एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभि: |
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वै: पूर्वतरं कृतम् || 15||
evaṁ jñātvā kṛitaṁ karma pūrvair api mumukṣhubhiḥ
kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṁ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṁ kṛitam
evam—thus; jñātvā—knowing; kṛitam—performed; karma—actions; pūrvaiḥ—of ancient times; api—indeed; mumukṣhubhiḥ—seekers of liberation; kuru—should perform; karma—duty; eva—certainly; tasmāt—therefore; tvam—you; pūrvaiḥ—of those ancient sages; pūrva-taram—in ancient times; kṛitam—performed
Translation:
Thus knowing, the ancient spiritual aspirants performed the action. Therefore you shall do the same (desireless) action as performed by the ancients in older times.
Commentary:
Nishkama karma is the very foundation of spiritual life and the open gateway to final liberation. The mighty structure of Self-realisation is based on this wonderful and ancient law. Therefore the Lord exhorts Arjuna to follow the example set by the ancient sages who performed magnificient work for the benefit of humanity, without the least idea of doership or personal attachment. This law of nishkama karma is therefore not a new path or novel doctrine. It is a very ancient principle of spiritual life, and Lord Krishna reassures the modern generations that the law holds good for all times. This path is still open to all people without distinction of caste and creed, and it is within the reach of the common man, and leads to the highest good.
Swami Vivekananda Says —
“No action can touch me. I have no desire for the results of action. Whosoever knows me thus knows the secret and is not bound by action. The ancient sages, knowing this secret [could safely engage in action]. Do thou work in the same fashion.”[Source]