Chapter V · Śloka 10
Śrī Kṛṣṇa uvāca
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः |
लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ||
लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ||
brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ |
lipyate na sa pāpena padma-patram ivāmbhasā ||
lipyate na sa pāpena padma-patram ivāmbhasā ||
One who performs actions by placing them in Brahman, abandoning attachment, is not tainted by sin — as a lotus leaf is not wetted by water.
The lotus leaf image is one of the most enduring symbols in the Gita's teaching. The leaf rests on the water, surrounded by it, yet entirely unaffected by it. To act from such a place — fully engaged yet inwardly untouched — is the essence of karma yoga.