View source for We Should Not Desire the Fruits of Action

In the material world, every action is motivated by the expectation of a reward. A worker expects a salary, a businessman expects a profit, and a religious man expects piety. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that this desire to enjoy the fruits of action is the very cause of bondage. The art of Kṛṣṇa consciousness lies in acting dynamically without attachment to the result. This article explores the philosophy of ''niṣkāma-karma-yoga'', where the devotee performs his duty as an offering to the Supreme, leaving the outcome entirely in the hands of Kṛṣṇa.

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=== Principle of Duty Without Claim ===
The crux of the ''Bhagavad-gītā's'' instruction is the separation of labor from the claim to its produce. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that while we have the authority and right to work, we are strictly forbidden from desiring the result. This technique liberates the living entity from the reaction of work, transforming mundane labor into devotional service.

* [[Vaniquotes:You have your right to act according to your position." But, karmany evadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana: "But you should not desire to enjoy the fruit of your activity." That is the technique. You should not desire to enjoy the fruit of activity|You have your right to act according to your position." But, karmany evadhikaras te ma phalesu kadacana: "But you should not desire to enjoy the fruit of your activity." That is the technique. You should not desire to enjoy the fruit of activity.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Devotional service must not be executed for some material purpose. One should not even have a desire to merge into the Absolute Truth. One has to render such service out of love only|Devotional service must not be executed for some material purpose. One should not even have a desire to merge into the Absolute Truth. One has to render such service out of love only.]]

=== Renouncing Material Advancements ===
Often, practitioners of spiritual life fall into the trap of desiring material benefits—such as wealth, reputation, or economic stability—as a byproduct of their devotion. However, a sincere devotee must be vigilant not to desire success in religiosity, economic development, or sense gratification. The chanting of the holy name and the execution of service must remain pure, unmotivated by the desire for material advancement.

* [[Vaniquotes:Actually the living entity is not intended to achieve success in religious rituals, economic development or sense enjoyment. The living entity should not even desire success in liberation, what to speak of success in religion, economics & sense enjoyment|Actually the living entity is not intended to achieve success in religious rituals, economic development or sense enjoyment. The living entity should not even desire success in liberation, what to speak of success in religion, economics & sense enjoyment.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:While chanting the holy name of the Lord, one should not desire the material advancements represented by religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and ultimately liberation from the material world|While chanting the holy name of the Lord, one should not desire the material advancements represented by religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and ultimately liberation from the material world.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taught that one should not desire material opulence or material reputation, nor should one try to enjoy material beauty; one should simply aspire to be absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord|Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taught that one should not desire material opulence or material reputation, nor should one try to enjoy material beauty; one should simply aspire to be absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord.]]

=== Dependence and Satisfaction ===
Giving up the desire for fruits means accepting total dependence on the Lord. A devotee does not separately endeavor for his own comfort or maintenance but relies on Kṛṣṇa's arrangement. Whether the result of one's work is success or failure, comfort or misery, the devotee remains satisfied, knowing that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate controller of all outcomes.

* [[Vaniquotes:We should not desire separately for material comfort. We should simply depend on Krsna and be satisfied. In whatever condition He keeps, be satisfied. Then He will look after whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable|We should not desire separately for material comfort. We should simply depend on Krsna and be satisfied. In whatever condition He keeps, be satisfied. Then He will look after whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In devotional life, one should not desire anything, since everything depends on the Supreme Personality of Godhead|In devotional life, one should not desire anything, since everything depends on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should accept only that which is allotted to him; one should not desire to infringe upon the property of others|One should accept only that which is allotted to him; one should not desire to infringe upon the property of others.]]

=== Conclusion ===
To work without desiring the fruit is the definition of true intelligence in spiritual life. By giving up the manufacturing of ideas for happiness and simply executing the order of the spiritual master, the devotee transcends the duality of the material world. The only ambition that remains is the desire to increase Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is the perfection of existence and the true fulfillment of life.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Should Not Desire|Should Not Desire]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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