Verse 5.10
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः। लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा।।
Transliteration (IAST)
brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ। lipyate na sa pāpena padma-patram ivāmbhasā।।
Word-by-Word Meanings
ब्रह्मणि-in Brahman
आधाय-offering/placing
कर्माणि-actions
सङ्गम्-attachment
त्यक्त्वा-having abandoned
पद्मपत्रम्-lotus leaf
अम्भसा-by water
Translation
One who acts offering all actions to Brahman, abandoning attachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Commentary
The lotus leaf metaphor beautifully illustrates the state of the karma yogi. Though living and acting in the world, one who dedicates all actions to the Divine remains unaffected by their results. This is the practical application of offering one's agency to Brahman.
Themes
karmasurrendermoksha