कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन | सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलं चैव स त्यागः सात्त्विको मतः ||
kāryam ity eva yat karma niyataṁ kriyate 'rjuna saṅgaṁ tyaktvā phalaṁ caiva sa tyāgaḥ sāttiviko mataḥ
Translation
When obligatory action is performed simply because it must be done, having given up attachment and fruit — that abandonment is considered sattvic.
Interpretation
Sattvic tyaga: performing obligatory action with the simple conviction 'it must be done' (karyam iti eva), with both attachment and fruit-expectation abandoned. This is the fullest expression of karma yoga: no personal agenda, no ego-investment in outcome, no fear of failure or hope of reward — simply the clear-eyed performance of what duty requires. 'Karyam iti' — 'it must be done' — contains the entire teaching. Not 'I want to' or 'I'm afraid not to' but 'this is what this moment calls for, and I will meet it fully.'