Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 12

युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् | अयुक्तः कामकारेण फले सक्तो निबध्यते ||

yuktaḥ karma-phalaṁ tyaktvā śāntim āpnoti naiṣṭhikīm ayuktaḥ kāma-kāreṇa phale sakto nibadhyate

One engaged in yoga, having abandoned the fruits of action, attains permanent peace. One not engaged in yoga, attached to fruits by desire, is bound.

Krishna contrasts two states: the yogi (yuktaḥ) who abandons fruits of action (karma-phalaṁ tyaktvā) attains permanent peace (naiṣṭhikīm śāntim). The non-yogi (ayuktaḥ) who is attached to fruits (phale saktaḥ) by desire (kāma-kāreṇa) is bound (nibadhyate). This is the core teaching of karma yoga: attachment to results creates bondage, while detachment from results creates freedom. The yogi acts without seeking fruits—this brings permanent peace. The non-yogi acts with desire for results—this creates bondage. The difference isn't in the action itself, but in the attitude toward results.