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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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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

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.

Five Factors of Action

  1. 1The five factors of action are the body, the performer, the senses, different efforts, and the Supersoul.
  2. 2The soul acts through the senses, but all activities depend on the will of the Supersoul, the Supreme Lord within the heart.
  3. 3Act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness under the Supersoul’s direction; such action does not bind you.

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 18.14 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.

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 18.13The 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

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

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Ask about BG 18.14 — 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.