Nishkamakarma, Niśkāmakarma, Nishkama-karma, Niṣkāmakarma: 3 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)

[«previous next»] — Nishkamakarma in Arthashastra glossary
Source: Knowledge Traditions & Practices of India: Indian Ethics: Individual and Social

Niśkāmakarma (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 book cover
context information

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.

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

[«previous next»] — Nishkamakarma in Vaishnavism glossary
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).

Vaishnavism book cover
context information

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’).

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Languages of India and abroad

Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nishkamakarma in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Niṣkāmakarma (ನಿಷ್ಕಾಮಕರ್ಮ):—[noun] something done without selfish motive; selflessness in performing one’s duty.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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