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Chapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness · 29 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 5 · Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
5.145.16

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 5.15

Knowledge and equal vision

नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभु: ।

अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तव: ॥ १५ ॥

nādatte kasyacit pāpaṁ

na caiva sukṛtaṁ vibhuḥ

ajñānenāvṛtaṁ jñānaṁ

tena muhyanti jantavaḥ

Translation

Nor does the Supreme Lord assume anyone’s sinful or pious activities. Embodied beings, however, are bewildered because of the ignorance which covers their real knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

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

Desire and the Lord

  1. 1The Supreme Lord does not take on anyone’s sinful or pious acts. Embodied souls are bewildered because ignorance covers their real knowledge.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the Lord allows souls to fulfill their desires but is not responsible for their actions or the results.
  3. 3Desire to attain Kṛṣṇa. The Lord takes special care of those who desire Him and guides them toward eternal happiness.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 5, Action in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness: knowledge and equal vision.

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 5.15 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.

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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 5.14Knowledge and equal visionBG 5.16Knowledge and equal visionBG 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 5.15 — 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.