Chapter 5, Verse 10 (Bhagavad Gita 5.10)
Chapter 5: Karm Sanyās Yog – Path of Renunciation
Sanskrit Shloka
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः। लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा
Transliteration
brahmaṇyādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ lipyate na sa pāpena padma-patram ivāmbhasā
Word Meanings
brahmaṇi—to God; ādhāya—dedicating; karmāṇi—all actions; saṅgam—attachment; tyaktvā—abandoning; karoti—performs; yaḥ—who; lipyate—is affected; na—never; saḥ—that person; pāpena—by sin; padma-patram—a lotus leaf; iva—like; ambhasā—by water
Translation
One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is untouched by sinful reactions, just as a lotus leaf remains dry even while in the water.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse offers the secret to living fully in the world without being enslaved by it. By mentally offering every action to the Divine, one shifts the focus from ego-driven outcomes to selfless service, which cleanses the mind of anxiety and possessiveness. Much like a lotus leaf, which exists within the water but never absorbs it, a person of wisdom engages in daily life while remaining spiritually detached. This transformation allows the seeker to transcend the duality of success and failure, ensuring that internal peace remains constant regardless of external circumstances.