Bhagavad Gita 5.10

brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi

saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ

lipyate na sa pāpena

padma-patram ivāmbhasā

 

“One who offers all deeds to the Divine,

Free from attachment: notions of me and mine,

Remains forever untouched by sin,

Like a lotus leaf unaffected by rain.”

 

My dear Lord, please help me be aware that what causes entanglement is not just the actions I do, but the motivation behind those actions.

Let me not become averse to my responsibilities, thinking that they are entangling. Actually, the very emotion of aversion is itself a form of mental entanglement, where my actions are controlled by external things, albeit by dislike for them.

You teach, my Lord, that aversion may seem to be the opposite of attachment, but in reality, it is just the other side of the same coin of material consciousness. Both attachment and aversion keep my consciousness consumed by external objects, making it unavailable for spirituality. Help me, my Lord, to cast aside this entire coin of material consciousness, with its dualities of attachment and aversion.

Empower me, my Lord, to put the commitment of my consciousness to you as my first priority. With that intent of service, let me then decide whatever practical action helps me stay connected with you—without worrying inordinately about whether that action will get me entangled.

Grant me the conviction, my Lord, that devotional connection with you will immunize my consciousness to material contamination. Just as a lotus leaf stays in water— drenched but not damaged—I too will stay engaged, but not entangled.

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05.10 One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.