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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Soul & knowledgeChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.1318.15

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.14

The factors of action and the true doer

Karma · Action

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् ।

विविधाश्च पृथक्‍चेष्टा दैवं चैवात्र पञ्चमम् ॥ १४ ॥

adhiṣṭhānaṁ tathā kartā

karaṇaṁ ca pṛthag-vidham

vividhāś ca pṛthak ceṣṭā

daivaṁ caivātra pañcamam

Translation

The place of action [the body], the performer, the various senses, the many different kinds of endeavor, and ultimately the Supersoul – these are the five factors of action.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Five Factors of Action

  1. 1

    The five factors of action are the body, the performer, the senses, different efforts, and the Supersoul.

  2. 2

    The soul acts through the senses, but all activities depend on the will of the Supersoul, the Supreme Lord within the heart.

  3. 3

    Act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness under the Supersoul’s direction; such action does not bind you.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 18.13–14

Five causes of action — To more precisely explain the consciousness of one not bound by fruits of his action, Krishna refers to Vedanta Sutra.

Krishna describes five factors as the responsible causes for accomplishment of any kind of action (right or wrong) Material Causes:

1

‘Adhistaan’ — Place of action (Body)

2

‘Karta’ — The doer (That is the consciousness reflected in false ego)

Refers to the soul because he is acting to bring about the results of his activity

Supporting Ref. For soul as the knower and doer

Prasna Upanishad

Vedanta Sutra

3

‘Karana’– Senses (Instruments of action)

4

‘Cesta’ — Endeavour (Effort, exerted by life airs to move the body) Ultimate cause:

5

‘Daivam’ — Super-cause (All our activities depend on the will of the Supersoul)

Further reading

Summary Of Chapters 13 – 17: Jnana Section

Krishna cites Vedanta and analyzes activities as comprised of five factors; this is to help us perform activities without becoming bound

Most prominent of these factors is the Supersoul

Acting under the Supersoul’s direction, one is unaffected by reactions to his actions

Chapter 18, section II: Summary Of Chapters 13 – 17: Jnana Section
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. adhiṣṭhānamthe place
  2. tathāalso
  3. kartāthe worker
  4. karaṇaminstruments
  5. caand
  6. pṛthak-vidhamof different kinds
  7. vividhāḥvarious
  8. caand
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.14 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 18 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.13The factors of action and the true doerBG 18.15The factors of action and the true doerBG 2.13The self endures bodily changeBG 4.34The humility of real inquiry
Live this todayWorship Kṛṣṇa Through Your WorkA practice from BG 18.46, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction