Karma yoga (in my interpretation) is a spiritual philosophy that emphasizes the importance of right action and service through one's daily conduct as a path to fulfillment. If one clings too much to the "fruits" of their actions, they risk causing themselves unnecessary pain and suffering. This is because we can control which activities we engage in and our reasons for why, but we cannot control all the external factors involved, such as how much money we earn or how much praise we get from others.

The three gunas in Hinduism describe three fundamental aspects of human beings that are present in each of us to varying degrees. It is said that as long as we live in samsara (the material world), we will have to deal with the presence of all three in ourselves and others. The three gunas include:

1. Sattva, which signifies harmony and goodness

2. Rajas, which signifies passion and striving

3. Tamas, which signifies ignorance and darkness

By focusing on Sattva in one's conduct as much as possible and recognizing excesses of Rajas and Tamas, it is said that we can come closer to fulfillment in life and reduce our suffering tremendously. This seems to explain what the goal of karma yoga is. If we do our best to be honest and in harmony, we are in alignment with the unity of things, and if we are too bound to our passions or are too ignorant in certain areas of life, it can hold us back.

I obviously can't verify this is true, but ultimately someone who masters karma yoga is described as being able to transcend the cycle of death and rebirth on Earth and not take on another human life.