Whoever, establishing actions in Brahman, abandoning attachment, acts, is not stained by sin, like the lotus leaf is not wetted by water.

The classic image of the lotus. Brahmaṇi ādhāya — establishing in Brahman — is offering actions to the transcendent.

Saṅgaṃ tyaktvā — abandoning attachment — is non-identification with results. Result: na lipyate pāpena — is not stained by sin — like padma-patram ambhasā — lotus leaf by water. The lotus grows in water but is not wetted; the yogī acts in the world but is not contaminated. The surface is smooth; the yogī does not retain.