Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3: The Path of Action
Bhagavad Gita 3.28
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः ।
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते ॥
tattvavittu mahābāho guṇakarmavibhāgayoḥ | guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate ||
But one who knows the truth about the qualities and their actions, mighty-armed Arjuna, understands that qualities are acting on qualities, and is not attached.
Modern context
The one who understands sees it differently: forces of nature are acting on forces of nature. The senses meet their objects, moods rise and fall, and the self looks on. This is not an escape from responsibility. It is a way of not being swallowed by every reaction, so that one can respond with a clear head.