Chapter 18, Verse 15 (Bhagavad Gita 18.15)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः।न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतवः
Transliteration
śharīra-vāṅ-manobhir yat karma prārabhate naraḥ nyāyyaṁ vā viparītaṁ vā pañchaite tasya hetavaḥ
Word Meanings
śharīra-vāk-manobhiḥ—with body, speech, or mind; yat—which; karma—action; prārabhate—performs; naraḥ—a person; nyāyyam—proper; vā—or; viparītam—improper; vā—or; pañcha—five; ete—these; tasya—their; hetavaḥ—factors;
Translation
Whatever action a person performs by their body, speech, and mind—whether it be right or wrong—these five are its causes.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that no action is the result of a single factor, but rather the culmination of five distinct causes: the body, the ego, the various instruments of perception, the diverse functions of the life-breath, and ultimately, the Divine Will of the Supreme Lord. By shifting our perspective toward these five factors, Bhagwan Shri Krishna invites the seeker to relinquish the pride of 'doership,' which is the root cause of karmic bondage. When we realize that our actions are orchestrated by these cosmic forces under His supreme guidance, the heavy burden of ego dissolves, leading to true inner liberation. Thus, Yogeshwar Krishna teaches that humility and detachment are the pathways for a devotee to transcend the duality of 'right' and 'wrong' actions, ultimately finding refuge in His eternal grace.