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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.1218.14

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.13

The factors of action and the true doer

पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे ।

सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम् ॥ १३ ॥

pañcaitāni mahā-bāho

kāraṇāni nibodha me

sāṅkhye kṛtānte proktāni

siddhaye sarva-karmaṇām

Translation

O mighty-armed Arjuna, according to the Vedānta there are five causes for the accomplishment of all action. Now learn of these from Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Five Causes of Action

  1. 1Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna that Vedānta teaches five causes for the accomplishment of all action.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the Supersoul has ultimate control. Kṛṣṇa conscious acts done under His inner direction bring no reaction in this life or after death.
  3. 3For success in any activity, consider all five causes and consult the authority of Vedānta.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 18, The Perfection of Renunciation: the factors of action and the true doer.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Discern the eternal self from the temporary.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 18.13 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.

4

The story behind it

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

All stories for chapter 18 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.14The 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

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

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Ask about BG 18.13 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.