Nishkama Karma (निष्कामकर्म)

Nishkama karma (Samskrit: निष्कामकर्म) is translated as a ‘duty without desire’, ‘an action with no regard to its fruits’, ‘disinterested action’, and ‘selfless action’. Bhagavad Gita emphasizes,

BG 2.47

Sakāma karmas are deeds motivated by a fervent desire to achieve worldly goals on the materialistic path. It is the path of pravrtti (expanding social growth) and entails the active involvement of the self with social roles in the family and community. Contrary to it is the path of selfless action, an action without ego-involvement, an activity devoid of goals for personal gratification termed niṣkāma karma. Niṣkāma karma is a deed intended for everyone’s benefit, similar in a sense to altruism. It is karma that follows dharma, the moral imperative path.