While doing our best, we do not rely solely on results for peace of mind.

In the previous section, we discussed what Krishna teaches. He explains that in yoga, one should be established, renounce attachment, and perform their duty while treating success and failure equally. And this equanimity of mind is called yoga.

This does not contradict striving for success. Do not stop doing your best, and do not rely on results alone for your self-worth or peace of mind. It is a practice to maintain equanimity in the midst of action, moving away from the wavering between being proud of oneself when successful and losing one's heart when failing.

Japanese Translation from the Gita Press Edition - Chapter 2, Section 48: "Equanimity is Called Yoga"

In section 47, it was taught that one should not become attached to the causes of actions or their results, and also should not be attached to inaction. Therefore, naturally, a question arises: "Then, how should one act?" The next section will address this question.

Sanskrit original text

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय ।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ॥ ४८ ॥

Romanization

yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya |
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate || 48 ||

Arjuna, practice yoga with a steady mind, renouncing attachment, and perform your duty in equanimity, whether it be success or failure. Equilibrium of the mind is called yoga. (48)

This section describes the practice process of Karma Yoga. When a practitioner of Karma Yoga abandons attachment to actions and their results, they become free from preferences, and are no longer swayed by the resulting joy or sorrow. Only in that state can one maintain equality between success and failure. As long as preferences remain, equality between success and failure cannot be attained.

By practicing equality in success and failure, a person eventually reaches a state of freedom from likes and dislikes.

There is a very close relationship between abandoning attachment and having an equal-mindedness, and these two mutually help each other to grow. Therefore, when the Lord encourages Arjuna in this verse to "perform your duty being established in yoga," it does not mean that equality regarding success and failure alone is sufficient. One must be free from likes and dislikes regarding all objects, all beings, actions themselves, and their fruits, and practice equality in performing every action.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the word "Yoga" has a special meaning. Here, it is defined as equanimity. Thus, the identity between Yoga and equanimity is shown. And, regardless of the path of practice taken, realization of God becomes possible through the attainment of equanimity. Therefore, Arjuna is asked to establish himself in equanimity and perform his duty in order to become worthy of Karma Yoga.