Chapter 18, Verse 13 (Bhagavad Gita 18.13)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे।सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम्
Transliteration
pañchaitāni mahā-bāho kāraṇāni nibodha me sānkhye kṛitānte proktāni siddhaye sarva-karmaṇām
Word Meanings
pañcha—five; etāni—these; mahā-bāho—mighty-armed one; kāraṇāni—causes; nibodha—listen; me—from me; sānkhye—of Sānkya; kṛita-ante—stop reactions of karmas; proktāni—explains; siddhaye—for the accomplishment; sarva—all; karmaṇām—of karmas
Translation
Learn from Me, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these five causes, as declared in the Sankhya system, for the accomplishment of all actions.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Bhagwan Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, guides Arjuna toward the realization that human effort alone is not the sole architect of destiny. By pointing to the five causes of action, Shri Krishna urges the seeker to transcend egoistic attachment and recognize the divine architecture behind every deed. This wisdom is essential for the soul to achieve liberation, as it fosters the consciousness of being an instrument of the Divine rather than the doer. Through this teaching, Shri Krishna invites all humanity to align their actions with the cosmic order, ultimately leading to moksha through total surrender.