What is Nishkam Karma Yoga: Bhagavad Gita
- myNachiketa
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Imagine a sunny day where everything seems just perfect. You’re playing with your friends, sharing laughter and joy, when suddenly, someone needs help. What if I told you that helping others without expecting anything in return can lead us to true happiness? This is the essence of Nishkam Karma Yoga, a beautiful concept from the Bhagavad Gita that teaches us how to live a fulfilled life!
What is Nishkam Karma?
The word 'Nishkam' means selfless, and the Karma’ means action. When we combine these two, we get a path of selfless action. When you help your family with chores, play with younger siblings, or lend a hand to a friend, you’re engaging in Nishkam Karma! The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture, highlights that every action can be performed with love and without attachment to the results.
Nishkam Karma Yoga- A path to real happiness
When we talk about Nishkam Karma Yoga, we’re discussing a way of performing our duties without any expectation of reward.
Just like a flower gives fragrance and beauty without asking for anything in return, we too can act kindly, focusing only on the joy of giving and helping others. This leads us to a peaceful state of mind, where our happiness comes from our actions, not from what we receive.
To help you understand better, let’s take a look at some inspiring shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita that convey this wisdom:
Shloka 1
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachan
ma karmaphalahetu bhurma te sango stvakarmani
This shloka teaches us that we have the right to our actions but not to the fruits or results of those actions. Can you imagine studying for a test not just to get good grades but because learning is enjoyable? That is Nishkam Karma!
Shloka 2
न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभु: |
न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते || 14||
Na kartṛtvam na karmani lokasya srjati prabhuh
Na karmaphalasamyogam svabhavastu pravartate
This verse reminds us that no one can escape their nature or the actions they do. It suggests that it is purely our nature that makes us act. A tree gives fruit, and the Sun gives light because it is their nature. Similarly, we should help and care for others because it’s in our true nature to be kind.
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Shloka 3
युक्त: कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् |
अयुक्त: कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते || 12||
Yuktah karmaphalam tyaktva shantim apnoti naishthikim
Ayuktah kamakarena phale sakto nibadhyate
This shloka tells us that when we work without being attached to the results, we find true peace. Imagine you’re helping your friends with a project without worrying about who gets the credit. How fulfilling would that feel?
Shloka 4
कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि |
योगिन: कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वात्मशुद्धये || 11||
Kayena manasa buddhya kevalair indriyair api
Yoginah karma kurvanti saṅgam tyaktvatmasuddhaye
This verse explains how wise people perform actions with their body, mind, and intellect, free from attachment, for the sake of purifying oneself. When you decide to tidy up your room, you’re cleaning it not because someone asked, but because it makes you feel good inside!
Nishkam Karma in Our Lives
Children, you have many small daily choices where you can practice Nishkam Karma. Here are a few thoughts:
When you share your toys, do it because it's fun to play together, not just to earn a thank you.
If you help your parents with household chores, do it with joy, knowing that you’re making a difference in their day!
When your friend is sad, lend them your support without expecting them to act differently in return; seeing them smile is your reward.
Remember, every action, no matter how small, can lead to great joy when done selflessly. You’ll find yourself happier, just like the sun shines brightly, spreading warmth without expecting anything back.
By embracing Nishkam Karma, we can all become wonderful little do-gooders in our own ways! Let’s make a promise to be kind, just for the joy it brings.
Let’s hold on to the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita and live happily, embracing selfless actions in our everyday lives!
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