Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5: Renunciation in Action

Bhagavad Gita 5.11

kāyena manasā buddhyā kevalairindriyairapi | yoginaḥ karma kurvanti saṅgaṃ tyaktvātmaśuddhaye ||

Yogis act with the body, the mind, the understanding, and even the senses alone, giving up attachment, in order to purify the self.

Modern context

Yogis use every instrument they have, body, mind, understanding and senses, and they use them as instruments. The word 'alone' means that the tools work without the added sense of 'mine'. The purpose is striking as well. The yogi works to become clean inside, and reward is not the aim. On this view any task becomes a kind of polishing. Work done attentively and without clinging slowly wears away selfishness, whatever the task produces outwardly.