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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.1518.17

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.16

The factors of action and the true doer

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु य: ।

पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्न स पश्यति दुर्मति: ॥ १६ ॥

tatraivaṁ sati kartāram

ātmānaṁ kevalaṁ tu yaḥ

paśyaty akṛta-buddhitvān

na sa paśyati durmatiḥ

Translation

Therefore one who thinks himself the only doer, not considering the five factors, is certainly not very intelligent and cannot see things as they are.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Not the Only Doer

  1. 1One who ignores the five factors and thinks himself the only doer cannot see things as they are.
  2. 2The Supersoul sits within as a friend and conducts our actions. Beyond the four material causes, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the final cause.
  3. 3Recognize the Supreme’s role in your actions instead of thinking you act alone.

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 18.16 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.

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Ask about BG 18.16 — 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.