Chapter 5 · Karma Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Renunciation of ActionKrishna
Verse 10
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 5, श्लोक 10
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः।
लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा॥
Transliteration
Brahmany-Adhaya Karmani Sangam Tyaktva Karoti Yah.
Lipyate Na Sa Papena Padma-Patram-Iva-Ambhasa.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
ब्रह्मणिbrahmaniin Brahman/God
आधायadhayaoffering/placing
कर्माणिkarmaniactions
सङ्गम्sangamattachment
त्यक्त्वाtyaktvaabandoning
करोतिkarotiperforms
यःyahwho
लिप्यतेlipyateis tainted
नnanot
सःsahhe
पापेनpapenaby sin
पद्मपत्रम्padma-patramlotus leaf
इवivalike
अम्भसाambhasaby water
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जो ब्रह्म (भगवान) में कर्मों को अर्पण करके और आसक्ति त्यागकर कर्म करता है, वह पाप से ऐसे लिप्त नहीं होता जैसे कमल का पत्ता पानी से।
English Translation
One who performs actions by offering them to Brahman, abandoning attachment, is not tainted by sin — just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water.
Commentary (टीका)
This is one of the most beautiful and famous similes in the Gita. The lotus leaf, though growing in water, remains completely dry — similarly, one who offers all actions to God and acts without attachment remains untouched by sin. This verse captures the essence of karma yoga in a single, unforgettable image that has inspired millions of seekers across centuries.