Bhagavad Gita · Verse 5.10
Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga (कर्मसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः । लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ॥१०॥
brahmaṇyādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ | lipyate na sa pāpena padmapatramivāmbhasā ||10||
Complete Shloka Translation
One who places actions in Brahman and acts after abandoning attachment is not stained by sin, as a lotus leaf is not wetted by water.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ब्रह्मणि | brahmaṇi | unto the Supreme Lord / Brahman |
| आधाय | ādhāya | dedicating / resigning |
| कर्माणि | karmāṇi | all actions and works |
| सङ्गम् | saṅgam | attachment and personal ego |
| त्यक्त्वा | tyaktvā | completely abandoning |
| करोति | karoti | performs work |
| यः | yaḥ | whoever |
| लिप्यते न | lipyate na | is never stained or contaminated |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| पापेन | pāpena | by sin or reaction |
| पद्म-पत्रम् इव | padma-patram iva | just as a lotus petal |
| अम्भसा | ambhasā | by the water it rests upon |
unto the Supreme Lord / Brahman
dedicating / resigning
all actions and works
attachment and personal ego
completely abandoning
performs work
whoever
is never stained or contaminated
he
by sin or reaction
just as a lotus petal
by the water it rests upon
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Offering action and relinquishing attachment explain the lotus comparison. It describes nonbinding action rather than immunity for any act merely called an offering.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The lotus image invites engagement without clinging to ownership and reward."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How could you stay engaged without clinging to recognition?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master calm detachment in daily work: act with full excellence and sincerity, but like water sliding off a lotus leaf, let neither praise nor blame stain your inner composure.