Nishkamakarma, Niśkāmakarma, Nishkama-karma, Niṣkāmakarma: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Nishkamakarma means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit terms Niśkāmakarma and Niṣkāmakarma can be transliterated into English as Niskamakarma or Nishkamakarma, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Arthashastra (politics and welfare)
Source: Knowledge Traditions & Practices of India: Indian Ethics: Individual and SocialNiśkāmakarma (निश्कामकर्म) refers to “selfless action” as advocated in the Bhagavad-gītā. Niśkāma-karma is an action which is required to be performed without consideration of personal consequences. It is an altruistic action aimed at the well-being of others rather than for oneself. In Hinduism this doctrine is known as karma-yoga.
Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)Niṣkāmakarma (निष्कामकर्म) refers to “performance of one’s prescribed duty without any desire for the fruits, performed by one who desires jñāna, or liberation”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Vedanta (school of philosophy)
Source: SOAS: Philosophy of Advaita Vedānta according to Madhusūdana Sarasvatī's GūḍhārthadīpikāNiṣkāmakarma (निष्कामकर्म) refers to “actions performed after renouncing its fruits”.—Each chapter of the Bhagavadgītā describes various aspects of the means to liberation (mukti/mokṣa), which is considered the highest good in Vedānta. Śaṃkara also holds the purpose of the Bhagavadgītā to be the attainment of liberation, quickly declaring knowledge of the self, preceded by renunciation of all actions to be its means. The performance of disinterested actions, i.e. actions performed after renouncing its fruits (niṣkāmakarma), is combined with the forsaking of both those Vedic rituals that are performed solely out of desire for some personal gain (kāmyakarma) and those that are forbidden in the Vedas (niṣiddhakarma).
Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).
Languages of India and abroad
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusNiṣkāmakarma (ನಿಷ್ಕಾಮಕರ್ಮ):—[noun] something done without selfish motive; selflessness in performing one’s duty.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Nishkama, Karma.
Starts with: Nishkamakarmayoga.
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Full-text: Nishkamakarmayoga, Nishkama, Nishiddhakarma, Kamya, Kamyakarma, Nishiddha, Nivritti, Pravritti.
Relevant text
Search found 26 books and stories containing Nishkamakarma, Nishkama-karma, Niśkāma-karma, Niskama-karma, Niṣkāma-karma, Niśkāmakarma, Niskamakarma, Niṣkāmakarma; (plurals include: Nishkamakarmas, karmas, Niśkāmakarmas, Niskamakarmas, Niṣkāmakarmas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations) (by Makarand Gopal Newalkar)
Sūtra 4.7 < [Book IV - Kaivalya-pāda]
Karmasiddhānta [sūtras 4.7-12] < [Book IV - Kaivalya-pāda]
Yogatattva Upanishad (translation and study) (by Sujata Jena)
Part 2.5 - Branches of Yoga—Karmayoga < [Chapter 3 - Yoga Philosophy in Yogatattva Upanisad]
Selfless Service is Scriptural Injunction < [October – December, 1998]
Karma < [October – December, 2004]
Mother Teresa < [July – September, 1993]
The Gita’s Ethics (A Critical Study) (by Arpita Chakraborty)
6. Conclusion (Karma, Rebirth and Freedom of Will) < [Chapter 2 - Pre-suppositions of The Gita’s Ethics]
5. Unity of Paths < [Chapter 4 - Moral Action and Emancipation]
Bhagavatpadabhyudaya by Lakshmana Suri (study) (by Lathika M. P.)
Relation between Jñāna and Bhakti < [Chapter 3 - References to Śaṅkara’s Philosophy]
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