Those motivated only by desire for the fruits of their action are miserable : BG

This is one of the most misunderstood yet most popular verse from Bhagwad Gita. The three points mentioned in the question description are all different than what the verse actually means. Do not take the verse out of the context. In chapter 2, Arjun explains his worries and unwillingness to participate in the war. Krishna is trying to persuade Arjun who doesn't want to fight seeing his loved ones on the opposite side of the battle field. In verse 6, Arjun says "I don't know if it's better if we win or they do, as by killing them I won't have desire to live any more."

The question description mentions people taking advantage of your work and comparing yourself to others. They are your colleagues, your friends, your fellow beings. Should you really come out to be smarter then them? Krishna explains Arjun about the invincibility of the soul and it's relation with the mortal body. In verse 39, he moves to the topic of actions and rewards. He calls it "actions without fruitive desires". Now you are given a new project at work. You want to be a top-rated employee, who will finish the work far before deadline.

Now the question is, are you focusing on work, or on coming at the top? When Arjun pierced the eye of the fish, we didn't want to prove that he was the best archer. He just wanted to send the arrow straight through the eye of the fish. Now same Arjun was worried about the outcome of the war rather than actually fighting. In the end, it is all about what are you focusing on? Arjun wants to prove he's the best warrior - that's a worldly desire.

He wants to show he's considerate about his brothers in the opposite side - another worldly desire. He is scared about the unknown outcome - worldly desire again. This is what Krishna wants you to warn against. Verse 44 mentions, if you are focusing on such topics, you are not actually giving attention to what seeks your attention. Then finally Krishna says,

??????????????????? ?? ????? ??????

?? ?????????????????? ?? ??????????????????

Karmaniyevadhikaraste = karma (work) is your right.

Maphaleshu kadachanan = never the results

Ma Karmaphal Hetu Bhurmo = Don't make results of work your motive

Te Sangostvakarmani = Be attached to the action.

Never dwell your mind on the results. Yes, the result might be what you get after the work - but it should never be your concern. You must know what your duties are, and do what you are expected to do. If you don't get hike in salary, make your you do work great enough to catch eye of someone responsible for managing your salary. If it is your duty to take care of your family and you think money is meager, change your employer. Other people take advantage of your work?

If it is your organization's policy that your superiors should get the credit, they should. Else you must fight for your right. If you don't, you are just promoting their unethical practices. Should you compare yourself with others? How would it matter? Sachin Tendulkar didn't become cricketer to be the most saluted batsman ever. He just played good - and strive to be better at the game. Of course he had to learn the techniques of other players. Step by step he grew above them. Sometimes you need to compare yourself just to see what you need to do to improve. Not the fruits, but the actions.

Don't worry about your friend getting twice the money with lesser amount of work. But get inspiration from a friend who spends two hours everyday to get better at what you are doing.If you don't defeat the Kauravas, they will defeat you. But this doesn't mean you have to worry about what will happen after you are defeated or you come out to be victorious. Just concentrate on the work you must be doing.

This question and the answer to it is the essence of Karma Yoga. The path of freedom through work. Lets leave aside the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna and Arjuna for a moment. When we do any work, if we are preoccupied by thoughts of the result constantly, our work will suffer. This is but common sense. When a cricketer plays, he is asked to play one ball at a time, and not look at the scoreboard. Work produces result. This causality can never be denied or taken away. What Krishna asks Arjuna to do (there is an Arjuna in every reader of the Gita), is to focus on the work at hand and not concern himself with the result. When he fights, he fights as best as he can. When we work, we should work 100% and to the best of our ability.

What does this do? Why is it important? This attitude of working gives us what every human being in this planet aspires for - Freedom. How so? When when we give our work our complete 100%, then we work for work’s sake. Our sense of accomplishment and happiness is dependent on the work we do itself. Not what happens as a result of it. This sense of “dispassion” or vairagya when we work will give us great joy and freedom.

And not only that, we will only get the best results, as a by product. Krishna also doesn't advocate being feeling-less. When the work is done, and the result is a pleasant one and cause for happiness, it is ok to be Happy. It just so happens that our happiness wasn’t dependent on the result in the first place. So go be free. Work for work’s sake. Be a Karma Yogi. Be Arjuna in the battlefield. Jay Shri Krishna!