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Bhagavad Gita 18.13

Chapter 18, Verse 13

Part of 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yogमोक्षसंन्यासयोग

पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे।सांख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम्॥

Transliteration

pañchaitāni mahā-bāho kāraṇāni nibodha me sānkhye kṛitānte proktāni siddhaye sarva-karmaṇām

Meaning

Learn from Me, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these five causes, as declared in the Sankhya system, for the accomplishment of all actions.

Word-by-word meaning
pañchafiveetānithesemahā-bāhomighty-armed onekāraṇānicausesnibodhalistenmefrom mesānkhyeof Sānkyakṛita-antestop reactions of karmasproktāniexplainssiddhayefor the accomplishmentsarvaallkarmaṇāmof karmas
Commentary

The Self has no connection whatevr with activity. Nature does everything. The Self is the silent witness. He remains indifferent. The whole superstructure of human activity is the result of the five welldefined causes which are enumerated in the following verse. Etani These Which are going to be mentioned. Sankhya Vedanta Knowledge of the Self as taught in the Vedanta (the Upanishads) puts an end to all actions. This is the reason why the term Kritante (the end of actions) is used here. When the knowledge of the Self arises, all actions terminate. This is taught in chapter II, verse 46 To the Brahman who has known the Self al the Vedas are of so much use as is a reservoir of water in a place where there is a flood everywhere. Again, in verse 33 of chapter IV, it is said All actions in their entirety? O Arjuna, culminate in knowledge. Vedanta, therefore, which imparts knowledge of the Self, is the end of action. A liberated sage who has attained the knowledge of the Self in accordance with the instructions laid down in the Vedanta becomes a Kritakritya (one who has done everything and has nothing more to do).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 13?
Learn from Me, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these five causes, as declared in the Sankhya system, for the accomplishment of all actions.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 13 of Chapter 18 (Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.