偈颂 5.115.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.85.95.105.115.125.135.145.155.165.175.185.195.205.215.225.235.245.255.265.275.285.29

Yogis, having abandoned attachment, perform actions only by the body, mind, intellect, and even by the senses, for the purification of the self.

With the body, the mind, the understanding and even the senses alone, yogins perform action without attachment, for the purification of the self.

Krishna describes how yogins act. They use body, mind (manas), understanding (buddhi) and senses, all the instruments of action, but without attachment. Their aim is ātmaśuddhi, purification of the self, which many take to mean the cleansing of the mind and heart. The word kevalaiḥ, merely or only, suggests that the faculties work while the ego's claim on them is absent. The verse shows karmayoga as a practice with a purpose: action itself becomes the means by which the inner life is purified and prepared for knowledge.