Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 17 verse 11
Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Doing It Simply Because It's Right · The Purest Intention

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते । यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥

aphalākāṅkṣibhir yajño vidhi-dṛṣṭo ya ijyate yaṣṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ

Meaning

"A sacrifice performed according to scriptural guidance, without desire for reward, with the mind fixed only on the duty to offer it, is sattvic."

Explanation

The purest version of any good act is one done simply because it's right, with no eye on what it will earn you — that quality of intention changes everything about the act.

Today's Life Lesson

Do one good thing today purely because it's right, without checking what it might earn you in return.

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