ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः ।
लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ।। ५.१० ।।

brahmaṇy-ādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ |
lipyate na sa pāpena padma-patram ivāmbhasā || 5.10 ||

There is nothing in the world nor in one’s activities that can verily bring bondage to the actor. If any action binds one, the reason is no other than his own erroneous attachment or identity. Neither the world nor the actions ever call for ‘attachment’ in any actor. As earth revolves and produces the seasons, so too should the human, earth’s creation, live his life, pursuing activity freely. If earth does not foster any ‘attachment’ to its mission, why should the humans invite such bane to themselves?

In fact, everyone is free to either ‘grow detachment’ or ‘remain attached’ in whatever he does. Krishna begins the discussion with the words:

He who considers all actions as an offering or dedication to the Supreme Reality, Brahman, by leaving all kinds of ‘attachment’, is not tainted by evil. He is untouched, like the lotus leaf in water.

To dedicate one’s actions to the Supreme is to ‘drop attachment’ to what one does and experiences. If, leaving attachment or identification, one performs his actions, he can, assures Krishna, remain unaffected and unbound. He brings the lotus leaf to illustrate the message. Padmapatram-iva-ambhasa – the words he uses, have become a famous quote.

The lotus leaf is lying in water always. Water often enters the leaf, remains for a while, and in another moment slips off. Below and above is water; yet the leaf remains dry.

The world as well as our interactions with it must be like this. At no time should the seeker feel any conflict with the world. His life and the world around should, instead, be beautiful complements, nourishing each other.