment to results and staying even-minded in success and failure. This evenness of mind (samatvam) is itself defined as yoga. The verse teaches how to work in the world without being bound by it.
Origin & Story
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 48 · Veda Vyasa (Lord Krishna's teaching) · Itihasa (Mahabharata)
In the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the Sankhya Yoga, Lord Krishna lifts Arjuna out of his despondency on the battlefield by teaching the path of selfless action. In this verse he gives the essence of Karma Yoga — to act while remaining steadfast in yoga, free of attachment, even-minded in success and failure — and defines this equanimity as yoga itself.
✦ As told in scripture
Devotees and seekers hold that one who truly lives this verse becomes unshakeable — performing every duty wholeheartedly yet untouched by anxiety, for the mind that rests in equanimity is no longer tossed by gain or loss, victory or defeat.
The Mantra
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योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय। सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥
yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga uchyate
Meaning:Perform action, O Arjuna, being steadfast in Yoga, abandoning attachment and balanced in success and failure; evenness of mind is called Yoga.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Yogasthah Kuru Karmani (Bhagavad Gita 2.48)
The foundational verse of Karma Yoga — teaches how to act without anxiety over success or failure.
Cultivates samatvam (equanimity), the steady evenness of mind that the Gita calls yoga itself.
Frees the mind from attachment to results, reducing stress, fear and restlessness in work.
Recited for guidance before any important task, duty or decision, to act with a balanced heart.
Contemplated daily to remain centred and unshaken amid the ups and downs of life.
How to Chant Yogasthah Kuru Karmani (Bhagavad Gita 2.48)
Recite the verse calmly, reflecting on its meaning, and resolve to act with full effort while letting go of attachment to the outcome. It is often contemplated before starting work or making decisions, as a reminder to keep the mind even in success and failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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