Thirty years ago, as a young engineering student, I found myself spiraling into panic over an exam. Fear consumed me – fear of failing, fear of disappointing myself and others, fear of outcomes beyond my control. My dad, ever calm in moments of my distress, offered a pearl of wisdom that would stay with me for life.

Drawing on the Bhagavad Gita, he said, “Karm hi Dharam hai.”

“You’ve worked hard, and you know it,” he explained. “There’s nothing more you could have done. Don’t let the fear of outcomes distract you from your effort. Focus on your actions, not on the results.”

At the time, those words felt like a comforting antidote to my anxiety, but their depth was lost on me. I was too young to grasp their significance. Yet, as the years unfolded, I found myself returning to that moment again and again. What seemed like simple advice revealed itself as a philosophy that could guide not just my academic struggles but my entire approach to life.

Karm hi Dharam hai – “Action is Duty” – is an idea so simple that it almost hides its brilliance. It isn’t a call for grand gestures or complex philosophies but a profound reminder of where our focus should lie: on what we can control. Our effort, our intentions, and the integrity of our actions are always within our reach, even when outcomes remain elusive.

In moments of struggle or uncertainty, this philosophy becomes a compass. It reframes success, not as a destination but as a journey measured by how fully we commit to what must be done. Work, then, transforms from a transactional obligation into something far richer: a moral and spiritual exercise that aligns us with our best selves while shaping the world around us.

This wisdom liberates us. It frees us from the weight of comparisons, the obsession with perfection, and the paralyzing fear of failure. At the same time, it challenges us to engage fully with life – to show up, to act with integrity, and to give our best, even when we cannot guarantee the results.

I’ve seen this principle come to life in countless ways. In leadership, where impact matters more than titles. In work, where solving problems with purpose outweighs chasing accolades. In teaching, where the quiet, invisible labor of shaping lives carries profound meaning. These are the spaces where Karm hi Dharam hai shines brightest – reminding us that doing what must be done, with no expectation of applause, is its own kind of greatness.

But this isn’t blind action for action’s sake. It demands intentionality and humility. My dad’s wisdom, though delivered in the urgency of a stressful moment, wasn’t about dismissing outcomes entirely. It was about understanding effort as its own reward and seeing action as a reflection of our values. Intentionality ensures that what we do aligns with purpose. Humility keeps us grounded, reminding us to focus on what we can influence while letting go of what we cannot.

This approach fosters resilience. When we center ourselves on the work at hand, setbacks lose their sting. Failure stops feeling like a verdict and becomes feedback – a nudge to refine, adjust, and move forward. By focusing on action instead of results, we strengthen our ability to persevere and grow.

In today’s world, where success is often measured by external markers – titles, recognition, and milestones – it’s easy to lose sight of the deeper meaning of our work. Karm hi Dharam hai reframes this entirely. It invites us to find value not in what we gain but in what we give and to see the act of doing itself as inherently meaningful.

Whether I’m guiding students, collaborating on projects, or simply navigating daily life, my dad’s words continue to resonate. They remind me that effort is never wasted, even when results feel uncertain. They’ve taught me that the quiet dignity of showing up, doing what must be done, and letting go of the rest is, in itself, a form of success.

So, whenever fear or doubt creeps in, I return to that moment thirty years ago. I see my dad’s calm resolve and hear his steady voice: “Focus on your effort, not on the outcome.” Simple words, yet they carry a lifetime of wisdom. 

Karm hi Dharam hai | Action is duty.

And in that duty lies the essence of who we are.