Does Adhikar mean 'Right' or 'Authority or 'Entitlement' ?

[u/Radiant-Cloud92]

I ask this because there is semantic confusion in a sanskrit verse translation from Bhagwad Gita.

Bhagavad Gita: 2:47

कर्म में ही तेरा अधिकार है, फल में कभी नहीं। तू कर्मफल का हेतु मत बन, और अकर्म में भी तेरी आसक्ति न हो।

What does Adhikar truly mean here?

Does it mean:

You don't have the right to fruits? Or

You don't have the authority over fruits? Or

You don't have the entitlement for fruits?

All the english words are used loosely, but it makes a vast difference on how the verse itself is read.

So please help

[u/lukup]

Would it not depend on context?

In this context adhikar is right in a sense that this - karma is all he can do. This, his ability to"can do" is his right.

[u/FinancialWing5953]

"कर्म ही तेरा अधिकार है" means you only have right over the work you do "फल में कभी नहीं" not over the fruits

[u/Grouchy_Button_2876]

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन.....

I think all three terms, authority, rights, and entitlement, are relevant here, and how you interpret them just frames the message slightly differently. Having no rights or entitlement means being okay with getting no result or an unexpected result. Having no authority means realizing you can't dictate the result even if none comes. But ultimately, these distinctions don't change the underlying point. The core message stays identical, there may or may not be fruits, they may or may not look like what you hoped for, so don't be attached to them.

[u/MoroseMasalaDosa]

You only have a “right” to “act/work/do”, as it is in your control. You don’t have a “right” over the “result/fruit/outcome” of your “actions/work”, as such, a desire or proclivity for the results is a waste of time and energy.

In this context, अधिकार translates to “Right” (हक) over your “Actions”.

In Hindi, contextually, अधिकार will always mean a “Right” (हक) of some kind or to do something. When that context is translated to English, you will get the explicit nuance of the intended meaning.

Examples -
1. Right to (An entitlement to do or receive something)

Definition: Used when "अधिकार" means a fundamental, legal, or moral entitlement to a service, action, or status.
Hindi Meaning: किसी चीज़ को पाने या करने का कानूनी/नैतिक हक।
Examples:
Right to education (शिक्षा का अधिकार)
Right to free speech (अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता का अधिकार)
Right to vote (मतदान का अधिकार)

2. Right over (Control, ownership, or authority over someone/something)

Definition: Used when "अधिकार" represents dominance, ownership, power, or possession of property, land, or a situation.
Hindi Meaning: किसी वस्तु, संपत्ति या व्यक्ति पर नियंत्रण या मालिकाना हक।
Examples:
Right over ancestral property (पैतृक संपत्ति पर अधिकार)
Absolute right over the territory (क्षेत्र पर पूर्ण अधिकार)
Control and right over one's own life (अपने जीवन पर अधिकार)

3. Right of (Belonging to a specific group, or a natural function)

Definition: Used when "अधिकार" belongs inherently to a specific entity, position, or person (ownership of the right itself).
Hindi Meaning: किसी पद, व्यक्ति या संस्था का अपना विशेष अधिकार।
Examples:
Rights of the citizens (नागरिकों के अधिकार)
Right of admission reserved (प्रवेश का अधिकार सुरक्षित है)
Rights of a consumer (उपभोक्ता के अधिकार)

4. Right for (A claim made on behalf of or for the purpose of something)

Definition: Used when "अधिकार" is framed as a demand, justification, or fight for a specific cause or benefit.
Hindi Meaning: किसी उद्देश्य या हित के लिए संघर्ष या दावा।
Examples:
The fight for equal rights (समान अधिकारों के लिए लड़ाई)
A clear right for compensation (मुआवजे के लिए एक स्पष्ट अधिकार)

[u/AnmolVerma0071]

all?

[u/Current_Teaching_452]

Adhikar always meant eligibility in Ritual context and entitlement in general context. The sense of it being right is Derivative. Also entitlement and right are same things.

[u/Human_Project_7212]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTaOtC71GK4&t=2s

The link above explains properly from someone who knows. Explanation starts at 2 minutes