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Hindu · Concept

Nishkama Karma

निष्काम कर्म
The secret to peace: act with full effort, zero attachment to outcome

Nishkama Karma is the Bhagavad Gita's most famous teaching — action without desire for results (nishkama = without desire, karma = action). It is often misunderstood as indifference. In reality it means acting from love and duty rather than from craving: a surgeon operates with full skill and care, but does not cling to whether the patient lives. A parent cooks for a child with complete love, not for the child's gratitude. Gandhi used Nishkama Karma as the philosophical basis of his political resistance.

Desireless ActionSelfless ServiceAction Without Attachment
See it as a constellationTap connections to travel, one hop at a time
Scriptures
Bhagavad Gitacore teaching
Across traditions
Ahimsashares non-ego principle
Explore further
Krishnacore teachingChapter 3: Act Without CravingintroducesChapter 18: The Final Teachingultimate expressionKarma Yogaexpressed asKarmafrees from bindingDharmaliving dharma as
A 60-second practice

Think of something you are desperately hoping will go a certain way. Now ask: 'Can I give this my absolute best — and then genuinely release the result?' Feel the difference between caring deeply and clinging desperately.

Apply every morning before the day's work begins.

Keep this offering free
MyBrahman is free and ad-free for everyone. If it has given you something, dāna keeps the lamp lit.
Offer dāna
Educational purposes only. Compiled from general reference sources and not reviewed by any religious authority. No disrespect is intended to any deity, tradition, scripture or community. For authoritative guidance, consult qualified scholars and primary texts.
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