Karma Yoga · Verse 29
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु | तानकृत्स्न्विदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत्
prakṛter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇa-karmasu | tān akṛtsna-vido mandān kṛtsna-vin na vicālayet
Confused by the qualities of nature, those of incomplete knowledge become attached to the actions of the qualities. The knower of the complete should not disturb these dull ones.
Continues the duty of the sage. Guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ — confused by the qualities — describes the mandān — dull, slow — who identifies with guṇa-karmasu and the Self.
The kṛtsna-vit — of complete knowledge — recognizes evolutionary stages. The ignorant need attachment to action; depriving them prematurely is cruelty, not compassion. Spiritual maturity includes patience with those who are on earlier paths.