karmaṇām

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते

karmaṇām — of actions

No one reaches freedom from action by refusing to act, nor perfection merely by renouncing.

कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः

karmaṇā — by the performance of prescribed duties

It was by action alone that Janaka and others before him reached perfection. So act, if only for the sake of the world.

काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः

karmaṇām — material activities

Those who want their undertakings to succeed make offerings to the gods, and success in the human world comes to them quickly.

संन्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि

karmaṇām — of actions

You praise the renunciation of action, Krishna, and then you praise yoga. Which of the two is better? Tell me clearly.

येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम्

karmaṇām — activities

But those whose wrongdoing has come to an end, whose actions are good, freed from the confusion of opposites, worship me with resolve.

लोभः प्रवृत्तिरारम्भः कर्मणामशमः स्पृहा

karmaṇām — for fruitive actions

Greed, busyness, the undertaking of actions, restlessness and craving arise when restlessness has grown strong.

काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं संन्यासं कवयो विदुः

karmaṇām — of actions

The wise know renunciation to be the giving up of actions driven by desire; and letting go, the giving up of the fruit of all action.

पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे

karmaṇām — of karmas

Learn from me, mighty-armed one, the five causes of all action, as told in the reckoning that brings action to an end:

स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा

karmaṇā — actions

Bound by your own nature and by the work born of it, son of Kunti, you will do the very thing you do not wish to do, unwillingly.