Bhagavad Gita · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation
Chapter 18, Verse 13
"Bhagavad Gita 18.13" — meaning and explanation.
पञ्चैतानि महाबाहो कारणानि निबोध मे | साङ्ख्ये कृतान्ते प्रोक्तानि सिद्धये सर्वकर्मणाम्
pañcaitāni mahābāho kāraṇāni nibodha me . sāṅkhye kṛtānte proktāni siddhaye sarvakarmaṇām
Meaning
18.13 Learn from Me, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these five causes as declared in the Sankhya system for the accomplishment of all actions.
।।18.13।। हे महाबाहो ! समस्त कर्मों की सिद्धि के लिए ये पांच कारण सांख्य सिद्धांत में कहे गये हैं, जिनको तुम मुझसे भलीभांति जानो।।
Explanation
18.13 पञ्च five? एतानि these? महाबाहो O mightyarmed? कारणानि causes? निबोध learn? मे from Me? सांख्ये in the Sankhya? कृतान्ते which is the end of all actions? प्रोक्तानि as declared? सिद्धये for the accomplishment? सर्वकर्मणाम् of all actions.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).
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.13 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 13, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 18.13
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.13 mean?
18.13 Learn from Me, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these five causes as declared in the Sankhya system for the accomplishment of all actions.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.13 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 13, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.