Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5, Verse 10

English Translation

One who acts by dedicating actions to Brahman and by renouncing attachment, he does not become polluted by sin, just as a lotus leaf is not by water.

Detailed Commentary

The explanation of 'brahmaṇyādhāya karmāṇi' is that the body, senses, mind, intellect, and *prāṇa* (life-force) all belong to Bhagavān, not to us. Therefore, a Bhakti-yogi does not consider actions performed through them as his own. He believes that all actions are being done *by* Bhagavān and *for* Him, and he is merely an instrument (*nimittamātra*). Bhagavān Himself performs all actions through His senses. The body and related objects are received; they are not inherently ours. Through them, service to others should be rendered for Bhagavān. We do not have independent ownership over them. To consider them as one's own is an error. A Karma-yogi acts for the world, a Jñāna-yogi for Prakriti, and a Bhakti-yogi for Bhagavān. Bhagavān Himself is the Lord of all; hence offering to Him is supreme. 'Saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ' (one who performs actions abandoning attachment) means there should be no attachment (*āsakti*) or possessiveness (*mamata*) towards anything. According to the scriptures, *rāga* (attachment) itself is the cause of birth and death ('kāraṇaṁ guṇasaṅgo'sya sadasadyonijanmasu' – "the cause of its birth in good and evil wombs is its association with the *guṇas*"). With the eradication of *rāga*, ignorance (*ajñāna*) also ceases. From *rāga*, desire (*kāmanā*) is born, which is the root of all sins. Therefore, the abandonment of attachment (*āsakti*) as the cause of sin is imperative. To harbor attachment to deriving pleasure from an action while performing it is conducive to sin. 'Lipyate na sa pāpena padmapatramivāmbhasā' (He is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf by water) signifies that a Bhakti-yogi, even while dwelling in the world, is not bound by his actions, just as a lotus leaf remains unaffected (*nirlipta*) despite being in water. By the renunciation of attachment, all accumulated sins (*sañcita pāpa*) are destroyed. Here, 'pāpena' refers to the fruits (*phala*) arising from actions, but a Bhakti-yogi is not tainted by them. In the 28th verse of the Ninth Chapter, it is stated that, being freed from auspicious and inauspicious fruits, he does not incur any kind of bondage. Connection: Now Bhagavān elucidates the manner in which a Karma-yogi performs actions.