KarmaNyevaadhikaaraste

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते
(You only have the right to action)

You have the right for actions but do not wait on results thereof. Advice by the Lord in His discourse to Arjuna on the battlefield.

Adhikaara is right, power, authority. Adhikaari is one who has the right, the power and the authority. Adhikaari, as a goverment officer, has the power and authority delegated to him by a higher authority. Delegated power or authority is not absolute - it is limited in its scope, and can be modified by the higher authority.

Swayaatta Adhikaara is Absolute Power as wielded by the kings of old. And by God.

A right is the proper exercise of power and authority. If a judge orders every guilty person to be hanged without discrimination, it is a misuse of power. Every punishment has an alternative suggested for lesser degree. Also, power is demonstrated by your use of discretion. As a senior officer, I sanctioned leave. I asserted my power by witholding the sanction of leave where reasons are not justified, or if exigencies did not permit staff going on leave for the time being. Judicious dispensation is necessary.

Results of all actions in this life determined by destiny which again is based on your actions in past lives. It is up to you accept them gracefully whether they are to your expectation or otherwise. No joy if the results please you and no frustration if they displease you. The attitude in accepting results determine actions and results of future births.

Well, this applies to persons who are still ego-ridden and think they are master of their destiny. They do not know that they are Nimittamaatra, just acting as pulled by the strings in God's hands. Not just the three involuntary functions as stated by science, ALL actions are "involuntary" as clearly as explained by the Lord later on. Is the growing of nails and hair voluntary? Is the tongue moving dextrouly without being cut by teeth as it moves transferring food from this to that side of the mouth and its final pushing chewed food down the throat to be considered acting voluntarily?

Prakrutistvaam niyokShati, says the Lord. GuNaa guneShu vartante, He says further. You are no better than a robot. Of course, a perfect robot, having been made by God. That's all there is to it.