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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,

Nishkama karma (Samskrit: निष्कामकर्म) is translated as a ‘duty without desire’, ‘an action with no regard to its fruits’, ‘disinterested action’, and ‘selfless action’. 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.<ref name=":0">Paranjpe, Anand. C. and Ramakrishna Rao, K. (2016) ''Psychology in the Indian Tradition.'' London: Kluwer Academic Publishers. </ref> Bhagavad Gita emphasizes,

BG 2.47

BG 2.47

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

[[Karma (कर्म)]] refers to 1) any action or deed; 2) the principle of cause and effect; 3) a consequence or “fruit of action” (karmaphala) or “after effect” (uttaraphala), that sooner or later returns upon the doer.   

[[Karma (कर्म)]] refers to 1) any action or deed; 2) the principle of cause and effect; 3) a consequence or “fruit of action” (karmaphala) or “after effect” (uttaraphala), that sooner or later returns upon the doer.   

Kartum akartum anyatha va kartum sakyam laukikam vaidikam ca karma.<ref name=":0" />  

Kartum akartum anyatha va kartum sakyam laukikam vaidikam ca karma.<ref name=":0" />  

== Intention: Sakāma or Niṣkāma Karma ==

== The term kāma in Sakāma or Niṣkāma Karma ==

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.<ref name=":0" /> The word ‘kama’ in niṣkāma refers to dismissing the ‘desire’ for an action’s results rather than eliminating the ‘desire’ to propel an action.  

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.<ref name=":0" /> The word ‘kama’ in niṣkāma refers to dismissing the ‘desire’ for an action’s results rather than eliminating the ‘desire’ to propel an action.  

Niṣkāma karma is equated to the Western thought of categorical imperative, known as Kant’s moral law: a ''duty for duty’s sake.'' Kant's law, however, differs in that the arguments are intriguing in theory but troublesome in practice because Kant does not offer the applications of the idea.<ref>Pathak, Krishna Mani. 2013. “Nishkama Karma and the Categorical Imperative: A Philosophical Reflection on the Bhagavad-Gita.” ''International Journal of Applied Ethics'' 2:119-140. <nowiki>https://www.academia.edu/19631993</nowiki>. (Page 120)</ref>

Niṣkāma karma is equated to the Western thought of categorical imperative, known as Kant’s moral law: a ''duty for duty’s sake.'' Kant's law, however, differs in that the arguments are intriguing in theory but troublesome in practice because Kant does not offer the applications of the idea.<ref>Pathak, Krishna Mani. 2013. “Nishkama Karma and the Categorical Imperative: A Philosophical Reflection on the Bhagavad-Gita.” ''International Journal of Applied Ethics'' 2:119-140. <nowiki>https://www.academia.edu/19631993</nowiki>. (Page 120)</ref>

In the Yogasutras, we find the

The notion of karma as willed action—whether the will is controlled by the accumulated karma or driven by dharma - has wide implications on a person's psyche. Although one’s mental states are resultants of one’s karma, karma itself is produced by apperceptual (having specific own context) acts that are free. Man’s behavior is doubtless controlled and conditioned by all kinds of circumstances that include past karma. However, he is still free to exercise his volition to act differently. This is where the karmic consequences can be overcome from what is ordained and how they can be changed by the same volition or will. Volition in the sense of willed action means action with ego-reference. Volition without ego-involvement is what we called earlier pure volition, available in meditative and pure states of consciousness. Volition is thus the source for causing karma and a resource to overcome karma.<ref name=":0" />   

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Vedanta]]

[[Category:Vedanta]]

[[Category:Yoga]]

[[Category:Yoga]]