Summary
Krishna begins his teachings by explaining the distinction between the temporary body and the eternal soul (Atman). He urges Arjuna to perform his duty without attachment to results.
सञ्जय उवाच । तं तथा कृपयाविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम् । विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः ॥
sañjaya uvāca | taṃ tathā kṛpayāviṣṭamaśrupūrṇākulekṣaṇam | viṣīdantamidaṃ vākyamuvāca madhusūdanaḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Seeing Arjuna full of compassion, his mind depressed, his eyes full of tears, Madhusudana, Krishna, spoke the following words.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana | mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmani ||
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.