Krishna and Swami advise in this manner not because the desire for a reward is a sin but for a deeper reason. What is that? Let us hear Swami Himself: “When a man has the right for engaging in action, he also has the right for the fruit [of the action]. No one can deny or refuse this fruit. But the doer can, out of his own free will and determination, refuse to be affected by the result, whether favourable or unfavourable.” What is the advantage? Swami explains: “Desire the fruits of action and you are born again and again. Give up that desire and you are liberated from this recurring cycle.” That is the monumental advantage that one gains by giving up a purely worldly outlook.

Amplifying the idea, let us say a person works hard and is eagerly looking forward to a promotion. He doesn’t get it; instead, some other undeserving person gets the raise. The person who worked hard and expected a reward now feels totally shattered. One may say this is but natural. Yes, it would be natural if the person was eagerly expecting a reward.