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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.1418.16

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.15

The factors of action and the true doer

शरीरवाङ्‍मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नर: ।

न्याय्यं वा विपरीतं वा पञ्चैते तस्य हेतव: ॥ १५ ॥

śarīra-vāṅ-manobhir yat

karma prārabhate naraḥ

nyāyyaṁ vā viparītaṁ vā

pañcaite tasya hetavaḥ

Translation

Whatever right or wrong action a man performs by body, mind or speech is caused by these five factors.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Right and Wrong Actions

  1. 1Every right or wrong action done by body, mind or speech depends on five factors.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that right work follows scriptural directions, while wrong work goes against them. Both require all five factors.
  3. 3Choose actions that follow the directions of scripture.

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 18.15 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 18.14The 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.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 18.15 — 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.