The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

Renounce & Rejoice ╯
Self. Following either path faithfully will lead to the complete
spiritual vision.
It is essential in karma yoga that the selfish ego not expect
gratification from the work. When there is no selfish involvement
in work, the worker does not come to spiritual harm.
The example is the lotus: it spends its life floating in water, yet
the drops of water roll off its leaves without ever wetting them.
Similarly, as long as the karma yogis do not expect reward or
recognition, any evil that might stain them has nowhere to
cling. Such yogis are said to be detached from the outcome or
fruits of their actions ( karma phala ).
Krishna warns Arjuna that a life of work, even successful
work, cannot be fulfilling without Self-knowledge. Ultimately,
the true Self within him is not affected by what he
does, whether good or bad. Only knowledge of the Self, which
rises like the sun at dawn, can fulfill the purpose of his life and
lead him beyond rebirth.
This knowledge of the Self or Atman is, by its very nature,
also knowledge of Brahman, the all-pervading, immanent
and transcendent Godhead. Krishna says that the illumined
person sees this divine essence in all beings. He or she has
“equal vision” and sees the divine Self in all, regardless of the
outer aspect.
The last three verses of the chapter describe a state of profound
meditation called samadhi. When meditation becomes
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