Krishna explains how enlightened beings perform actions with detachment. Even mundane acts are seen as non-actions by the wise, revealing how a shift in perspective can transform ordinary life into a vehicle for spiritual freedom.

The senses, Krishna notes, function independently when the self is detached, freeing the mind from possessiveness. This cultivates a clear vision where actions are neither owned nor avoided, resonating with the Gita’s ethos of selfless duty.

The analogy of a lotus leaf illustrates how, in karma yoga, one can remain unaffected by worldly consequences. Actions dedicated to a higher ideal (Brahman) absolve one from attachment, teaching Arjuna about acting with inner purity.

Krishna contrasts the peace attained by selfless action with the entanglement caused by desire-driven acts. By encouraging detachment, he reveals how the mind’s liberation depends more on intent than on the nature of action itself.

The "city of nine gates" metaphor represents the body, with the detached self residing within as an observer. This analogy encourages Arjuna to view himself as distinct from his physical actions, laying groundwork for liberation through detachment.

Krishna describes how the Supreme does not create individual agency or karma but simply facilitates existence. This redefines the concept of free will, framing actions as products of one’s nature rather than divine imposition.