Subhangi Das's Key Ideas from Karma-Yoga
by Swami Vivekānanda

Duty is relative and varies according to time, place, and circumstance.

We should not impose our duty on others, but respect their duty. The highest duty is to realize our true nature, which is divine.

We should not be attached to our duty, but perform it as a worship of God.

We should not expect any reward or praise for our duty, but be grateful for the opportunity to serve.

The world does not depend on us, nor do we owe anything to the world5. We are only debtors to God, who is the source of everything. We help ourselves by helping others, because it is a means of educating ourselves and expressing our love. We should not be attached to the world, but see it as a manifestation of God. We should not be fanatics, but be calm, sympathetic, and loving.

The ideal of Karma-Yoga is to work for work’s sake, without any selfish motive or desire.

This is the way to attain perfection and freedom. We should not be bound by the results of our work, but leave them to God.

We should not be disturbed by success or failure, but be equanimous. We should not be attached to anything, but renounce everything.

We should not hate anyone, but love everyone. We should not work as slaves, but as masters of our own mind.

Everyone has a role to play in the world, according to his or her nature and capacity6. We should not compare ourselves with others, but do our best in our own place. We should not be envious or jealous of others, but admire and learn from them. We should not interfere with others, but help them if they need it. We should not be proud or arrogant, but humble and respectful.

The secret of work is to be unattached, and to work as a witness and a servant of God.

We should not think that we are the doers of our work, but that God is working through us.

We should not claim any ownership or agency over our work, but dedicate it to God. We should not be affected by the good or evil in our work, but see them as the same.

We should not be attached to the fruits of our work, but give them up to God.

Non-attachment is the highest form of self-sacrifice, and the essence of Karma-Yoga.

It is the state of being free from all desires, fears, and expectations. It is the state of being one with God, and seeing God in everything.

It is the state of being ready to give up everything, even one’s own life, for the sake of others.

It is the state of being pure, perfect, and blissful.

Freedom is the goal of all human beings, and the ultimate result of Karma-Yoga.

It is the state of being free from all bondage, ignorance, and suffering.

It is the state of being free from the cycle of birth and death, and the law of karma.

It is the state of being free from the duality of good and evil, pleasure and pain, life and death.

It is the state of being free from the limitations of time, space, and causation. It is the state of being one with the Absolute, the Infinite, the Eternal.